Meyers Leonard’s coach and Miami Heat teammates on Wednesday made no apologies for using an anti-Semitic stir during a recent live video game.
“He said something that was extremely distasteful and hurtful,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “And we sit with the aftermath of it.”
In a video that appeared on social media on Tuesday, Leonard can be heard saying: ‘F — ing cowards; do not snip me, you f — ing k — b —-. Leonard apologized in an Instagram post, and according to the organization, he will be away from the Heat indefinitely while the NBA conducts an investigation.
Leonard’s season was already over due to a shoulder injury.
“There are consequences for words,” Spoelstra said. “And those were extremely hurtful words.”
The Heat resumed work on Wednesday to end their All-Star break. The team opens their second half against Orlando on Thursday. Spoelstra spoke to Leonard, as well as other team officials.
“We can not stand it here,” said Udonis Haslem, 18-year-old veteran Heat. “Right is right and wrong is wrong. And since I was here in this organization, we go to the day I leave this organization and then try to be on the right side of everything – especially issues like this.”
Haslem was asked if Leonard ever uses language that is offensive.
“No, sir,” Haslem said. “I’ve never heard him use any language that made me uncomfortable.”
Spoelstra has repeatedly praised Leonard’s work ethic and effort during the 7-foot center’s year and a half with the team.
Those days now seem long gone.
“It does not matter the intention,” Spoelstra said. “It’s just not right.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.