Mavericks forward Drew Gooden allegedly yelled homophobic slur

Posted Monday, Nov. 02, 2009 Comments   (0) Print Share Share Reprints
A

Have more to add? News tip? Tell us

By EDDIE SEFKO

Special to the Star-Telegram

Heckling by Los Angeles Clippers fans may have led to the Mavericks’ Drew Gooden saying some allegedly insensitive comments during the Mavericks’ game at Staples Center on Saturday.

Gooden did not play and was dressed in street clothes behind the bench. According to the Web site Outsports.com, Gooden yelled a homophobic slur at a pair of fans seated near the Mavericks bench.

The Web site said Gooden yelled the slur at actor Chris Wylde, who is married and is not gay and was attending the game with a friend. Owner Mark Cuban would not comment, but e-mailed Wylde, according to the Web site, and said the team would deal with Gooden internally. He sent an e-mail to the Web site saying that some of the heckling was not as innocent as fans suggested, although he added that even so, it doesn’t excuse homophobic commentary.

Tough assignments

Starting tonight against Utah’s Deron Williams, the Mavericks face the two toughest, most offensive-minded point guards in the league in a 24-hour span.

On Wednesday, they visit Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets.

Enter Jason Kidd. And Quinton Ross. And J.J. Barea. Maybe even Shawn Marion and Roddy Beaubois.

Williams and Paul have hurt the Mavericks every time they have played them. But this is a different Mavericks team defensively.

They hope.

"For J-Kidd, the one thing I love about these two games is that he’ll take the personal challenge," assistant coach Darrell Armstrong said Monday. "He looks forward to it. They’re probably the two top point guards in the league — after J-Kidd. I guarantee you he’s looking forward to that challenge."

Kidd has started the season in fine form when it comes to passing the ball (9.0 assists per game) and defending (2.0 steals per game). His next steal will put him into sixth place on the NBA all-time list.

But Kidd knows that part of defending tough point guards is making them work at the other end. And he has not been happy with his shot. He’s 1-of-10 from 3-point range and 4-of-16 overall through three games.

Injury update

X-rays were negative on Drew Gooden’s right rib cage.

He did not practice Monday and is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game against Utah.

Gooden missed the Clippers game on Saturday after he was injured against the Lakers on Friday.

Looking for comments?

Join the discussion

The Star-Telegram is pleased to provide this opportunity for you to share your thoughts and observations about news topics. We enjoy lively debate on the issues of the day, but we ask that you refrain from using profanity, racist or hate speech, engaging in personal attacks or name-calling, posting advertising or external links or including remarks that are off topic. To post comments, you must be a registered user of Star-Telegram.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.