Luol Deng: 'I do forgive Danny' (Ferry), doesn't think Ferry is a racist

If Luol Deng's statement on Sept. 9 didn't make it entirely clear, the Miami Heat forward is a really classy person.

On Friday, Deng was obviously asked about the offseason controversy that he unwillingly became a part of. In an offseason conference call, Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry used racially offensive language about Deng when reading off an external scouting report, ultimately leading to Ferry stepping down and owner Bruce Levenson, later discovered to have sent a racially offensive email, to sell his stake in the team.

Despite the offensive language used - see the story below for full quotes - Deng is willing to move past it, and spoke respectfully of Ferry.

"I do forgive Danny," Deng said on Friday. "It's not something I want to hold on to... I believe he's really sorry for what he said. I don't think Danny Ferry is a racist. I really don't."

Deng's hope is to turn the situation "into something positive," a hope that others in the community have also expressed. That includes possibly working with Ferry on future charitable endeavors.

For Ferry, this is an important vote of confidence if he plans to ever return to the NBA. For Deng, hopefully this can mark the end of questions about the matter, allowing him to focus on the upcoming season.

On an interesting side note, Deng also said Friday that he was close to signing with the Hawks before landing in Miami.