Clippers' announcers suspended
The Clippers' broadcast team of Ralph Lawler and Mike Smith has been suspended for one game due to comments made about the Grizzlies' Hamed Haddadi.
During Wednesday's Grizzlies/Clippers game on FS Prime Ticket, Lawler and Smith engaged in a brief conversation about Haddadi, the only Iranian player in the NBA. Here is a brief except of the exchange, which was published on the Los Angeles Times' website.
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 Baron 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.”
It was unclear exactly which part of the exchange prompted the suspension.
In a statement, FOX called the comments "inappropriate," and apologized to Haddadi "and to anyone who was offended."
Michael Eaves and Don MacLean filled in for Lawler and Smith on Friday's Nuggets/Clippers telecast.
(Los Angeles Times, twitter.com/benmaller)




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