Disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy once said referee Bill Kennedy – who came out publicly as gay yesterday – held a grudge against Doc Rivers because Rivers questioned Kennedy’s sexual orientation. NBA gambler Haralabos Voulgaris said he heard Rivers use an anti-gay slur toward Kennedy while coaching the Celtics against the Bulls in the 2009 playoffs.
Donaghy’s other claims have been widely discredited.
Voulgaris admitted he might have misheard.
And Kennedy has reportedly thrown cold water on the story.
Howard Beck of Bleacher Report:
Re Doc/Bill Kennedy: Contrary to story that’s circulated, Kennedy has told confidantes that Doc never used a gay slur during confrontation
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) December 15, 2015
Also, sources say NBA investigated Doc/Kennedy incident at the time. Doc was fined $25k. Would have been much stiffer penalty for gay slur.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) December 15, 2015
This should put Rivers’ involvement in this issue to bed.
But Rajon Rondo – who was suspended for harassing Kennedy with anti-gay slurs during a game and tweeted a non-apology statement – remains in the crosshairs. Until the Kings point guard addresses this issue in a more meaningful manner, it won’t go away.
