National Basketball Association

Kyle Korver: Luol Deng doesn't believe Danny Ferry, Hawks are racists

Published Sep. 14, 2014 5:29 a.m. ET

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Luol Deng just wants to move on.

Kyle Korver, a former teammate of the new Miami Heat guard, said Deng told him that although he was “shocked” to hear Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry’s comments about him, he doesn’t believe Ferry or anyone in the Hawks organization is racist.

“He said he was shocked when he heard what was said, but that sometimes things just slip out,” Korver said. “It was pretty amazing, really. He just wants everything to move on. He wants to get back to basketball.”

Ferry made disparaging remarks about Deng during a phone call when assessing him during free agency, saying the Duke product “has a little African in him.”

“He’s like a guy who would have a nice store out front and sell you counterfeit stuff out of the back,” Ferry said.

Deng, who is from what today is South Sudan, expressed pride for his African heritage in response to Ferry initially and now is ready to move on from the ordeal.

Ferry, meanwhile, has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the Hawks after his comments came to light.

More from NESN:

Hawks CEO issues apology to fans

Luol Deng has great response to racist remarks

Hawks GM takes indefinite leave of absence

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