INDIANAPOLIS -- There is no evidence an Indiana fan made
racial slurs against Philadelphia guard Allen Iverson during a game
at Conseco Fieldhouse, a Pacers spokesman said Thursday.
| |  | |
| Iverson |
NBC taped Iverson shouting a derogatory remark
back to the fan near the end of the 76ers' 86-81 victory on Sunday.
The remark was a derogatory term for gays.
Pacers president Donnie Walsh said he was unaware of the
allegation until Wednesday and would investigate the matter.
However, on Thursday, Pacers spokesman David Benner said team
officials "found no evidence that a racial slur was used, so as
far as we're concerned, it's over."
Walsh said the Pacers had talked to security officers who were
stationed near the visiting team's bench. The racial remarks
reportedly came from a fan in that area, Walsh said.
The guards told the Pacers that Iverson and the fans were
cursing but that no racial epithets were uttered.
"I don't think we want to know what everybody in the arena was
saying, but if something racial was said from behind the bench, we
want to know that," Walsh said.
Even if someone did say something, Walsh said he doesn't believe
the Pacers could take action now.
"I don't know that we could do anything if we don't know who
said it," Walsh said. "But if it did happen, we'd want to know
why the fan wasn't ejected."
Iverson scored 27 points during the game, including 16 in the
fourth quarter when the 76ers pulled away for their 13th
consecutive road victory.
Philadelphia general manager Billy King downplayed the alleged
incident.
"I think there were things that were said to Allen on the court
and I think Allen responded," King told. "I think a lot
of players respond. I don't think Allen was being derogatory to any
group of people or anything like that. I think it was back and
forth between a fan."
Iverson was criticized by NBA commissioner David Stern in
October for lyrics that were deemed offensive to women and gays,
which appeared on a rap album he cut.
|
|
ALSO SEE
Iverson says verbal abuse from fans prompted slur
What you had to say about Iverson's retaliation
Dan Patrick: Mixed feelings, bad raps
AUDIO VIDEO
 NBC's Mike Breen explains the scene in Indiana where the Allen Iverson cursing incident occurred.
wav: 1509 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Billy King says that Allen Iverson did not intend to hurt anyone with his remarks.
wav: 135 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
|
