While Nets VP/Head Coach John Calipari "continued to
take a massive public beating" in the aftermath of calling
Newark Star-Ledger sportswriter Dan Garcia "a (expletive)
Mexican idiot," team President Michael Rowe "reiterated"
that firing Calipari "is not an issue," according to Fred
Kerber of the N.Y. POST. Rowe: "The subject has never been
discussed." But Kerber reports that "officials within the
Nets organization yesterday privately expressed concern ...
that the public apology of the coach was not overly
emotional." One exec: "We're a little concerned" (N.Y.
POST, 3/26). The N.Y. TIMES' Selena Roberts also noted
"some within the organization were pleased he apologized,
but would have preferred more remorse from Calipari in his
two-paragraph statement" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/26). The N.Y. DAILY
NEWS' Michael James adds it does "not seem likely the Nets
had plans to discipline or dismiss Calipari." A league
spokesperson said the NBA "likely would not levy any fines
and hoped the team and reporter could work things out among
themselves" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/26).
ES CALIPARI LOCO? The N.Y. DAILY NEWS' Ian O'Connor
writes Calipari "was worried early Monday that he might be
fired." O'Connor: "Though his ethnic slur merited a
suspension and fine, not a dismissal, Calipari should face a
sobering truth. He needs to grow up or get out" (N.Y. DAILY
NEWS, 3/26). The TIMES' William Rhoden notes both the
recent remarks of Calipari and Heat announcer David
Halberstam: "The more curious aspect of the incidents is how
the [NBA] has suddenly reverted to a laissez faire approach.
The league has come down heavily on Dennis Rodman for
headbutting an official and kicking a photographer. ... Now
a coach -- ... and vice president of an N.B.A. team -- calls
a reporter 'a Mexican idiot.' The league, which has played
a game in Mexico City each of the last five years, has
chosen to stay out of it, opting to work behind the scenes"
(N.Y. TIMES, 3/26). In his column on ESPNET SportsZone,
David Aldridge writes the Nets "clearly won't fire him, but
they should suspend him. Two games, minimum, without pay."
Aldridge: "Calipari is not some nameless drone working in
the front office, who doesn't represent the organization.
He is the organization!" (ESPNET SportsZone, 3/26).
SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE: Celtics Exec VP/Head Coach
M.L. Carr: "I don't think name-calling is good in a day when
people are prepared to pull out a .9mm to settle something.
We should all be above that" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/26).
