Kobe Yelled Homophobic Slur at Ref?

[CeltsAcumen]

um he might have been using the "South Park" definition for the F-bomb.  Watch last season's South Park where they delved into the racially insensitive definition of the F-bomb v. how everyone else uses the F-Bomb.

While I do not like sticking up for Kobe, I doubt he meant the homophobic version.

[jambr380]

um he might have been using the "South Park" definition for the F-bomb.  Watch last season's South Park where they delved into the racially insensitive definition of the F-bomb v. how everyone else uses the F-Bomb.

While I do not like sticking up for Kobe, I doubt he meant the homophobic version.

I don't think he meant it as the homophobic version either, but he is a big time player and lots of kids look up to the guy. Down here in FL, there are posters all over every school really trying to put a stop to that word. It doesn't help when someone like Kobe is using it in anger, especially since it came so naturally. **** and jerk are much better and more sensitive terms 

[vinnie]

It is interesting. I think it has been at least three times this year when I have heard KG clearly drop the "N" bomb while watching the game. Sure he was not aiming it at a ref, but still as inappropriate as what Kobe said.

[Finkelskyhook]

How old is Kobe, 12? Isn't that about the age kids stop using words like this?

That's about the age they start using it.

What?  Politically correct created words like homophobic?

[footey]

I can't believe this garners any serious criticism. Heat of the moment, unintended for anyone but his team mates. Let it go.

[Rondo9dunx]

How old is Kobe, 12? Isn't that about the age kids stop using words like this?

That's about the age they start using it.

What?  Politically correct created words like homophobic?

uh, no.. the word kobe used...

[Brendan]

O/T, but the word homophobic is stupid - scared of homosexuals? It's just a bigoted word, nothing less and nothing more. Unless of course he meant the ref was a freaking pile of sticks or a cigarette.

[manbehindtheman]

It is interesting. I think it has been at least three times this year when I have heard KG clearly drop the "N" bomb while watching the game. Sure he was not aiming it at a ref, but still as inappropriate as what Kobe said.

I support both KG and Kobe.  They are men playing a competitive game and I don't think they need to be courteous when they are in the middle of competition.  If they like, they can say whatever they want about my plump Irish rear end as well and I won't whine about it.

[StartOrien]

It is interesting. I think it has been at least three times this year when I have heard KG clearly drop the "N" bomb while watching the game. Sure he was not aiming it at a ref, but still as inappropriate as what Kobe said.

I support both KG and Kobe.  They are men playing a competitive game and I don't think they need to be courteous when they are in the middle of competition.  If they like, they can say whatever they want about my plump Irish rear end as well and I won't whine about it.

I'm far from a Priest, but I diagree with every word you just wrote.

[StartOrien]

Here's what I take away from NBA fines; there's just 0 consistency.

- Stephen Jackson's aforementioned situation cost him 50k and a game.
- Dan Gilbert's Comic Sans rant resulted in the same dollar amount as Kobe's "situation"
-The New York Knicks illegal training scandal only cost them 200k.

These fines just seem waaaaaay out of wack.  

UPDATE: and kobe's appealing it. Not wise.

[manbehindtheman]

It is interesting. I think it has been at least three times this year when I have heard KG clearly drop the "N" bomb while watching the game. Sure he was not aiming it at a ref, but still as inappropriate as what Kobe said.

I support both KG and Kobe.  They are men playing a competitive game and I don't think they need to be courteous when they are in the middle of competition.  If they like, they can say whatever they want about my plump Irish rear end as well and I won't whine about it.

I'm far from a Priest, but I diagree with every word you just wrote.

I don't think these men should be controlled by our PC societal standards, I like the game played at the highest level with raw uncensored emotion. 
Please explain your perspective.
Thanks,

[Eja117]

um he might have been using the "South Park" definition for the F-bomb.  Watch last season's South Park where they delved into the racially insensitive definition of the F-bomb v. how everyone else uses the F-Bomb.

While I do not like sticking up for Kobe, I doubt he meant the homophobic version.

I love South Park, but that is total total bs.

I don't think he meant a small bundle of sticks.

This would be like if a white guy got caught calling a ref the n word and people were like "I don't think he meant it racially. He probably meant it endearingly. Kinda like in Huck Finn. Everyone loves N*@@#$ Jim.  That guy is our best friend.  Or maybe he just meant it in the Ron Dellums way.  You know. Like a disadvantaged class of people"


Personally I think the league has to weigh off the problem of being Thought Police with the problem of the slippery slope. If you allow this you have to allow almost anything and suddenly you're not really all that different from that all white league we talked about last year.  Remember that league? The one dedicated to a more pure form of basketball for a different cliental?

[StartOrien]

Kelly Dwyer's just slight better of a writer than I, so let me quote him

And the discussion should end here. He shouldn't have said it on Tuesday night, he shouldn't be saying the word away from cameras, and he shouldn't ever say it again. Doesn't matter, no excuses, I don't want to hear it. There are hundreds of individual curse words to use in that situation, don't use that one. We know he wasn't trying to question Adams' sexuality, or align being gay with negative connotations. It still doesn't give you license to shout that word.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Kobe-Bryant-fined-by-the-NBA-for-shouting-a-homo?urn=nba-wp1277

I swear, I'm not preachy and I feel like any explanation sounds like all the people I hate in the media:

Kelly's right, there's a billion words in the English dictionary; roughly twelve of them are considered offensive - an even lesser amount extremely offensive. On national television, the NBA's second biggest player clearly swore and than called a referee a word that some people find EXTREMELY offensive, as in, literally the most offensive word they know.

He said he didn't mean it in "that way", but - and I think this is what makes this case different than many - he clearly used one of the most offensive/vile words in his vocabulary and delivered in the most offensive/vile way he possibly could to express his extreme frustrations.

I play sports, I understand the importance of getting fired up, I snap at teammates and go on expletive tirades all the time. I've probably even said worse; but that doesn't mean its right. To support these players who play in an extremely public format and are extremely popular is nothing short of silly.

EDIT: There's also no lack of ways to fire yourself up without having to be extremely offensive.

[Prof. Clutch]

Kelly Dwyer's just slight better of a writer than I, so let me quote him

And the discussion should end here. He shouldn't have said it on Tuesday night, he shouldn't be saying the word away from cameras, and he shouldn't ever say it again. Doesn't matter, no excuses, I don't want to hear it. There are hundreds of individual curse words to use in that situation, don't use that one. We know he wasn't trying to question Adams' sexuality, or align being gay with negative connotations. It still doesn't give you license to shout that word.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Kobe-Bryant-fined-by-the-NBA-for-shouting-a-homo?urn=nba-wp1277

TP for posting that quote from Dwyer.

[Thruthelookingglass]

Kobe has a right to use the language he prefers.  And I have the right to hate what he represents.  Or I guess "hate it even more."