Mavs news: Salah Mejri says Jordan Bell called him racial slur on the court

Dallas Mavericks big man Salah Mejri says that the drama between him and Golden State Warriors rookie Jordan Bell started because of a racial slur used by Bell.

In a recent matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks, Warriors rookie Jordan Bell was involved in two separate incidents with Mavericks guard Devin Harris and center Salah Mejri. Neither escalated further. The Mejri-Bell altercation got more attention, as Mejri told DefPen Hoops that Bell called him the “N-word” on three occasions:

“He called me the N-word and I was not happy about it. I told the referee, ‘Hey, he can’t call me that.’ I don’t want to be called that word. I don’t think it’s a big deal, but for real, I don’t know the kid, I don’t know his name, I don’t know his number. The only thing I remember is the dunk he made against us [in October], but he can do whatever he wants. Backboard, behind-the-back, throw it to the fans, he can do whatever he wants. We’re playing basketball.”

Mejri refers to a self-alley-oop dunk Jordan made against the Mavs in an early season game. Bell denied Mejri's claims and told ESPN Mejri probably felt targeted by that dunk and that was why the altercation happened:

“I think the first one I got into with. I don't know his name. The big dude, No. 50. I think that had something to do with it because I didn't even touch him at all. I hit the ball. He was being extra, trying to be a fake tough guy and sh**. I think that had something to do with it. I don't think Devin Harris had anything to do with that. We're just being physical with each other.”

Mejri, for his part, claims he told Bell there is a difference between physicality and being disrespectful:

“I’m cool with the physicality. I’m a big guy. I’m going to play physical because that’s how I make my money, but don’t call me the N-word three times. I literally told him, ‘I’m cool with the physicality, but I don’t want nobody to disrespect me.’ Then he said he didn’t say it, and if he did, he would have done something about it.”