SunOfHollywood.com

NBA Comissioner David Stern fined Kobe Bryant $100,000 for what he said were “offensive and inexcusable” comments made during last night’s home game against the San Antonio Spurs.  Kobe used an expletive and an anti-gay slur against a referee after giving the Lakers star a technical foul.

Kobe apologized publicly today stating that his use of the word were used in the heat of the moment of the game, and do not reflect the way he feels about the gay and lesbian community.  Kobe also had a phone conversation with Joe Solomonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign, apologizing for his actions.

Solomonese gave a statement that he had a very sincere conversation with Kobe, and they applaud his ability for Kobe to take responsibility for his actions.  Solomonese also applauded Comissioner Sterns decision to fine Kobe and to issue the proper statement to the world for Kobe’s actions at a time when “bullying” is also at an all time high around our country, and our world.

Comissioner Stern said in a statement Wednesday:

“Kobe Bryant’s comment during last night’s game was offensive and inexcusable. While I’m fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated. Accordingly, I have fined Kobe $100,000. Kobe and everyone associated with the NBA know that insensitive or derogatory comments are not acceptable and have no place in our game or society.”

$100K is a drop in the bucket for Kobe, so while this may be harmful towards his image for now, if he really wanted to punish him, he should’ve done something like a 3 week suspension without pay, especially now while teams are still fighting for their playoff standings.

But guess what, I’m from LA so I probably wouldn’t want that !

What I’ve never understood, is how much profanity occurs on an NBA court during any given game.  You would think they would all know by now that there’s damn near 40 video cameras floatin’ around these stadiums at all times, and peeps with microphones and everything.  Come on now, you know you hear it on tv all the time, when they’re playin and yell out things like “shi!t!” or “m@ther#ucker”.  And we always laugh.

Somebody aint laughin no more

Photo: WireImage/Noel Vasquez