The NBA has fined Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas for using a “derogatory” word for gays during a short interview with TNT’s Jared Greenberg.
TNT cornered Thomas and fellow player Spencer Dinwiddie down on the court after the Nets’ 116-105 win against the Chicago Bulls last Thursday, and Greenberg brought up Dinwiddie’s comment earlier in the week when he joked that while the Nets may not have acquired the best players in its recent trade, it got “the best-looking” ones, Nets Daily reported.
In reply, Thomas laughed and told Greenburg, “I seen it. But I was like, ‘Man, he just talking.’ We already had good-looking dudes,” then added, “no homo.”
Cam Thomas: “We already had good looking guys… no homo.” ?#NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/ZnTB9MRtcv
— ‘ (@_Talkin_NBA) February 10, 2023
Thomas quickly realized his off-the-cuff comment was a big mistake and that he had just walked into a woke minefield. He jumped to Twitter after the game and offered an apology.
“I want to apologize for the insensitive word I used in the post-game interview. I was excited about the win and was being playful. I definitely didn’t intend to offend anyone, but realize that I probably did. My apologies again. Much love,” he wrote.
I want to apologize for the insensitive word I used in the post-game interview. I was excited about the win and was being playful. I definitely didn’t intend to offend anyone, but realize that I probably did. My apologies again. Much love ?❤️
— Cam Thomas (@24_camthomas) February 10, 2023
But the apology was insufficient to stave off the NBA’s reprisal for the “no homo” quip.
According to a post at the NBA’s office of communications, Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars lowered the boom on Friday. They leveled a $40,000 fine on the 21-year-old player.
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/DBtgkZ0ZoM
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 10, 2023
This is Thomas’ first NBA fine.
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