Political correctness invades the NBA

By John McMullen

Philadelphia, PA - I'm not a big fan of political correctness, the all-encompassing term that virtually regulates peoples thoughts and behaviors on gender, racial, cultural and sexual orientation matters.

It's always been my thesis that political correctness has no place in a free society aiming to reach a higher cultural plane where people actually accept each others' differences.

Simply put, stymieing communication is never the answer.

That's not to say all people are open-minded and willing to accept those differences that inevitably crop up between different ethnic, religious or social groups.

Franois-Marie Arouet, better known as Voltaire, the French essayist and philosopher known for his defense of civil liberties once said: "I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it."

Of course, it's easy to defend the free speech of someone you agree with. Only when you allow someone with a differing view the same right are you on to something.

I'm not sure Clippers play-by-play announcer Ralph Lawler and color analyst Michael Smith even know of Voltaire but I couldn't help thinking about his famous quote after the Clips duo was suspended for one game by the Fox Sports Prime Ticket cable network for their "joke" about Memphis center Hamed Haddadi.

There is no question Lawler and Smith laid an egg when discussing the Iranian- born center during Wednesday night's telecast from Memphis.

Here's the transcript of Lawler and Smith's remarks from the Los Angeles Times' Web site:

Smith: "Look who's in."

Ralph Lawler and Michael Smith laid an egg when discussing Iranian-born Hamed Haddadi.

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."

After reading that I'm pretty sure Daniel Tosh is very secure with his gig at Comedy Central. A bad attempt at humor by Lawler and Smith fell flat but is that worthy of a suspension?

In today's world, that's a no-brainer and the pairing had to sit out a game.

"We regret the remarks made by Clippers announcers Michael Smith and Ralph Lawler during Wednesday's telecast," FOX said in a statement. "While we believe that Michael and Ralph did not intend their exchange to be offensive, the comments were inappropriate."

At least FOX acknowledged the obvious, the fact that Lawler and Smith weren't trying to offend anybody. And, at the end of the day, the whole episode was a no-harm, no-foul situation. FOX issued a punishment that clearly lacked teeth and the P.C. police were fed and placated.

The 71-year-old Lawler, in his 31st season doing Clippers games, and Smith clearly weren't all that well-versed on Iran and this little faux pas, along with the consequences that stemmed from it, aren't going to make them thirsty to educate themselves.

As usual, when the political correctness crowd is involved, nothing gets accomplished.