LA Clippers

[OKCretro]

I think the NBA is going to be in for a huge legal battle. Sterling is a complete scumbag and needs to be kicked to the curb.

But here is another question, which is worse? Making some very racist comments in the privacy of his own home or making fun of a person with a disability on his public instagram account? one will lose his franchise he other will still have his minority ownership in the Kings and be on tv every night. Neither has apologized.....

After Fan With A Disability Was Bullied By Shaq, He Reminded Us All To 'Hug, Don't Judge'

[Snowman]

I think the NBA is going to be in for a huge legal battle. Sterling is a complete scumbag and needs to be kicked to the curb.

But here is another question, which is worse? Making some very racist comments in the privacy of his own home or making fun of a person with a disability on his public instagram account? one will lose his franchise he other will still have his minority ownership in the Kings and be on tv every night. Neither has apologized.....

After Fan With A Disability Was Bullied By Shaq, He Reminded Us All To 'Hug, Don't Judge'

Part of why I was surprised they did not make a bigger deal about the pattern from his past behavior, which would give them at least some latitude to work with in the future.

[Bellaboo]

The Letter -




Apr 29 at 3:36 PM

























Dear Fans,

This afternoon I announced that, following the completion of a thorough investigation into an audio recording obtained by TMZ, I banned Donald Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers or the NBA, effective immediately. Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. I also fined Mr. Sterling $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the NBA Constitution. These funds will be donated to charitable organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts that will be jointly selected by the NBA and its Players Association.

The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and hurtful. I am extremely proud of this great league's diverse, respectful and inclusive culture, and we will not allow one individual's intolerant views to define us. Let me be clear: Mr. Sterling's views have no place in the NBA.

This has been a painful episode for all members of the NBA family. I very much appreciate your understanding during this process. I also want to express my thanks and admiration to Coach Doc Rivers, Chris Paul, and the entire Clippers organization for their professionalism throughout this matter, and to Chris and Mayor Kevin Johnson for their leadership and partnership on behalf of the Players Association.

And now I am eager to turn the spotlight back where it belongs: on the game we all love and on these thrilling playoffs, which have been some of the most exciting basketball I've seen in my 22 years with the league. I hope you enjoy the rest of the playoffs and The Finals.

Sincerely,


Adam Silver

[BBatesokc]

Maybe its just me, but I've often heard far more disparaging remarks during road rage incidents or even from 'friends' who don't think before they tell a joke with subtle or obvious racial overtones.

Will this set a new standard...... Will people be looking to record audio of NBA owners, players, etc. saying off color things in private and then insist on the lowering of the "Sterling Hammer?"

[Richard at Remax]

So are against recording people in private then making it public?

[Jersey Boss]

So are against recording people in private then making it public?

Drops mic, and walks away.

[Teo9969]

Guys…this simply isn't about race. It's about $$$. Yes action would be taken against any other player/owner/coach/hired entity whose comments create an internal and external situation like this. When you start hearing whispers of players not playing, of fans boycotting the league, of Free Agents not even considering an otherwise fantastic team, and of the opportunity of this particular event totally reshaping the NBA landscape, you realize that it doesn't matter WHAT the comments were, what the EFFECTS of the comments were.

If at the time Jay-Z owned (part of) Brooklyn, and every white fan of the NBA refused to go to a game because of his racist behavior, you can get the league would have taken the same action. Why? Because $$$. Not because of some moral cause. Not because of piety or doing the right thing.

If it was about moral cause and doing the right thing, Sterling would have been gone a LONG time ago. It's about the $$$.

[adaniel]

Dale Hansen of WFAA here in Dallas lays down the boomstick. A good watch for those who are still defending this man for whatever reason....

Hansen Unplugged: 'It's the least they could do' | wfaa.com Dallas - Fort Worth

[jn1780]

I think the NBA is going to be in for a huge legal battle.Sterling is a complete scumbag and needs to be kicked to the curb.

But here is another question, which is worse? Making some very racist comments in the privacy of his own home or making fun of a person with a disability on his public instagram account? one will lose his franchise he other will still have his minority ownership in the Kings and be on tv every night. Neither has apologized.....

After Fan With A Disability Was Bullied By Shaq, He Reminded Us All To 'Hug, Don't Judge'

I don't know about that. Kind of pointless to own a team when players, advertisers, and fans boycott your team.

[BBatesokc]

So are against recording people in private then making it public?

Actually no comparison.

Sterling wasn't doing anything illegal and appears to have had a legal expectation of privacy.

There also was no third party forcing Sterling to do what he was doing.

Nice try (not really) But at least you showed the inability to not make a thread personal (congrats).

[jmpokc1957]

Maybe its just me, but I've often heard far more disparaging remarks during road rage incidents or even from 'friends' who don't think before they tell a joke with subtle or obvious racial overtones.

Will this set a new standard...... Will people be looking to record audio of NBA owners, players, etc. saying off color things in private and then insist on the lowering of the "Sterling Hammer?"

I agree. The statements he made, although boorish, don't really strike me as "racist", especially when compared to statements made publicly by elected officials during the 60's and 70's. A governor of Alabama comes to mind..

Make no mistake, a standard has been set although I would be hard pressed to say exactly what it is.
Seems to be a case of who said it, who heard it, how the media distributes it and how the mob reacts to it. In other words, the way it's always been.

[Rover]

I love all the justification of this bigot. He has a history, of which this is far from the worst he has done. It is amazing how people rationalize this abhorrent behavior and try to soften it. THIS is why racism is still a problem. Those not personally affected by it brush it off as no big deal. "Everybody does it" is not a justification, it is a symptom of the bigger problem.

[OKCretro]

I love all the justification of this bigot. He has a history, of which this is far from the worst he has done. It is amazing how people rationalize this abhorrent behavior and try to soften it. THIS is why racism is still a problem. Those not personally affected by it brush it off as no big deal. "Everybody does it" is not a justification, it is a symptom of the bigger problem.

I don't think anyone (at least I am not) condoning his remarks. The line that was drawn is the only thing that I think people like myself are looking it. Go watch the commissioner again, he was asked point blank, "is the punishment because of the history or pattern or the one incident?" the commish responds, "it is for the one single incident". So the history played no part in the ruling.

So that begs the question why can't Shaq get banned for his 1 single incident making fun of disabled, or the 1 single interview the Magic owner gave about his view on gay marriage?

I don't really include Jay z as a owner because he owned less than 1% of the team. It was actually like .0653 of a percent. Basically he was a season ticket holder.

[Pete]

So that begs the question why can't Shaq get banned for his 1 single incident making fun of disabled, or the 1 single interview the Magic owner gave about his view on gay marriage?

Because there was virtually no public outcry, no boycott of sponsors, no significant group of NBA players or fans offended, etc.

And no matter what Silver said, of course Sterling's history entered this. He just can't say that publicly because the other stuff was not nearly as concrete as an authenticated audio tape.

[OKCretro]

Because there was virtually no public outcry, no boycott of sponsors, no significant group of NBA players or fans offended, etc.

And no matter what Silver said, of course Sterling's history entered this. He just can't say that publicly because the other stuff was not nearly as concrete as an authenticated audio tape.

So Silver's private conversations are different than his public ones?

I havent seen this, Did Sterling consent to each and every recording? if not that has the appearance of a fruit from a poisonous tree?

and yes the drive by media hasn't gotten a hold of the Shaq thing yet. my guess is that they write it off as shaq being shaq. I think the shaq thing happened recently

[Pete]

I'm sure Silver is smart enough to be careful what he says to anyone, especially when dealing with a notoriously aggressive and litigious billionaire. Lots and lots of other people have said that everyone knew the type of person Sterling is, they just never had such irrefutable evidence.

Sterling's consent is pretty irrelevant when it comes to the NBA. The tape got out, it's clearly Sterling and how it got out is a matter for civil courts against his mistress.

[BBatesokc]

I love all the justification of this bigot. He has a history, of which this is far from the worst he has done. It is amazing how people rationalize this abhorrent behavior and try to soften it. THIS is why racism is still a problem. Those not personally affected by it brush it off as no big deal. "Everybody does it" is not a justification, it is a symptom of the bigger problem.

I don't know if anyone is trying to 'justify' Sterling's comments and/or behavior - more like putting them into perspective (big difference).

Where do we find the balance between the reality that racists exist (to varying degrees), the public should have the right to respond, and (like it or not) people have the right to hold racist views (its their racist actions that they often don't have a right to). At what point does that mean that every private comment should have a very public and professional reaction?

I have no idea what the answer is, but there are so many bad messages being sent here from all sides its hard to find a middle ground.

[onthestrip]

Because there was virtually no public outcry, no boycott of sponsors, no significant group of NBA players or fans offended, etc.

And no matter what Silver said, of course Sterling's history entered this. He just can't say that publicly because the other stuff was not nearly as concrete as an authenticated audio tape.

Exactly. Im not sure if people are too dense or just flat out racist but money talks, and if sponsors, players, and fans threaten boycotting or pull out their money, then the NBA will act. They are self governed and can and will do whats in their best interest as a league. And if that means dropping the hammer on a life long racist after a recording was released, so be it.

For those that think because this was in private that he should be given a pass...you dont get it. Sterling is a public figure, a recorded conversation was released and the public and his peers reacted to what they thought was necessary. Its pretty simple.

But for the racists on this board, you arent a public figure and probably arent worth much to warrant some girl getting even with you. So dont let this event keep you from your racist ways.

[Mel]

Thank goodness we have the media to be our thought police. (this was a snarky post in case everybody didn't figure that out.)

[Pete]

This isn't just another rich guy being caught saying something racist and ignorant...

He owns a team in a league that is predominantly black with more black fans than any other.

And he also had to pay out millions due to previous discriminatory actions, apart from the volumes of anecdotal evidence.


Not too worried about a slippery slope or setting of precedent. Sterling is a pretty unique brand of scumbag.

[Rover]

It's not hard to take a side on his statements. Either one is part of the problem or part of the solution. What is so hard to understand on this? The perspective does not diminish the sentiment. The CONTEXT is that he has exhibited a long history of racist behavior and this is just a verbal example of his attitudes. HOW it became known, HOW he came to these beliefs, WHO ELSE believes that way, WHY he said it, all is irrelevant to the fact that these are his beliefs and he has acted on his beliefs in the past and current. Justifying bad behavior with irrelevant context is wrong. It is right that so many are up in arms. He should have been stopped before. Now there is a very visible and impactful event that makes it obvious. Just remember, Al Capone went to prison for tax evasion, not the hundreds of murders he directed. This is Sterling's tax evasion, but it isn't the thing that by itself makes him reprehensible.

[zookeeper]

I know that I'm no racist. I hate it that discussion on race cannot take place, with straight talking about what people are thinking, without the allegations of racism.

[Rover]

I know that I'm no racist. I hate it that discussion on race cannot take place, with straight talking about what people are thinking, without the allegations of racism.

There is lots of talk....rhetoric...on the subject. But when racism is so evident, it needs called out and dealt with. We can talk about cancer all day long, but if you have it, you better get chemo, even if it makes you sick. Talking about it doesn't make it go away.

[adaniel]

Exactly. Im not sure if people are too dense or just flat out racist but money talks, and if sponsors, players, and fans threaten boycotting or pull out their money, then the NBA will act. They are self governed and can and will do whats in their best interest as a league. And if that means dropping the hammer on a life long racist after a recording was released, so be it.

For those that think because this was in private that he should be given a pass...you dont get it. Sterling is a public figure, a recorded conversation was released and the public and his peers reacted to what they thought was necessary. Its pretty simple.

But for the racists on this board, you arent a public figure and probably arent worth much to warrant some girl getting even with you. So dont let this event keep you from your racist ways.

Yep. This was as much as a business decision as doing the right thing. Its sad it take the loss of cash for people to do the right thing but that's America for you.

This guy is not a victim of circumstance. Why anyone would pity a billionaire is beyond me. He CHOSE do date a girl that could be his granddaughter, he CHOSE to behave and say the things his did. Case closed. How it was extracted from him is a question a civil court can decide but the fact is the cat is out of the bag and he would not be in this situation if not for the decisions he made.

True, lots of people say terrible things in private. Some get caught, some don't. His number came up this time and others may one day as well. God/fate/karma/etc. work in funny ways. That certainly doesn't excuse what he did. The "hey, everyone is a little racist!" defense says more about the people making those claims than it does anything else IMO.

[Dubya61]

And yet, as much as I'd like it to not be so and as much as I argued with dcsooner about racism, it was interesting: A family member of mine was in the doctor's office waiting room yesterday when the NBA commissioner held is press conference. There was a lot of conversation about how bad that man (Sterling) acted and was. Then, in comes another person to the waiting room. The banter held back for a bit. The newcomer said (something to the effect of), "What's all the fuss about? It's not like he committed a crime!" I asked what was said back to the man. The waiting room went silent. No. It's not a crime that's punishable in a court of law, but it's sure offensive and could finally be his Al Capone-esque tax evasion (thanks, Rover). All the same, the waiting room went silent and no one defended equality and compassion.