LA Clippers

[dankrutka]

Keep in mind the Clippers players almost boycotted the playoffs this year.

They won't be competing for championships after this season.

First, I don't think they ever seriously considered a playoff boycott this season. The dropping of their warm ups in center court was a rather timid protest and the players, and their union in general, did little to take a serious stand, which was disappointing.

Second, why have the owners not yet voted to oust Sterling? What's the hold up? I have a feeling, based on the pretty weak player response already, that the players will just honor their contracts. They don't seem to have the conviction to do much else. And, as long as Griffin, Paul, and Doc are there, they'll be title contenders.

I hope I'm wrong and change happens there, but based on actions, not talk, I don't see much changing.

[Pete]

The players didn't need to make a stand because the NBA levied the harshest possible penalty. There was simply nothing more to be done.

Doc has pretty much said that he won't come back next year if Shelly is still involved, let alone Donald. And he's implied the players wouldn't want to play for her either. Rivers isn't even taking phone calls from her right now.

The NBA can vote out Sterling pretty easily and you can bet it will probably be unanimous, but they probably can't and won't do anything about his wife and I think that's where this whole thing will start to implode.

[BrettM2]

Here's some info from SI (Michael McCann is their sports law editor).

California law works against Shelly Sterling keeping the Clippers
California is a community property state, which means that spouses in California jointly own assets acquired during their marriage. Shelly Sterling's ownership of the Clippers is thus inextricably intertwined with Donald Sterling's ownership under California law. In fact, it's believed the NBA could not take Donald Sterling's equity in the Clippers without also taking Shelly Sterling's equity, as the Sterling's joint ownership is legally one entity. There has been much speculation that California law would help Shelly Sterling keep the team, but attorneys familiar with the NBA believe the opposite is true: the unity in spousal assets achieved by California law means that Shelly Sterling must leave the NBA if the same fate befalls her husband.


Read More: NBA beginning to determine legal strategy in Donald Sterling case - NBA - Michael McCann - SI.com

Donald Sterling Legal Analysis - SI.com

ESPN posted this article:

She has publicly and privately cooperated with the league in its actions to ban her husband for life and move to oust him from ownership. However, the league's contention will be that Shelly Sterling -- while entitled to a 50 percent interest in the franchise -- has never been approved by the board of governors as the controlling owner. She and team president Andy Roeser, who went on an indefinite leave of absence this week, were only alternate governors.

In order to become the team's new controlling owner, Shelly Sterling would have to be approved by the board of governors, which is unlikely given her association with her husband of 58 years.

NBA looking to oust Shelly Sterling

[Pete]

^

That's actually good news.

But effectively, since the Sterlings are divided it means they will be waging separate wars against the NBA and both have almost unlimited resources.


This sums it up pretty well:

Lawyer Carl E. Douglas has taken on Donald Sterling in court. When asked about Sterling, his response was, "Donald Sterling is a surly, defiant, tyrannical rich guy who is a bully and used to having his way."

[Laramie]

I hear N Korea will pay top dollar for elite NBA players

You're talking about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un? Rumors are that Dennis Rodman has hooked his prized fishing rod in Jong-un's pond. Does this give you a picture as to why Kim Jong-un welcomes the diplomatic relationship with Dennis Rodman?

"Somehow we have to get along, and no matter what disagreements or what discrepancy we have in life," Rodman told the AP. "It's like saying: Why do we have the Olympics? When everyone comes together in the Olympics, there's no problems. That's what I'm doing. That's all I'm doing."

Dennis Rodman Talks Gay Rumors On HuffPost Live

Dennis Rodman in Full Bloom: Check out youtube "Dennis Rodman strips naked into the nude."


Does it take a psychologist to figure this out? Be your own judge? Is this peace (piece) or diplomacy?

Is Dennis Rodman is a pipe layer?

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[BrettM2]

^

That's actually good news.

But effectively, since the Sterlings are divided it means they will be waging separate wars against the NBA and both have almost unlimited resources.


This sums it up pretty well:

I did read somewhere that should he file for divorce, it would automatically delay everything due to sorting out property and assets. I'm sure he'll drag this out as much as he possibly can; I just hope the NBA can get rid of him sooner than he thinks they can.

[Pete]

He'll do whatever he can to not only delay, but to make trouble for the NBA, even if that means his investment suffers.

For guys like this, it's all about power and ego, not money.


There is a special breed of rich scumbag who use our complex legal system to harass others and stall, stall, stall until the other party runs out of money or will.

The guy that owns FNC in OKC (Aaron Yashouafar, also an attorney) is part of this club. After finally getting convicted for embezzling in Las Vegas, he is once again suing and trying to dispute that he should pay the money back plus fines. This, after begging the judge to give a fine rather than jail time. If you read about him, he obtains properties then ties then up in all types of foreclosure maneuvers and shifting of convoluted ownership interests. FNC is just one of dozens of properties he holds hostage, even while driving the value down.

Sterling is the same type of guy. Hateful and vindictive with enough resources to not necessarily win, but make sure the other guy suffers greatly. Which is often the primary goal, not profit.


I've run across this sort before. In fact, a couple of years ago I was a juror on a three-week trial where a similar type person was suing their former employer. We decided against her and I suspected she and her husband were real dirtbags but the law precludes you from conducting independent research while being a juror. As soon as it was over, I Googled them and it would take pages to describe what I discovered. I'm still shocked by it and shaken to know such evil people exist in this world.

[Jim Kyle]

Just for curiosity's sake, consider this scenario: Next season begins with the ownership situation still unresolved and the Sterlings fighting their hardest to keep it that way. Tipoff time comes for the first game, and the Clipper starters come onto the court. The official tosses the ball, and all five Clippers just stand there, doing absolutely nothing. They remain in that position for the full 12 minutes of the first quarter, making no effort to either score or defend. If fouled by their opponents in an effort to force some competition, they simply toss the ball well over the glass, making it perfectly clear that the intent is to score zero points for the entire game. If the officials call technicals for "not respecting the game" eventually the entire team might be ejected due to the double-T rule. What then?

Do their contracts actually demand that they put forth any effort, or is that simply assumed by the nature of their employment?

I'm sure that such a situation will never happen, but it's a bit amusing to consider what the fan reaction to it might be, not to mention the response of the NBA. I suspect an immediate result might be cancellation of the team's schedule for the season...

[dankrutka]

Is Dennis Rodman is a pipe layer?

Huh?

[Klop]

I think Dennis Rodman's citizenship should be revoked. Then promptly deported. Or, arrested for espionage.

Not sure how this thread came to include Rodman. If I never hear is name again, it will not be soon enough.

[soonerguru]

Dennis Rodman was a very good basketball player, spent significant time playing in Oklahoma, and got it on with Madonna. Who cares if he's a lousy diplomat?

[Pete]

Anyone catch Sterling's interview with Anderson Cooper? Would give you a good window into why he was so despised long before this latest incident.

You kept expecting one of Donald Sterling's handlers to walk on the set of the stomach-turning, head-scratching, jaw-dropping interview he was giving to Anderson Cooper, call a halt to everything and gently lead the 80-year-old Clippers owner away to some quiet place. That would have been the wise, not to mention humane, thing to do. Either that, or surely "Sterling" would eventually pull off his rubber mask, reveal himself to be Will Ferrell and scream, "Live from New York, it's Saturday night!"

But no, it was all real, and it went on seemingly forever on CNN, and it provided even more evidence that Sterling is not only a classless man but also a clueless one. Already banned for life from the NBA for the racist comments he made in a recorded conversation with a female friend, he accomplished nothing in the taped interview that aired Monday night other than to erase whatever last vestiges of sympathy anyone might have had for him. And the saddest thing is, he thought he was apologizing.

Sterling prattled on with a string of comments that were offensive, hypocritical, inaccurate, nonsensical or some combination thereof. He criticized Magic Johnson for promiscuity and for contracting HIV, as if Sterling, a married man who has bragged in graphic detail in depositions about his sexual conquests, is in any position to pass moral judgment on others. He called V. Stiviano, the woman who taped the original conversation with him, "a street person," and said "a hundred men could look at her and not even think she's pretty," as if her looks were in any way relevant to the situation. He told Cooper, "I think you have more of a plantation mentality than I do. I think you're more of a racist than I am," as if that statement made the slightest bit of sense in any imaginable way, which it does not.


Read More: Donald Sterling digs deeper hole with repulsive CNN interview - NBA - Phil Taylor - SI.com

[Urbanized]

If Bobby Moynihan doesn't impersonate Sterling in this week's SNL cold open, I will eat my hat.

[Laramie]

The force inside Chesapeake Energy Arena mesmerized the Thunder; energized them to victory

.

What they're saying in Los Angeles:

How it all went wrong for the Clippers...

T he most infuriating part of the WORST COLLAPSE IN NBA PLAYOFFS HISTORY is that a handful of things actually went the Clippers' way Tuesday when they lost a 13-

point lead over the final 4 minutes 13 seconds..

How it all went wrong for the Clippers*-*Los Angeles Times

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[OSUMom]

I don't know.... I felt the Thunder collapse in game 4 was pretty epic. But I'm sure to them it wasn't a Thunder collapse as much as it was a Clipper rally.

[Laramie]

'Birds' of a feather, flock together?'

Mark Cuban speaks out.

Mark Cuban tries to start more thoughtful discussion of race, finds it?s not easy | ProBasketballTalk

Anyone notice that Clay Bennett didn't attempt to weigh in on the Sterling situation? Clay made a general owner's statement then left this hot potato alone.

NBA's increased pressure for Stering to sell?.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/reports...MxBHNlYwNzcg--

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[dankrutka]

I appreciate Mark Cuban igniting a dialogue about racism and bigotry. As he said, we all hold prejudices. Honestly, admitting our prejudices is a necessary starting point for making sure we don't act on them, and then, hopefully, we can work together to address systemic injustices. He could have used a different example besides the hoodie one and he apologized for that, but that's what an honest dialogue is about. Mistakes are okay and we learn and grow together.

I'm a little confused about what you're saying about Bennett, Laramie. As you pointed out, Bennett was pretty quick to make a statement regarding the Sterling incident. What else did you want him to do? He addressed it and moved on. He didn't avoid it. Anyway, it now looks like the Sterling's will sell: Donald Sterling allows Shelly Sterling to negotiate sale of Los Angeles Clippers - ESPN Los Angeles

[Pete]

I knew that Sterling would turn this into an ugly fight and would never just comply.

If you didn't already know, the rest of the world is about to find out that he's a special breed of hateful, demonic, black-hearted a-hole:



Donald Sterling: Proceedings a sham

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling responded forcefully Tuesday to the NBA's charges to terminate his ownership, while his estranged wife, Shelly Sterling, continued to move quickly to sell the team by the end of the week.

Donald Sterling's lawyer, Max Blecher, told ESPN on Tuesday that his client "is going to fight to the bloody end" and has effectively "disavowed" the agreement he reached with his wife last week that would allow her to negotiate a sale of the team.

"I don't know what agreement she has with him, but I'm saying to you today, he disavows anything she's doing to sell the team," Blecher said. "He says, 'It's my team, and I'll sell it when and if I get around to it.'"

In documents sent to the league, Donald Sterling denied every allegation and charge made by the NBA and asked that the proceedings to terminate him at a hearing of the board of governors June 3 be dismissed.

Asked why Sterling seems to have had a change of heart, Blecher said, "He was in a state of shock at first. Now he's recovering and he's much more feisty."

Shelly Sterling and her advisers were undeterred by Donald Sterling's position and continued to move swiftly to sell the team, setting a deadline of Wednesday morning for the first round of bidding on the team, sources told ESPN.

Pierce O'Donnell, the attorney for Shelly Sterling, issued a statement Tuesday stating that his client had a written agreement with her husband to sell the team and she "and the NBA are working cooperatively on the transaction."

ESPN, meanwhile, has obtained a letter, dated May 22, that was sent from Donald Sterling's lawyer to the NBA, in which he tells the league he has authorized Shelly "to negotiate with the National Basketball Association regarding all issues in connection with the sale of the Los Angeles Clippers team, owned by LAC Basketball Club, Inc."

Shelly Sterling has retained Bank of America to help sell the franchise. ESPN reported Sunday that at least six serious groups have approached Shelly Sterling and her advisers about purchasing the team. Four of those groups are known: former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer; a group including music mogul David Geffen, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and Oprah Winfrey; billionaire surgeon and entrepreneur Patrick Soon-Shiong; and a group including former NBA star Grant Hill and Southern California businessmen Tony Ressler and Bruce Karsh.

One source with knowledge of the process estimated that most of the first bids will start at $1 billion.

Bank of America made bid books with financial information on the team available to potential buyers Tuesday. The Clippers' television rights are up in two years, a key reason the franchise could sell for more than $1 billion. However, the Clippers still have nine years remaining on their current lease with Staples Center, according to sources.

The dispute between the Sterlings comes as the NBA continues to press for a June 3 hearing of the board of governors, which will end with a vote on whether to terminate Donald Sterling's ownership.

It has been made clear to the Sterlings that the NBA would not accept any situation in which either of them retains an interest in the team after it is sold, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.

Donald Sterling responded Tuesday evening to the NBA's charges and attempt to terminate his ownership by calling the league's penalties "draconian" and the proceedings a "sham."

"I believe what they've done is illegal and it will not hold up in court," Blecher told ESPN. "I believe what they're doing is a blatant invasion of his constitutional rights because they're using a tape recording that he did not consent to, and under California law, that recording cannot be used for any purpose, for any proceeding.

"So if the basis of their case is illegal evidence, they don't have much of a case. ...The whole thing is a pile of garbage."

In the documents sent to the NBA offices Tuesday, Sterling denies every allegation and charge made by the NBA and asks that the proceedings to terminate him at a hearing of the board of governors June 3 be dismissed.

Both Sterlings had until midnight ET to respond to the NBA's charges that Donald Sterling damaged it and its business partners, including the players, with his racist comments. Shelly Sterling also filed a response to the league's termination charges, reasserting her 50 percent ownership interest in the team and contending that she is being unfairly punished for her husband's actions.

In a statement from vice president of communications Mike Bass, the NBA said the responses from the lawyers representing Donald and Shelly Sterling will be distributed -- together with the charge -- to the board of governors before the hearing next Tuesday.

"Should the Board vote to sustain the charge, the Sterlings' interests in the Clippers will be terminated and the team will be sold," the league said.

In his written response, Donald Sterling also threatens future legal action against the NBA under state or federal law, questions his ability to get a fair hearing from the board of governors (many of whom issued statements condemning his words and praising the actions of NBA commissioner Adam Silver) and states that he never intended to harm the NBA with his comments.

"This was an argument by a jealous man and the woman he loved that never should have left the privacy of the living room," the response reads. "And while Mr. Sterling said some terrible words in the passion of the argument -- as he had already publicly admitted and for which he has apologized -- he has not taken a 'position' or an 'action.'"

Sterling also argues that he is being unfairly punished commensurate with other offenses, such as the $100,000 fine Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant received in 2011 for directing a gay slur at a referee.

While his "opinions may be unpopular and false, they remain opinions," Sterling's response reads. He also questions whether the NBA is "willing to set a standard that an individual can be punished for voicing a negative opinion.

"If so, such a standard will make short shrift of many players and coaches. It will also needlessly suppress free speech."

Sterling specifically references Orlando Magic owner Richard DeVos, who, in his words, "has made highly controversial comments against individuals with HIV/AIDS and generously supports anti-homosexual causes with impugnity."

Sterling contends that while his statements were regrettable, they did not have a materially adverse effect on the NBA and that because he is locked out from his offices at Staples Center, he is not able to adequately respond to those charges.

"Among other things," Sterling's response reads, "he cannot verify how many season ticket holders have demanded refunds, how many individuals purchased season tickets after the illegal recording was released, and how merchandise and concession sales were impacted after the illegal recording."

Sterling's response also claims it would cost him $300 million to $500 million in capital gains taxes if he is forced to sell now rather than pass the team on to his heirs.

[Bellaboo]

Sterling is such a fool amoung other things.

[Pete]

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to buy Clippers for $2 billion
JAMES RAINEY


Former Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer won a frenetic bidding war for ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers, with his $2-billion offer setting a record price for an NBA team, The Times has learned.

Ballmer, who was chief executive of Microsoft for 14 years, was chosen over competitors that included Los Angeles-based investors Tony Ressler and Steve Karsh and a group that included David Geffen and executives from the Guggenheim Group, the Chicago-based owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

A person with knowledge of the negotiations said the Geffen group bid $1.6 billion and Ressler at $1.2 billion.

The sale price is almost four times the highest previous NBA franchise sale price -- the $550 million paid earlier this month for the Milwaukee Bucks. It is second only to the Dodgers 2012 sale for $2.1 billion as the highest price for any sports team in North America.

The prospective sale by Clippers co-owner Shelly Sterling comes five days ahead of an NBA hearing to oust her family from ownership following a controversy in which Donald Sterling insulted African-Americans in a secret audio recording.

The tentative deal still must receive the blessing of her husband, Donald Sterling, who has waxed and waned on the question of whether he would allow his wife to sell the team he has controlled for more than three decades.

The deal also needs the eventual approval of 29 other NBA owners, but is expected to clear that hurdle as long as Ballmer reaffirms his pledge to keep the team in Los Angeles and not move it to Seattle, where he lives.

Ballmer, 58, left the software giant in February and has an estimated net worth of $20 billion. Unlike other bidders, he did not immediately seek out partners for the purchase of the Clippers.

Ballmer last year joined a group, led by hedge fund manager Chris Hansen, to bid on the Sacramento Kings, intending to move the team to Seattle. NBA owners voted to reject the proposed move.

The businessman said in a recent interview that he had no intention of moving the Clippers. He said that the high valuations for the team only made sense in Los Angeles -- the second biggest media market in the country.

[Urbanized]

Holy lord.

[Pete]

Let's see if Donald pockets this almost $2 billion payday or chooses to fight just because he's an evil jackass.

[windowphobe]

Well, he is indisputably an evil jackass, but the 29 other owners, who will see the values of their teams rise commensurately -- I'm betting the Thunder could now bring $800-900 million -- will lean on him something fierce.

[jn1780]

Well, he is indisputably an evil jackass, but the 29 other owners, who will see the values of their teams rise commensurately -- I'm betting the Thunder could now bring $800-900 million -- will lean on him something fierce.

I wouldn't want to be hated by a bunch or rich guys when money is involved. The chances of having a "Heart attack" while in the bath tub goes up.

[Laramie]

Will Emerald City Strike Back?


Clippers to Seattle?

Want to blow this happy ending?

Allow the Clippers to be sold to a pair of relative unknowns, then let them move the team to Seattle for two seasons at KeyArena before a Sodo venue is built.

Just think about how Sonics fans feel about Clay Bennett, then multiply it by a thousand.

No, the NBA will never let that happen.

The Clippers to Seattle is a long shot, at best | NBA | The Seattle Times

Remember when Los Angeles went after the SeaHawks: NFL Seahawks Moving to L.A.--or Are They? - Los Angeles Times

We are very fortunate to have an NBA franchise in Oklahoma.

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.