Ralph Lawler, Mike Smith suspended from telecast after joking about Iranian Hamed Haddadi

Smith: Look who’s in. 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.