Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

[hipster.doofus7]

A transcript of comments made by L.A. Clippers TV announcers regarding Hamed Haddadi, an Iranian-born basketball player:

SMITH: "Look who's in."
LAWLER: "Hamed Haddadi. Where's he from?"
SMITH: "He's the first Eye-ranian to play in the NBA."
LAWLER: "There aren't any Eye-ranian players in the NBA."
SMITH: "He's the only one."
LAWLER: "He's from Iran?"
SMITH: "I guess so."
LAWLER: "That Iran?"
SMITH: "Yes."
LAWLER: "The real Iran?"
SMITH: "Yes."
LAWLER: "Wow. Haddadi that's H-A-D-D-A-D-I."
SMITH: "You're sure it's not Borat's older brother?"
SMITH: "If they ever make a movie about Haddadi, I'm going to get Sacha Cohen to play the part."
LAWLER: "Here's Haddadi. Nice little back-door pass. I guess those Iranians can pass the ball."
SMITH:: "Especially the post players.
LAWLER: "I don't know about their guards."

The two announcers were suspended by the Clippers for one game due to those remarks.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/nba/11/21/announcers.suspended.ap/index.html

[J.R. Locke]

Re: Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

Weenys. Iranian - US relations are not so good. Not berry good at all.

[Bellsprout]

Re: Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

Maybe they were trying to get suspended.

After all, they have to watch the Clippers every night.

[jrich05]

Re: Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

Maybe they were trying to get suspended.

After all, they have to watch the Clippers every night.

I'd watch Clippers every night over bucks and cavs

[BlueNGold]

Re: Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

I'd watch Clippers every night over bucks and cavs

LOL so you don't want to watch the best player and the best young up & comer in the league?

As for the comments, they were pretty stupid and I can see how they'd be offensive. Those guys deserved to get suspended IMO.

[Taur3asi3]

Re: Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

They were calling a Clippers/Grizzlies game the station and team are lucky that the sound of 2 gunshots didnt end up going out over the air.


Other than that no thats offensive at all. This isnt like the guy from Semi-Pro, this was 2 guys calling a game between 2 of the worst teams in the league and trying to have fun so they dont commit suicide on the air.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

They crossed the line...no suprise why some of you won't feel so.

[tehova]

Re: Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

I was watching this game and heard that exchange while it was goin on and knew immediately that it was offensive. The transcript probably doesnt even do it justice for the way it sounded on air

[dickey1331]

Re: Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

i think if was offensive and if this was national tv or something big. They would prob be fired but sine it was the Clippers/Grizzlies no one cares

[Moses Shuttlesworth]

Re: Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

lol i think its pretty damn funny, but i could see how someone would take it offensively.

[Gibbz]

Re: Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

That's really stupid to say on the air. That's something you say to your boys or something, not a listening audience.


Then again, who would be listening to a Clippers/Grizzlies game?

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

They got suspended. Such idiots

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/62913/20091121/broadcasters_suspended_for_haddadi_remarks/

[dopeboy206]

Re: Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

Let me guess thread starter is Iranian.

[J0nnD0ugh]

Re: Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

Let me guess thread starter is Iranian.

Silly observations like this is the reason why they have the TOS.

I can see why it would be offensive. These games are done live. And even though they are trained, sometime spontaneous conversation happens. And you can't tell me a similar convo wouldn't happen between alot of guys.

I'm fine w/a 1 game suspension. I'm sure the announcers meant no harm. It was a spur of the moment reaction that ,unfortunately, was recorded & said over the airwaves. The network has to assure the public they harbor no ill wil towards any race or religion.

I don't think anymore needs to be made of it.

[jrich05]

Re: Are these remarks considered "offensive"?

Meh, people take that stuff way too serious. I listen to loads of racist remarks about russians daily and I just laugh with everybody. People need to get their heads out of their asses already about racism.

LOL so you don't want to watch the best player and the best young up & comer in the league?

As for the comments, they were pretty stupid and I can see how they'd be offensive. Those guys deserved to get suspended IMO.

Kobe and Evans are not on Cavs or Bucks so idk what are you talking about