Author Topic: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment  (Read 16039 times)

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OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« on: April 13, 2018, 02:38:53 PM »

Offline bdm860

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So Thunder play-by-play announcer Brian Davis made a comment about Westbrook in their final game, basically in awe of Westbrook's performance:

https://streamable.com/2kkiy

Thunder have suspended him 1 game for that comment.

https://www.si.com/nba/2018/04/13/thunder-russell-westbrook-brian-davis-announcer-comment

Quote
"We think obviously the use of that term is offensive and inappropriate, and I expressed that to Brian [Wednesday] night," Mahoney told Katz. "Brian assures me it was not meant in any derogatory way, and he apologizes. But again, we feel strongly that it's inappropriate and offensive."

And Davis has since released this statement:
Quote
It is with great remorse and humility that I accept this suspension for the insensitive words I used during Wednesday's broadcast. While unintentional, I understand and acknowledge the gravity of the situation. I offer my sincere apology and realize that, while I committed a lapse in judgment, such mistakes come with consequences. This is an appropriate consequence for my actions.

The reaction I've seen from most people is that they thought this was a common phrase that they didn't consider racist, but now that they think about they can see how it seems racist.  I'm with them.  And really a one game suspension is a slap on the wrist here, no big deal.

But anyway, I seemed to be on the opposite side of most here on the opinion of the Patty Mills incident.  Interested in what people here think about this whole situation.

Inexcusable?  Obviously racist?  Not racist?  Should be fired?  Overreaction?  Too PC? Etc.

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Re: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2018, 02:47:00 PM »

Online Donoghus

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It's racist and something you really can't get away with saying in today's world but I don't think Davis' intent was malicious at all. 

More just a slip of the tongue than anything.


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Re: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2018, 03:08:19 PM »

Offline Kuberski33

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Not the best choice of words but people forget it's live TV.  There are no edits or do overs when you're live and to expect someone to be 'on' all the time for however many broadcasts they do is just a little unreasonable.  How many times does OKC (or most NBA teams) mail in a game and play like crap? Are announcers not allowed to have a mulligan or two?

You have on your game for 2 to 3 hours a night, probably 90+ times a year - to people who jump all over the guy for one slip up I'd say be real. 

I'm sure those lobbing the grenades have never had an off day at work ever.  On the other hand if there's a history of this stuff, that's different - but otherwise people are just too hypersensitive. 

Re: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2018, 03:09:45 PM »

Offline Birdman

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Nooooo...just an old saying..has nothing to do with race geez
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Re: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2018, 03:10:46 PM »

Offline celticsclay

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Not the best choice of words but people forget it's live TV.  There are no edits or do overs when you're live and to expect someone to be 'on' all the time for however many broadcasts they do is just a little unreasonable.  How many times does OKC (or most NBA teams) mail in a game and play like crap? Are announcers not allowed to have a mulligan or two?

You have on your game for 2 to 3 hours a night, probably 90+ times a year - to people who jump all over the guy for one slip up I'd say be real. 

I'm sure those lobbing the grenades have never had an off day at work ever.  On the other hand if there's a history of this stuff, that's different - but otherwise people are just too hypersensitive.

This is how I feel. If this guy was really racist and there was malicious intent, it would have come out earlier spending thousands of hours doing live play by play for a sport that majority african american players.

Re: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2018, 03:31:45 PM »

Offline bdm860

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Definitely come a long way from Cedric Maxwell telling Violet Palmer to get back in the kitchen.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/28/AR2007022802150.html

No punishment when he said that back in '07, don't think he'd come out of that with his job intact today.  And for the record, that was DEFINITELY inappropriate, no argument from me there.  I'm just surprised how times have changed so much since then.

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Re: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2018, 03:32:19 PM »

Offline nickagneta

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I always thought of it as an old saying used as a substitute for swearing and never considered it racist. I guess it must be of southern origin and probably started as a slight to slaves. Still, over 300 years later, does it really mean the same thing?
« Last Edit: April 13, 2018, 03:45:31 PM by nickagneta »

Re: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2018, 03:40:43 PM »

Offline greg683x

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I always thought of it as an old sayingaused as a substitute for swearing and never considered it racist. I guess it must be of southern origin and probably started as a slight to slaves. Still, over 300 years later, does it really mean the same thing?

this is kinda where im at.  Ive heard the phrase a ton of times over the years whether it be someone saying it or hearing it on tv.  Its one of those things you just never think of the meaning behind it, its just a saying people have said
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Re: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2018, 03:42:58 PM »

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Really? I mean really?
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Re: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2018, 03:43:53 PM »

Offline celticsclay

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Definitely come a long way from Cedric Maxwell telling Violet Palmer to get back in the kitchen.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/28/AR2007022802150.html

No punishment when he said that back in '07, don't think he'd come out of that with his job intact today.  And for the record, that was DEFINITELY inappropriate, no argument from me there.  I'm just surprised how times have changed so much since then.

I had forgotten about that! Crazy indeed

Re: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2018, 03:46:58 PM »

Offline nickagneta

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I always thought of it as an old sayingaused as a substitute for swearing and never considered it racist. I guess it must be of southern origin and probably started as a slight to slaves. Still, over 300 years later, does it really mean the same thing?

this is kinda where im at.  Ive heard the phrase a ton of times over the years whether it be someone saying it or hearing it on tv.  Its one of those things you just never think of the meaning behind it, its just a saying people have said
Yeah, I am pretty sure the first time I heard it was on television, like a Bugs Bunny cartoon or an old western movie or something like that.

Re: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2018, 03:52:51 PM »

Offline apc

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Sounds pretty bad to me.
And I am usually not over sensitive for racist type stuff.

Re: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2018, 04:15:43 PM »

Offline RodyTur10

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Sounds pretty bad to me.
And I am usually not over sensitive for racist type stuff.

I feel the same way. TP.

Re: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2018, 04:15:51 PM »

Offline gift

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It certainly sounds insensitive, but not racist. Like I'm not offended and I know probably 99% of people wouldn't be offended until they were told to be.

I think we still say a lot of things that sound bad and no one even takes note. Like calling people "black" is totally ok today. It feels weird to me and I'd put some money down that it will sound offensive in some future generations.

Re: OKC announcer suspended 1 game for offensive comment
« Reply #14 on: April 13, 2018, 04:16:21 PM »

Offline hwangjini_1

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Nooooo...just an old saying..has nothing to do with race geez
hmmm....actually in response to your post, yes it is old. no, it is very much connected to race. it was an old term when i was growing up, but it clearly was connected to the cotton fields and slavery.

it is not appropriate nowadays. but it was also not intended, i think, to be a ill-intended remark.
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