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Ralph Lawler, Mike Smith suspended for tonight's Clippers telecast[/h1]
November 20, 2009 | 5:32 pm
Veteran play-by-play man
Ralph Lawler and analyst
Mike Smith (above, left and right) were suspended fortonight's Clippers telecast on Fox Sports Prime Ticket for comments made during Wednesday's telecast, according to sources with knowledge of thedecision but not authorized to speak publicly.
Fox issued this statement at 5:03 p.m. today: "We regret the remarks made by Clippers announcers Michael Smith and Ralph Lawlerduring Wednesday's telecast. While we believe that Michael and Ralph did not intend their exchange to be offensive, the comments were inappropriate. Weextend our apologies to
Hamed Haddadi of the Memphis Grizzlies and to anyone who was offended. We have addressed the situation with Michaeland Ralph and have taken appropriate action."
Wednesday's comments came near the end of a dreary Clippers loss, 106-91, in Memphis as rookie Haddadi
, a 7-foot-2 center and the firstIranian player in the NBA, came into the game.
In a 40-second exchange Lawler and Smith began talking about Haddadi. A Clippers fan who watched Wednesday's telecast complained about the verbalexchange and said he received an apology today from Fox Sports.
Here is the exchange:
Smith: "Look who's in."
Lawler: "Hamed Haddadi. Where's he from?"
Smith: "He's the first Iranian to play in the NBA." (Smith pronounced Iranian as "Eye-ranian," a pronunciation that offended theviewer who complained.)
Lawler: "There aren't any Iranian players in the NBA," repeating Smith's mispronunciation.
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 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."
Stay tuned to l
atimes.com/sports for the full story.
