Clippers announcers suspended one game for insensitive comments
Clippers announcer Ralph Lawler
Clippers longtime play-by-play announcer Ralph Lawler and color analyst Michael Smith paid the price for some insensitive comments about Iranian-born Memphis Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi on the Fox Sports Prime Ticket telecast last Wednesday. They were suspended for the Clippers’ telecast against the Denver Nuggets after a viewer who e-mailed Fox to complain.
Michael Eaves and Don MacLean, who regularly serve as halftime and postgame analysts, substituted for Lawler and Smith on the broadcast.
“That’s unfortunate. It was pretty strange not seeing them there,” Clippers point guard Baron Davis said after the Clippers’ 106-99 victory. “Ralph and Mike are very classy guys, and they didn’t do it to hurt anyone.
“A lot of times when you’re commenting on games, it’s a source of entertainment. And a lot of times, people may take offense. But the viewers need to understand that it’s entertainment, and people are entitled to their opinion. I stand by Ralph and Mike because they’re great guys and they only want to support and help everybody in the league.”
Lawler, 71, is in his 31st season doing Clippers games, and Smith is in his 12th.
“We regret the remarks made by Clippers announcers Michael Smith and Ralph Lawler during Wednesday’s telecast,” Fox said in a statement before the game. “While we believe that Michael and Ralph did not intend their exchange to be offensive, the comments were inappropriate.”
The transcript of the conversation between Lawler and Smith, which occurred late in the game, was printed on the Los Angeles Times’ Web site:
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.”
Top 10 college telecasts: Ohio State-Michigan tops weekend
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez
The traditional Ohio State-Michigan rivalry game tops the week, even though the Wolverines are struggling this season at 5-6 overall and 1-6 in the conference under coach Rich Rodriquez. Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) needs a victory to wrap up an outright Big Ten championship.
All games Saturday unless noted with Wednesday’s Latest Line.
1. No. 9 Ohio State at Michigan, 11 a.m., ABC (OSU by 12)
2. No. 10 LSU at Mississippi, 2:30 p.m., CBS (Miss by 3)
3. No. 13 Penn State at Michigan State, 2:30 p.m., ABC (PSU by 3)
4. Oklahoma at Texas Tech, 11:30 a.m., FSN (OU by 4)
5. No. 11 Oregon at Arizona, 7 p.m., ABC (not in Big 12 region) (Ore. by 5)
6. Colorado at No. 12 Oklahoma State, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, ESPN (OSU by 15)
7. Kansas State at Nebraska, 6:45 p.m., ESPN (Neb. By 15)
8. No. 6 Boise State at Utah State, 8:30 p.m. Friday, ESPN2 (BS by 23)
9. No. 2 Mississippi State at Arkansas, 11:20 a.m., SEC (Ark by 10)
10. Kansas at No. 3 Texas, 7 p.m., ABC (Texas by 27)
Also worth a look:
Minnesota at No. 15 Iowa, Noon, ESPN (Iowa by 9)
Kentucky at Georgia, 6:45 p.m., ESPN2 (Georgia by 7)
N.C. State at No. 16 Virginia Tech, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (VT by 20)
Virginia at No. 18 Clemson, 2:30 p.m., ESPN (Clemson by 19)
Duke at No. 21 Miami, Noon, ESPNU (Miami by 17)
San Diego State at No. 23 Utah, 3 p.m., Versus (Utah by 17)
Vanderbilt at Tennessee, 6 p.m., ESPNU (Tenn. By 17)
Gruden’s new multiyear deal good news for MNF viewers
Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden’s new multiyear deal with ESPN is good for “Monday Night Football” viewers. Gruden has been a great addition to the broadcasts, giving a boost to even bad games, such as Baltimore’s 16-0 victory over Cleveland on Monday night.
He’s been insightful and clever. He’s not afraid to give his opinion, such as sticking up for Patriots coach Bill Belichick and his decision to go for it on fourth and 2 from his own 28.
However, I’m still skeptical if a good coaching job comes around, Gruden won’t hesitate to wave goodbye to the Worldwide Leader of Sports to return to the coaching sidelines. Coaching is in his blood.
ESPN spokesman Bill Hoffheimer said the network is planning on Gruden sticking around for several more years.
“Jon is committed to MNF for multiple years and his decision to sign this extension is a clear indication of his commitment to ESPN,” Hoffheimer told the Sporting News. “He will not be seeking any coaching positions for the foreseeable future. We expect to have him here at ESPN for a long time.”
According to the ESPN release, Gruden also will work on ESPN Radio’s 2010 Rose Bowl and Bowl Championship Series title game broadcasts, where he will team with Mike Tirico.
