I think it's impulsive. Of course, I don't know Kobe personally, but it was the heat of the moment, he was angry, so he threw an insult at the ref. Regardless of the word itself, he shouldn't have done it, but I don't think you can call it off as homophobic. I don't even think the referee is gay, because it would be a totally different thing if he is. The word "faggot" is an insult to anyone, so it's offensive to anyone regardless of orientation. Again, it should not have been said, but I don't see it as a matter of sexuality.

People need to grow up and stop putting so much emphasis into words. Racism and prejudice will only exist if we treat people as if they are inferior and turn situations like this into a huge deal. Kobe spoke out of impulse, which is obvious as the ref did nothing that would make him come off as a homosexual. Combine these factors, and it seems like people are just bitching to bitch. If he approached a gay couple and said that, it would be totally different. I'm not saying what he did was right, but it's not a bad as people are presenting it to be.

Political correctness is killing this country. Who cares if he called a referee a fag?

If the referee was a known homosexual and Kobe called him a faggot out of hatred towards his lifestyle, then yes, he should be punished.

Otherwise, people need to grow the fuck up.

As Chris Rock said:

"What if the person that he called a faggot...was acting like a faggot? You don't have to be gay to act like a faggot. You don't even have to be a man to act like a faggot. Anybody can act like a faggot. Let me give you an example: I love Gwen Stefani. I think No Doubt is one of the best groups in the world; I keep a No Doubt CD in my car and I sing that shit to the end. I'm like "don't speak, I know just what you're sayin', oh, please stop explainin'"...I won't even get out my car 'til the shit's over. I'm like "you know you're good, you know you're real good...la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la, [high pitched] Don't! Don't!" I fuckin' love me some Gwen Stefani! Now, if I'm drivin' my car, and I'm at the light, and you in the car behind me, and the light's red, and I'm just sittin' there blasting some Gwen Stefani and I'm like "ain't no hollaback girl! Ain't no hollaback girl! Ain't no hollaback!" And you in the car behind me and the light's red--cool. But then the light turns green. And I don't see it, because I'm in Gwen Stefani heaven. And I'm just goin' "Ain't no hollaback girl! Ain't no hollaback girl! Ain't no hollaback!" Now the light starts fuckin' blinking! It's gettin' ready to turn red again, and I *still* don't see it, and I'm in my car going "This shit is bananas! B-na-na-na-nas! This shit is bananas! B-na-na-na-nas!" Now if you in the car behind me, and that light's gettin' ready to turn red, and I'm going "this shit is bananas! B-na-na-na-nas!" If you in the car behind me, you have the right to go "HEY, FAGGOT! The light's about to change!" Shit, even Elton John would call me a faggot at that moment. It's not the word, it's the context in which the word is bein' said!"

People are blowing this way out of proportion. The word "fag" (which is what I'm assuming he said) is probably one of the most commonly used insults, to the point where it's not even used because it's anti-gay, but just because it's today's version of "idiot" or "jackass". Basically just a generic insult. It's pretty much the most used word in schools too. So yeah, I don't think he's homophobic, I think he was just dissing the ref. If he said "fucktard" no one would give a shit.

Somebody would bitch about the tard half. People always have to bitch about something.

Who cares? Kobe is a dickwad, fine him.

No.

God bless South Park.

Seriously, does anyone outside of the deep south USA use fag to refer to gay people?

Yeah, quite frequently where I'm at.

Well, shit.

Fuck those cunts.

And I'm in the northeast of all places! We're supposed to be the snooty, PC, liberal elite!

My Electrical instructor rides a Harley.

If the NBA really gave a fuck, they wouldn't of fined him with an amount that he most likely has lost beneath his couch cushions.

Secondarily, things like this are what fuel minority groups to the point where they complain just for the sake of complaining. This particular case is extremely stupid and pointless because anyone who has ever played sports as a highly competitive level (JV squads don't count) know that this is extremely common place within the culture. Not the word in particular, but the frustration and emotional outbursts walk hand in hand with most sports.

The fact of the matter is that if Bryant hadn't been caught on television, nothing would have been done. This is simple "damage control" by the league to preserve it's image of 'family friendly basketball'. Nothing more and nothing less.

I thought the word ''fag'' referred to biker gangs.

Kobe proves once again that he's a royal douchebag.

This is not a question of political correctness.

It is a question of low self-control from the guilty part. He deserves to be fined if he cannot keep his mouth shut or control something as minor as fustration.

To play Devil's Advocate on that, it is common place (as xtactics already mentioned) in the sports culture to gain lots of emotion in the heat of a game.

Fans and athletes alike gain fury, anxiety, and even ecstacy during a game. Outbursts are common among athletes, whether pleased or upset. To say Kobe should be punished for "not keeping his mouth shut" is unfair.

I can see why people get upset about this. The man used a term that you may see as harmless, but was a term used to degrade those who are homosexual. Thus by using that term, you're using a term that was putting down someone's sexuality as an insult. Of course people are going to get upset about that especially the gay community.

And Kobe needs to stop complaining anyway, you walk half the time anyway just like every other big name in the NBA.

I put myself through three consecutive hours of fencing with a sword capable of hurting another person permanently. Weekly once. With around twelve other people on the same session.

Funny how a trained professional sportsman cannot keep his mind in check when he does this for a living and does this daily.

Well, okay, there is a reason why we must be better in check with our emotions. Kobe Bryant is not potentially lethal during playing.

Point being, if he takes it seriously at least have the courtesy to traind edication towards everything in connection with the sport. You know, be a gentleman of sports? Dudley much....

While you may be able to control your outbursts during a heated match of fencing, or any other sport, there are many others who cannot, do not, or furthermore feel they do not have to.

The subject of his diction is open for debate, but the outburst alone is incontrovertible. If outbursts can be condemned, should a winning team be punished for an outburst while praising their victory?