Opinion: Donald Sterling shatters an organization
Clippers owner makes racial comments in leaked phone conversation
The NBA playoffs are here. They usually bring a certain excitement about them that is unparalleled to the regular season. The likes of stars such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin come out and are asked to bring home the Larry O’ Brien trophy for their teams.
However, during the midst of a series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors, Clippers owner Donald Sterling found a way to ruin everything for not only his team, his fans, and his city, but the entire NBA.
TMZ released an audio recording of Sterling making some extreme comments to his mistress about African Americans. In the recording, Sterling said, “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?”
Sterling was specifically alluding to a picture put on Instagram by his girlfriend, V. Stiviano. In the picture, Stiviano was with Magic Johnson, who is African-American. Sterling continued saying, “Don’t put [Magic Johnson] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games.”
Many called Sterling a racist, especially given his past history with incidents regarding race where he refused to rent apartments to African Americans and Latinos. Others, however, feel that he was unfairly recorded, given that many people say things behind closed doors that they would not otherwise say in public. This was shot down by a report from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. The report claimed that Sterling’s girlfriend said that he “knew he was being recorded and that they often taped conversations because Sterling forgets things.” The 80-year-old is currently battling cancer.
I believe that Sterling did wrong and now needs to face the consequences for his actions. Many celebrities also voiced angst against Sterling’s comments. Kobe Bryant said on Twitter, “I couldn’t play for him.”
Former Clipper Baron Davis spoke on Sterling’s comments as well. “He is honest about what he believes in. Been going on for a long time.”
Davis also said on his Twitter how he was proud of the team for playing above it all. Some of the strongest comments, however, came from Magic Johnson. He said on Twitter, “I feel sorry for my friends Coach Doc Rivers and Chris Paul that they have to work for a man that feels that way about African-Americans.”
Actor and comedian Kevin Hart was harsher than other commenters. “Donald T Sterling is a flat out racist. He will never see another dollar from me!!! This is disgusting.”
In the wake of all this was the Clippers series against the Warriors. There were rumors about boycotting. In the end, the entire Clippers team put their warm-up shirts and sweats in the middle of the court and threw them on the ground. They also flipped their undershirts inside out, bearing no name on the front of the shirt. The series went seven games, and despite all of the controversy surrounding the organization, the Clippers pulled out a huge win and moved on to the next round to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After all of this took place, everyone was wondering what new NBA Commissioner Adam Silver would do. Many wanted harsh consequences to be handed down to Sterling, and that is exactly what Silver did. Sterling is fined $2.5 million (the highest penalty one can face), is banned for life from the NBA, and Silver is urging the league’s Board of Governors to demand a sale of the team.
For now, Sterling is technically still the owner of the team but cannot attend games and practices, nor can he have any role in Clippers’ business operations or player personnel decisions.
The league requires a three-fourths majority vote from the league’s owners in order to force Sterling to sell his team.
Regarding Silver’s discipline, many people were extremely satisfied. LeBron James said on Twitter, “Commissioner Silver thank you for protecting our beautiful and powerful league!!”
The Clippers are trying to salvage the season and come out victorious against the Thunder. Their next game is Thursday, May 15th at 8:30 PM on TNT. The Thunder are currently leading the series 3-2.
