National Sports Journalism Center

The Los Angeles Clippers suspended play-by-play man Ralph Lawler and analyst Mike Smith for Friday night’s game for comments made during Wednesday’s telecast, Diane Pucin writes. The comments came in reference to Hamed Haddadi, the first Iranian player in the NBA. The broadcasters discussed Haddadi for about 40 seconds, an exchange Pucin reports here. A Fox statement said: "We regret the remarks made by Clippers announcers Michael Smith and Ralph Lawler during Wednesday’s telecast. While we believe that Michael and Ralph did not intend their exchange to be offensive, the comments were inappropriate. We extend our apologies to Hamed Haddadi of the Memphis Grizzlies and to anyone who was offended. We have addressed the situation with Michael and Ralph and have taken appropriate action." || Tom Hoffarth says one email led to suspensions. Here. || Political correctness invades NBA. Here. || Update (11/23): Video of comments via Huntington Post. Here.