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Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game

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theFRANCHISE
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Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#1 » by theFRANCHISE » Sat Nov 21, 2009 7:17 am

I was watching the game on espn and then changed the channel to fsn and wondered why Ralph and Mike weren't doing the color commentary and I found out why.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_ ... ppers.html

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 the viewer 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.”
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#2 » by PlinkingPanda » Sat Nov 21, 2009 7:32 am

Yeah we discussed it a little bit in the game thread. Buncha horse hockey if you ask me.

At least they didn't miss the game due to injury.
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#3 » by mkwest » Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:38 am

Player's Reaction

Many of the Clippers did not know about the suspension of veteran play-by-play announcer Ralph Lawler and analyst Michael Smith until after Friday's victory against the Nuggets.

The two missed the Denver game -- having been suspended one game by Fox -- because of comments made during Wednesday's telecast about Hamed Haddadi of the Memphis Grizzlies. Some knew beforehand when asked about it by reporters but declined comment.

"Yeah, I just found out," Baron Davis said in the locker room afterward. "But it is a business. If they offended somebody, I'm sure they didn't do it on purpose. It was nothing they did on purpose. We stick by them. They're great people. They're family men. And I think it was just an unfortunate situation. But we'd love to see them on the sideline."

Lisa Dillman, The Fabulous Forum/LA Times
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#4 » by mkwest » Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:03 am

I believe that the person calling in was not your average Clipper fan, but possibly a person of Iranian heritage or descent who tuned in specifically for Haddadi. The person that made the complaint saw him in for less than 2 minutes of garbage time where he was seemingly insulted. I personally believe that they meant no harm, and were just trying to lighten the mood of the closing minutes of a dreadful game.

I thought that rest of the commentary about Haddadi was more offensive than the pronunciation. Now, I'm not Iranian, but I would say that there are quite a few people that unknowingly mispronounce the term. Some of that is due to ignorance (simply not knowing), laziness, or just trying to pronounce it how you think it sounds (hooked on phonics style). I probably would have gotten suspended too.

It's unfortunate, but I'm sure they'll pronounce it right next time since the Clippers will be participating in the celebration of Iranian Heritage Day later this month. This event was planned before this incident.
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#5 » by mattfish » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:09 pm

I find it ironic that it's FOX that's taking this action. Has anyone even seen Fox News? There was no intent to offend anybody, and Ralph & Mike are classy guys who would never intentionally ridicule anyone except each other. I hope this doesn't discourage the two and affect their style of their broadcasts. Ralph and Mike, Clipper Nation has your back!
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#6 » by Forte IV » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:32 pm

Lawl, thats not even bad. They do that to basically every player in the league on a nightly bases anyways
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#7 » by thanumba2clippersfan » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:53 pm

I had no idea that they were even suspended. I do remember that little conversation during the game versus the Grizz. I didn't realize that the Borat thing was mentioned. Like all of you have said they didn't do it purposely and like us I'm sure they were a little disappointed on how the game was turning out and just tried to lighten the mood. The suspension is over and now they can come back.

By the way who were the commentators for us last night on Prime Ticket, I watched the game on ESPN last night.
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#8 » by JJ LoDuca » Sat Nov 21, 2009 8:28 pm

It was Michael Eaves and Don Maclean who did the commentary during the game on FSN last night. It was dreadful. Tried watching it, but had to switch to ESPN instead. It's a shame that one complainer caused the suspension- had it been a bunch of people, or even just a handful, okay. But one? Grow some, man.
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#9 » by ClipperDomination » Sat Nov 21, 2009 8:53 pm

Maclean isn't bad at all. That said Eaves was pretty awful.

The suspension was a joke. Come on, FOX.
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#10 » by loflin3hree5ive » Sat Nov 21, 2009 9:49 pm

What a joke...
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#11 » by DangerCurtis » Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:12 pm

I remember hearing them say that during the game, and having an a distant off thought of, "Hmm... that may sound offensive to some." The thought evaporated about two seconds later, and I really didn't think punishment was necessary. I mean Lawler has been the broadcaster for 30 years? and Smith 10 years? Maybe a behind the door verbal scolding, but a suspension? A bit uptight don't you think?
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#12 » by cinnamon » Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:18 pm

I don't much like the Borat comment.
And it's just as well that they will remember to make an effort to be culturally sensitive about non-U.S.-born players in future. There are an awful lot of good players who fall into that category.
I think Ralph and Mike are the best local broadcasting team in the league to listen to. At the same time, I'd rather they make the effort to be culturally sensitive than not.
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#13 » by thanumba2clippersfan » Sun Nov 22, 2009 2:40 am

I think they got the message from the suspention
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#14 » by JustAwesome » Sun Nov 22, 2009 2:32 pm

Is it bad comedy? Yes. Does it merit a suspension? No.
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#15 » by chiefmad » Sun Nov 22, 2009 7:53 pm

" Lawler: “I don’t know about their guards.” " the law is so sneaky... get over it person who complained about it. i get offended watching my team choke all the time... :lol:
Baron is right though, it was unfortunate situation ....
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#16 » by mkwest » Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:27 pm

Lawler and Smith meet with Haddadi before game

“He doesn’t speak a whole lot of English, so we had his manager translate for us,” Lawler added. “He basically indicated that he’s seen a number of our shows and thought that some people kind of took what we said out of context. He understood there were no ill intentions and understood our humor.”

By sheer coincidence, Sunday was Iranian Heritage day.

“I think it’s very fitting,” Lawler said. “He said he’s got a gift for us that the manager was going to bring to us later, just as a token of the good will that exists. So I couldn’t be more pleased. I’m glad to finally put it behind us.”

Last Monday, when he and Smith returned to the microphones, Lawler spoke at the top of the broadcast about how much the duo regretted the remarks and the firestorm it created.

“He’s totally aware,” Lawler said of Haddadi. “He had read the transcript, he had seen the video and was perfectly fine with it.”

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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#17 » by cinnamon » Sun Nov 29, 2009 11:19 pm

That is very gracious of Haddadi.
Not everyone would feel so generous if they felt their heritage and language were being mocked.
I hope Ralph and Mike plan to tread carefully in the area of ethnicity in future, even though it sounds as if they feel that if Haddadi isn't personally offended, then everything they said was fine with everyone.
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Re: Lawler/Smith suspended 1 game 

Post#18 » by thanumba2clippersfan » Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:29 am

I didn't think what they said was that big of a deal and if Haddadi didn't have a problem with it then it's all good. I'm glad there's no ill feelings on either side.
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