Calipari Faces Reprimand Over Slur

The New Jersey Nets plan to meet to discuss a possible reprimand of Coach John Calipari for calling a reporter a “Mexican idiot” last week, The New York Times reported.

Calipari declined to discuss the incident. His agent, however, acknowledged Calipari made the statement on Thursday to Dan Garcia of The Star-Ledger of Newark after a practice.

“It definitely happened,” Calipari’s agent, Craig Fenech said. “John regrets it. It was stupid. He realizes it was an inappropriate way to push Garcia’s buttons.”

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Houston Rocket star forward Charles Barkley, sidelined since March 1 because of a bruised left pelvis, will be out awhile longer after his pelvis tightened during a half-court drill. No timetable will be set for his return, said trainer Keith Jones. Coach Rudy Tomjanovich, however, won’t rush Barkley, saying, “I just want Charles to be there for the playoffs.”