Monday, November 30, 2009
Clippers announcers meet with Haddadi
new today :LOS ANGELES (AP)-Clippers play-by-play man Ralph Lawler and color analyst Michael Smith met with Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi (notes) before Sunday's game at Staples Center, where they expressed regret over the incident which earned a TV announcer game suspension.
This is the first meeting between the teams since Lawler's and Smith's off-the-cuff comments about the Iranian-born center at the last minute of the Clippers' 106-91 loss at Memphis on Dec 18. One viewer offended send e-mail to Fox Sports Network Prime Ticket.
"It went very well," Lawler told the Associated Press, about an hour before tipoff. "It's really nice to get a chance to shake hands and eyes. We reached him, he reached back, and I feel very good about it."
Before Lawler and Smith talk to Haddadi at Grizzlies locker room, they had conversations with agents and three representatives from the Alliance of Iranian Americans in the other room that coach Mike Dunleavy is used for the postgame press conference.
"He did not speak much English overall, so we have a manager to translate for us," Lawler added. "He basically showed that he had seen some of our shows and think that some people like to take what we say out of context. He understood there was no ill intent and understand our humor."
By sheer coincidence, Sunday is the day the Iranian Heritage.
"I think this is very fitting," said Lawler. "He said he had a gift for us that the manager who will bring to us later, just as a good sign that there will be. So I can not be more pleased. I'm glad to finally put it behind us."
Last Monday, when he and Smith returned to the microphone, Lawler spoke at the top broadcast duo of how much regrets the statement and the storm was created.
"He's really aware," said Lawler of Haddadi. "He had read the transcript, he had seen the video and it was fine with that."
Transcripts of conversations between Lawler and Smith, which occurred at the end of the game Grizzlies, was printed in the Los Angeles Times' Web site:
Smith: "Look who's in"
Lawler: "Hamed Haddadi. Where's she from?"
Smith: "He was the first Iranian to play in the NBA." (Smith said Iran as "Eye-courage," a pronunciation that offended viewers who complained.)
Lawler: "There is no Iranian players in the NBA," Smith repeated mispronunciation.
Smith: "He's the one."
Lawler: "He's from Iran?"
Smith: "I think so."
Lawler: "That Iran?"
Smith: "Yes."
Lawler: "The real Iran?"
Smith: "Yes."
Lawler: "Wow. Haddadi is H-D-D-D-D-D-I."
Smith: "Are you sure it's not Borat's brother?"
Smith: "If they ever make a movie about Haddadi, I'll get Sacha Baron Cohen to play a role."
Lawler: "It's Haddadi. Small is good through the back door. I think the Iranian people can pass the ball."
Smith: "Especially the post players.
Lawler: "I do not know about their guards."
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