Popovich unsurprised by Rondo´s slur

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was unsurprised by Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo’s alleged homophobic slurs at NBA referee Bill Kennedy.

Rondo was suspended for one game without pay by the NBA on Friday for “directing a derogatory and offensive term towards a game official” during a game against the Boston Celtics a week earlier.

Kennedy, in his 18th season with the NBA, told Yahoo Sports he decided to come out as gay to “send a message to young men and women in sports that you must allow no one to make you feel ashamed of who you are”.

When asked about Rondo’s comments on Monday, Popovich told reporters he was not surprised by the source.

“Why would I be surprised?” Popovich said, via the Washington Post.

“You see it all the time. It’s unfortunate. It’s disgusting, because Billy is a great guy, and has been a class act on and off the court.

“As far as anybody’s sexual orientation, it’s nobody’s business. It just shows ignorance to act in a derogatory way toward anybody in the LGBT community. It doesn’t make sense. But surprised, of course not.”

After he was ejected from the game, Rondo confronted Kennedy from the sidelines.

Rondo issued a statement via his Twitter account on Monday, writing: “My actions during the game were out of frustration and emotion, period!

“They absolutely do not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community. I did not mean to offend or disrespect anyone.”