Meyers Leonard’s coach and Miami Heat teammates on Wednesday did not apologize for Leonard’s use of an anti-Semitic slur during a recent video game livestream, nor did they make any effort to hide their disappointment in him in their initial public comments about the incident.
“He said something that was extremely distasteful and hurtful,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. “And we’re left with the aftermath of that.”
In a video that surfaced on social media Tuesday, Leonard can be heard saying, “F — ing cowards; don’t f — ing snipe me, you f — ing k — b —-.” Leonard apologized in an Instagram post and, according to the organization, will be away from The Heat indefinitely while the NBA conducts an investigation.
Leonard’s season was already over due to a shoulder injury.
“Words have consequences,” said Spoelstra. “And those were extremely hurtful words.”
The Heat went back to work on Wednesday to end their All-Star hiatus. The team opens its schedule for the second half against Orlando on Thursday. Spoelstra has spoken with Leonard, as have other team officials.
“We can’t tolerate that here,” said Heat captain and 18-year veteran Udonis Haslem of using the blemish. “Right is right and wrong is wrong. And since I’ve been here in this organization, until the day I leave this organization, and beyond, we’ll try to be on the right side of everything – especially issues like this. “
Haslem was asked if Leonard had ever used offensive language around him.
“No, sir,” said Haslem. “I’ve never heard him use a language I didn’t feel at all comfortable with.”
Spoelstra has praised Leonard’s work ethic and efforts many times over a year and a half with the team at the 2 meter high center.
Those days now seem a long time ago.
“It doesn’t matter what the intention is,” said Spoelstra. “It just doesn’t make sense.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.