The series between the Warriors and Jazz has been nothing but feel-good stories so far, but unfortunately some fans in Utah had to go and ruin that for us. According to Stephen Jackson and Jason Richardson, Jazz fans crossed the line and subjected both of them to "racial slurs" during Utah's Game 2 victory. Jackson mentioned this when he was asked about the difference between playing in Utah and playing at Oracle Arena:
"Well, we're not hearing racial slurs, we're not hearing people wishing for me to go to jail," Jackson said. "That's the difference for me. I'm loved here in Oakland. I'm John Gotti in Utah."
Jason Richardson confirmed the fact that Jazz fans went to the race card when they were yelling at the Warriors' players:
"That was something new," Richardson said. "It shocked all of us. We weren't expecting that. I mean, (Jazz fans) were trying to get into our heads any way they can, but I couldn't believe anybody would stoop that low. It's nonsense."
While it's not exactly shocking that a couple of idiots in a predominantly white crowd would do something like this, it's certainly disappointing. The Warriors' fans have made themselves a story in these playoffs by passionately supporting their team, and basically willing them to victory at home. It's too bad that the fans in Utah found an uglier way to get themselves into the spotlight.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
5-11-2007 @ 2:15PM
Boris Diaw said...
They got Boozer and Williams only because they look part white.
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5-11-2007 @ 2:18PM
Alan said...
despite the racism issue, that is a pretty sweet sign
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5-11-2007 @ 2:23PM
Slick said...
Is the year 2007 or did we go back a few decades?Basketball is too diverse for this nonsense.The USA is to diverse for this.
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5-11-2007 @ 2:27PM
Andrew said...
Maybe the Warriors should pay less attention to what fans are saying and more attention to what happens on the court. People say all sorts of things at sporting events. You can't acknowledge it or let it get to you or the fans will only pour it on more.
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5-11-2007 @ 2:33PM
Mack said...
Can we really believe what Stephen Jackson says anymore? He's in his own world. J-Rich, Mr. Fan Altercation, isn't that far behind in terms of reliability.
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5-11-2007 @ 2:44PM
kaycee said...
They are just trying to take some of the attention off of the fact that they are down 2-0. I find it hard to believe that they were the victims of racial slurs.
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5-11-2007 @ 2:58PM
ray said...
there are always going to be racists. there's no reason to act surprised when we come across them. just be thankful they are in the minority.
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5-11-2007 @ 2:59PM
Jake said...
Yeah, the USA is too diverse and advanced for this...but this is UTAH! The mormons are all pureblood inbred aryan, and they refuse to consider any opinions on science, politics and society in general are that isn't a hundred years old.
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5-11-2007 @ 3:20PM
Rhinomater said...
First of all, any fan shouting racial slurs to an opposing team is a knucklehead. The game and their team doesn't need or want that kind of "help". Jazz fans have been hearing comments on their players,fans and town for years...from Derek Coleman's Uncle Tom comment regarding Karl Malone, to Mario Elle's "...you go live in Utah" to Madonna's cross dressing ex-squezze during his heyday with the Bulls.
Sounds to me like a couple of desperate guys that want to get their fans as jacked up as they can. Bottom line the Warriors are going to have to win in Salt Lake to take the series. Looks like the Jazz fans are already in their heads.
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5-11-2007 @ 3:34PM
Matt said...
I am a jazz season ticket holder and can tell you i have never, ever heard that kind of language at a jazz game. the utah fans, although very loud and at times stupid when calls go against the team, aren't a racist bunch. if a fan said something like that then they should be banned. however, did it really happen? none of the security or refs heard it. it seems to me the jazz would have had to have heard it too and you know they wouldn't stand for it either. really, most of our players are african american. Plus. the sheer stupidity a idiot fan shouting a racial slur into a game where 90% of the players are black is beyond me. it's so stupid it seems dubious. i hope we find out that this was just a made up claim.
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5-11-2007 @ 3:46PM
ssilveray said...
oh well, I guess Mr. Imus wasn't the only one after all. oops
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5-11-2007 @ 4:33PM
mark said...
more than 60% of that crowd is non-mormon you idiot - and the Jazz have several black players -- who are you -- Al Sharpton ? - Next thing you are gonna tell me us Mormons don't believe in God ? Idiot.
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5-11-2007 @ 4:44PM
wayne said...
Who would have guessed that racists and bigots wear powder blue?
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5-11-2007 @ 5:01PM
Phil said...
Don't you just love it AMERICA the beautiful. The first Amendment is working here. I don't think the framers of the BILL OF RGHTS did not intend it to be used like this.
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5-11-2007 @ 5:40PM
1blknut said...
Searched and not one comment has stated that this hostile conduct will and should not be tolerated. How could anyone concentrate. Throw them out. What about the children nearby listening. Will they also find the conduct exceptable towards blacks in the future? Simply. If you don't completely believe in the us theory then stop play acting and or hanging around and corrupting the ones that do or want to.
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5-11-2007 @ 5:50PM
earl P. said...
MORMOMS OR MORONS....SOUNDS PRETTY CLOSE. WHY WOULD ATHLETES MAKE THAT UP...IT WAS SAID...BEING A NON-WHITE SPORTS FAN -I COULD NOT STAND LARRY BIRD, TROY AIKMAN, ROGER STAUBACK, MICHAEL JORDAN, CHIPPER JONES ONLY BEACUSE THEY WERE KILLING MY FAVORITE TEAM...I NEVER ONCE THOUGHT OF YELLING AT THEM ANYTHING EXCEPT ''BOOOOOO' OUT OF RESPECT OF THEM AND THEIR GREATNESS AND OF ONES SELF.
I THINK - SON - OFA - BIATCH AFTER A LOSS TO NO ONE BUT MYSELF WAS THE EXTENT ...AFTER HOME TEAM WIN - IT WAS GREAT TO SEE GREAT PLAYERS PLAY...NAME CALLING BESIDES - YOU BUM' ANYWAY YOU SLICE IT SHOWS THE INNER CHARACTER OF THOSE PERSON ..NAME CALLING TO GOOD PEOPLE JUST DO NOT COME THAT EASY AND SHOULDN'T COME THAT EAZY TO ANYONE- BEING DRUNK AND OVER EXCITED WILL BRING FORTH THE INNER SELF/THOUGHTS...
GO WARRIORS AND BARRY.....BIGOTS COMES IN ALL COLORS SIZES AND SHAPES...AND SOME PREACH THE HIGHEST NOBILITY..ONE LOVE....
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5-11-2007 @ 6:10PM
Kent Dixon said...
No 16 Quit yelling. and you put MICHAEL JORDAN, CHIPPER JONES in with all those white boys. And its hard to understand what you are writing, write in Word Perfect next time and do a spell check so you can correct all your errors.
"Why would athletes make that up" Are you kidding? they make it up to get as many people on there side and against the opponent. I would beleive everyone in Utah before I would beleive Stephen Jackson. Is this the same Stephen Jackson, accused of firing a gun during a fight at an Indianapolis strip club and up for a few felony counts, ...The same Stephen Jackson that went into the stands after anyone he could see regardless of what they did, just blindly going after anyone and everyone and punching them. Larry Bird knew what he was doing in getting rid of this germ. And once his trial is on he will be in the slammer.
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5-11-2007 @ 6:25PM
watteau said...
Utah's plays almost all whites and their black players are almost all passing for white. Mormon or not Utah is a vestige of a bygond era. They won two home games big deal. They split with the Warriors during the season and this will go to 7 games. They will need luck to pull off wins like their first two
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5-11-2007 @ 6:33PM
norman said...
This is ridiculous!! I live in the bay area and to hear this B.S. I can't believe that the fans in UTAH would stoop that low. It's one thing to say stephen jackson has some issues but to say that J-Rich is not far behind! This obviously show you guys are a bunch of racist a-holes. J-Rich is a stand up guy and if you losers actually knew anything about the dallas fan situation, you would know that another dallas fan said that the fan claiming J-Rich pushed him actually put his hands on J-Rich first. I have met J-rich at several community events in alameda county and know what he stands for. I know he was not lying about the racism in utah. Please refrain from posting B.S. about players if you have no knowledge of their character....
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5-11-2007 @ 7:01PM
growup said...
Searched and not one comment has stated that this hostile conduct will not be tolerated or is it commonplace. How could anyone concentrate. Fans here and elsewhere would have helped throw them out because we or they believe in togetherness and fair play. What about the children nearby listening and learning. Will they also conclude that this is an exceptable behavior towards blacks. Hopefully a few bad apples did not ruin the bunch.
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