Payton should make a public apology and be suspended from NBA TV

[Bankshot]

Any chance he was talking about red-heads?

That's what I thought he was talking about.

[BballTim]

Payton's comment about Matt Bonner after joking he thought it was Scalabrine:

"They all look alike."

Not cool. He even repeated the comment a few times. I actually don't really care about the comment. But imagine Walton or Van Gundy making that kind of comment about a black player. Imagine the protests and outrage.

It is one thing to joke about red heads, which is already in poor taste. Payton went well beyond the line.

So you're upset about it not because you're offended, but because you feel like other people would be upset about if a white announcer did it in reference to black players?

That makes absolutely no sense.

Your view point basically states "Im offended because if Bill Walton said it in regards to a black player, then he would be suspended, so I want Gary Payton suspended."

  Being against double standards makes no sense?

[bostonfan23]

This is a non-issue.

[ChampKind]

Come on Gary...there are only 2 redheads in the NBA, and you mix them up? 

[BballTim]

Come on Gary...there are only 2 redheads in the NBA, and you mix them up? 

  Not true, but I doubt either guy will be mistaken for Robert Swift.

[Celtic]

I think he just meant all the Spurs look alike. 

I am not a big fan of Payton's, I think he is pretty trbl, terrible, on TV. I really don't like a lot of the things he has said about the C's, and find him to be very foolish in regards to the NBA, but I am having a hard time getting upset about this. Gary is a fool, and has a bad attitude that's why it comes off wrong, if Barkley had said this I would probably fall on the floor laughing.

[ChampKind]

Come on Gary...there are only 2 redheads in the NBA, and you mix them up? 

  Not true, but I doubt either guy will be mistaken for Robert Swift.

I think Swift dyes his hair...last time I saw him he looked less like the world's biggest ginger kid and more like the world's ugliest WNBA player...but that was way back in October.

[housecall]

Yup. If he doesn't get suspended, then that's just a horrible double standard. Racism doesn't have to be majority to minority. Minorities can stereotyping and make bigoted comments just like majority race members can.

If he does get suspended, and he should, I always did feel like it was just a matter of time. He seems like a pretty mean spirited guy. A real jerk from what I hear on TNT.

I miss Chuck.  

According to TNT,Chuck will return to the set on Thrusday nights after  All Star Weekend.

[Finkelskyhook]

Payton's jealous.  Both Scalabrine and Bonner play 10 times the defense Payton did the last few years of the mitten's career.

[housecall]

GP is just an ignorant sounding guy period...money doesn't buy brains.

[PaulPierce34G]

imagine Walton or Van Gundy making that kind of comment about a black player.

It's not the same. History matters. Payton's comment was a joke -- perhaps a lame attempt at one, but still -- and should be taken as one.

Give me a break. I'm not saying the treatment of various races, specifically that of African Americans/blacks was anything small, but it doesn't justify by any means a person of a different pigment being able to make comments such as the one Payton made.  I am sure it was made in jest, but as a previous poster said, had Walton or JVG made the same comment talking about a black player, the NBA's phones would be ringing off the hook, Al Sharpton & Jesse Jackson would be calling for Walton or JVG's removal from NBA telecasts.  Racism does exist, and there are times when it can be used as a defense, but there are those times when others still use it as a crutch.  However, my overall point is, just because African Americans suffered for many years in this country's beginnings, and even in the 20th century, they don't have a stipulation of "It's okay to be racist against whites, but they can't be racist against us."  What is good for the goose, is good for the gander.  Nobody should be racist. And if you are, you should be able to take it just as well as you can dish it.

[celticmaestro]

Generally, I don't think a comment like this should be taken offense to no matter who says it whether he be black or white. However, in Payton's case, I don't think it was a joke. While I'm not offended, I think this is reflective of his ignorant mindset and I have little to no time for him.

In the name of consistency, I'd like to see him reprimanded for this. Wont happen, and I wont lose sleep over it, but certainly should happen.

[moiso]

I didn't hear it but it sounds pretty offensive due to the source it's coming from.  He doesn't get a pass due to past history, there shouldn't be a double standard in the present.

[Andy Jick]

This is a non-issue.

it wouldn't be if a white man said this about a black...

[BballTim]

Come on Gary...there are only 2 redheads in the NBA, and you mix them up? 

  Not true, but I doubt either guy will be mistaken for Robert Swift.

I think Swift dyes his hair...last time I saw him he looked less like the world's biggest ginger kid and more like the world's ugliest WNBA player...but that was way back in October.

  He probably does dye his hair (unless his head's completely covered by tattoos, which for him is equally likely) but I'm pretty sure he's a redhead.

  Not that there's anything wrong with that...