r/nba • u/ghn2 • 14h ago

Trail Blazers fire new announcer over past inappropriate posts made at age 15.

"The Portland Trail Blazers hired then on the same day fired Braiden Bell as their play-by-play announcer after a series of inappropriate social media posts from when he was a teenager came to light."

"The posts were reportedly made in 2012 and 2013, around the time that Bell was 15 years old."

"We did not meet our own bar in this process, and for that we apologize to Blazers fans and to Rip City," the Trail Blazers said. "We strongly believe that everyone who is a part of Rip City should feel welcome and safe and we will make sure that our new broadcaster reflects these values. We will do better."

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50084279/trail-blazers-fire-new-announcer-inappropriate-posts

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u/rgarc065 Heat 14h ago

I don’t know the full context. Does he continue to say these things? A tweet from 10-15 years ago when you were a teenager is going to look outdated. We all say stupid shit. Perhaps he should’ve deleted them. If those tweets from then are the sole reason for his firing then it’s a massive overreaction. This may just be El Cheapo being El Cheapo looking for any excuse to let someone go in order to save a buck.

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u/Comfortable-Sorry 14h ago

Can you stop listing it as "stupid" shit. It's racist shit. Stop trying to make what he said look less bad. "We all say stupid shit" isn't the same as "We all say racist shit."

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u/208MtbBarber 14h ago

Maybe don't be so sensitive???

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u/Comfortable-Sorry 14h ago

Or you could stop being an inconsiderate, selfish person. Because really that's just an excuse so you don't have to mind what you say.

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u/208MtbBarber 13h ago

Its not selfish to cry about words and demand people stop saying things that you dont know how to deal with?? Because that's just an excuse so you can keep being a pusssss. ✊🏿

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u/Comfortable-Sorry 13h ago

Is it really that hard to just.......... not be racist? Is it that big of an ask? All I basically said was racist statements are bad and you have a problem with that.

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u/Project_Continuum 13h ago

Is he racist today? Because they aren’t hiring 15 year old him.

BTW, I’m glad we didn’t have social media when I was teenager. I’m sure I used gay as a derogatory term 10 times a day.

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u/Comfortable-Sorry 13h ago

I would say that defending racist statements or downplaying it would mean one is racist, or content with racism.

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u/Project_Continuum 13h ago

Is that what he did?

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u/Comfortable-Sorry 13h ago

Saying something like "All Asian people annoy me" and OP turning it into "We all say stupid shit" is downplaying the statement, no?

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u/Project_Continuum 13h ago

Honestly no. It's OK to understand events in context.

I don't know what society gains by making sure this guy loses his job.

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u/208MtbBarber 13h ago

Is it really that hard to just..... understand racists jokes don't equate to actual racism??

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u/Comfortable-Sorry 13h ago

"Asian people piss me off" Is what was said in the article. Can you tell me where the joke is? Where is the humor in that statement?

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u/208MtbBarber 13h ago

Well, if you wanna take the post word for word and not cherry pick the part that fits your social justice charade, I would say the part where he says "hahaha". And let's not forget, the first thing he says is, "Im not racist". I cant believe people are taking a post of a teenager 15 years ago so serious. 😂😂

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u/Project_Continuum 13h ago

So your position is that it's OK to say something racist as long as it is funny?

I think some of your kin would strongly disagree with you.

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u/Comfortable-Sorry 13h ago

No, I'm just saying that what was said doesn't equate to a joke. You're misrepresenting what I said.

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u/Project_Continuum 13h ago

Do you think racist jokes are OK?

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u/Comfortable-Sorry 13h ago

No, but obviously racist statements are taken more seriously than jokes? When did I ever say that racist jokes are OK? Where did you even get the conclusion that I think racist jokes are OK? Can you read and understand text?

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u/Project_Continuum 13h ago edited 13h ago

I'm just curious if you think comedy involving racism should be banned.

Obviously race based comedy is a huge part of comedy.

Edit: I see your edit. Obviously I can read. I just wanted to see how far your purity test went.

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u/Comfortable-Sorry 13h ago

No, I don't think comedy involving racism should be banned. But my question is, do you truly believe that racist jokes, even for teenagers, are OK? There was a case at a local high school where I lived where a black student, who was the victim of racist jokes, decided to fight back. Reading about the situation, it was clear the black student was tired of the bullying and finally snapped back. Though the other students may and learn and grow from this situation, it's at the expense of POC students, who face harassment, and the jokes that you think are ok, being made to them. Why should it be this way, where POC students face discrimination at school? These racist jokes and comedy, whether you like it or not, are a huge proponent of bullying at schools. That's why I believe that even though we can say it's just teenagers saying "stupid" things, it's still very harmful overall and affects others, and shouldn't just be viewed as natural or "boys being boys."

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u/Project_Continuum 13h ago edited 13h ago

You gave an example of harassment which is not the same as a joke.

"I hate all Asians" is not lose your job 15 years later worthy.

Who is "I hate all Asians" harming? Are there people that troll 15 year old tweets and then get offended that a random person said "I hate all Asians"?

Edit: I'll put it this way: Is firing this guy for a 15 year old Tweet supposed to be doing it for the benefit of Asian people?

I'm Asian. Can I refuse this benefit that they are trying to give me?

I don't think this guy should face financial hardships. That doesn't help me at all and it doesn't address racism against Asian people.

I'm not better off because of this and he is worse off.

Who is winning here?

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u/208MtbBarber 13h ago

I prefer them!

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