L.A. Clippers announcers Mike Smith and Ralph Lawler got suspended for one game back in 2009 for some ill-considered comments on Hamed Haddadi, the NBA's first (and, to date, only) Iranian player. Smith likened Haddadi to Borat, and Lawler expressed shock that "those Iranians" knew their ways around the court.
Clippers’ Announcers ‘Forget’ Hamed Haddadi, Remind Us Of Their Worst Moment
On Saturday, Smith and Lawler feigned ignorance of Haddadi's name when he checked into the game between the Clippers and Grizzlies.
Oh, good one guys! In one fell swoop you managed to remind fans of your worst moment and cheapen the dog-and-pony show that was the broadcast crew’s make-up dance with Haddadi and the Persian audience after that 2009 suspension.
It’s not a huge deal in the grand scheme. But it shows how unrepentant the broadcasters were in the first place, and reflects poorly on them and the Clippers ... all for a cheap laugh. Good thing the franchise they are associated with is otherwise known for an unforgiving commitment to equality and racial civility.
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