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.
