Earlier during the Miami/Chicago game while returning to the bench Chicago's Joakim Noah got into a yelling match with a Miami fan that concluded with Noah using a homophobic slur. It was caught on camera and broadcast, I was watching the game and my trusty DVR confirmed it for me. TMZ has the video.
This is bad news for the NBA who is currently involved in an educational drive to end the use of such slurs after incidents involving other players earlier this year including one of the sports top stars Kobe Bryant. I for one hope Noah is fined by the NBA to send a message that such outbursts are not acceptable. Don't get me wrong, Noah had every right to respond to a hostile fan, but there is no excuse to use a homophobic slur.
Update: Noah mentioned the incident in a post game interview and said (paraphrasing here) " I got caught up, a fan said something and I said something back, I apologize."
Update 2: Since it has kinda come up in comments I feel I would be remiss if I didn't give ya'll a method of feedback as to what you think should be the discipline for Noah, so I am going to add a poll about what action you think the NBA should take in response. For the record, I am voting for the third poll option. Noah's actions were personal and singular, I would find it unfair under any circumstance to suspend someone during the playoffs. It wouldn't be unfair to the team or fans to penalize in such a way the wrongfull actions of an individual, however I did add the technical foul bit, which if I am right if Noah recieves another in game 4 he will be suspended, so there is that. I already added the poll, I hate you can't edit them, but I feel Noah should be in future added to the adds the NBA is putting out in an effort to discourage use of such slurs.