The Warriors’ broadcast team of Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike have drawn ire from off-hand remarks during Tuesday night’s Golden State-Denver broadcast.
Azubuike mocked Argentine Facundo Campazzo with an accent and they both implied Austin Rivers’ contract was a product of nepotism. Rivers, the son of veteran coach Doc Rivers, slammed Golden State’s announcers on Instagram for their “disrespectful” and “unprofessional” comments.
“Think this kinda funny…especially since it’s coming from a guy who has never played a game of basketball in his life,” Rivers wrote on Instagram. “His comments on myself and my teammate Facu were beyond disrespectful. I averaged 11ppg, 12ppg, then 16ppg off the bench for a loaded clippers team. While being a two way player….yet he called me overpaid?? Do u know how many guys in league made more than me while not doing half as much!?!? And still do now! But because my last name, it’s an easy diss and cop out. For sure unprofessional.”
Warriors senior vice president of communications Raymond Ridder confirmed that the broadcasters reached out to apologize to Rivers and Campazzo. The Warriors organization also reached out to apologize to the Nuggets franchise on Wednesday.
The controversy began in the second quarter of Golden State’s game against Denver, when Rivers was at the free throw line. Fitzgerald quipped that Rivers got a three-year, $35 million contract extension “when, oh wait, his dad was the coach.” (Fitzgerald is a former long-time KNBR host).
Azubuike responds, “Do you think there was some nepotism there,” in an immediate acknowledgement of Fitzgerald’s implication.
Later on in the game, Fitzgerald and Azubuike mocked Facundo Campazzo for embellishing a foul and complaining to the officials. They likened Campazzo, who is from Argentina, to a soccer player. Azubuike also used some sort of accent to tease the guard.
“How can you call this? I was wronged!” Azubuike imitated on the broadcast.
Since Tuesday, the backlash to Fitzgerald and Azubuike’s comments has been covered by Sports Illustrated, the New York Post and other large outlets. Fans have condemned the announcers on social media.
The Nuggets and Warriors were set for a rematch Thursday night in Denver, and — had the game not been postponed — it’s possible Fitzgerald and Azubuike would have addressed their remarks live on the broadcast.
