Possible arguments that this commentator might make:

1) I am
not a racist! I had no intention whatsoever of using a racial slur. I
called him a Chinaman because it's an accurate description of Yi
Jianlian. He is a man, from China, hence Chinaman. It is in no way,
shape, or form derogatory.

2) I am sorry if you feel offended by my comment, but it is simply not true that I was trying to offend anyone.

3)
I am simply uneducated and did not know that Chinaman is a racial slur.
I sincerely apologize for my usage of this word and promise that this
will never happen again.