Adam Silver and the league office should do everything possible to cut all ties with Donald Sterling if it is found he was behind the horrific remarks, an admittedly uphill battle considering Sterling owns the LA Clippers.
There is no place for ignorant, hateful words in the NBA or in our society.
However, as Silver and the NBA deal with the Sterling situation, let’s not lose sight of how historically great this first round of playoff basketball has been. The Clippers players have worked so hard to turn one of the worst franchises in professional sporting history into a franchise contender.
As Magic Johnson (who was mentioned by Sterling, allegedly, in an incredibly racist recording obtained by TMZ) said on ESPN’s NBA Countdown today:
“I’m really upset that we’re sitting here talking about Donald Sterling and this tape when the spotlight should be on the playoffs. These playoffs have been tremendous.”
I can’t say I’m old enough to recall the majority of the NBA’s playoff series, but many folks who are certainly seem believe that so far, this first round has the making of the greatest we’ve ever seen.
Take a look at what these guys have to say about what we’ve seen so far:
“The most thrilling first round in NBA history,” Kevin Harland said.
“The best Round 1 we’ve had,” said Bill Simmons.
“The best first round I’ve seen in over 35 years of being associated with this league,” Magic Johnson said.
Let’s take a quick look.
Indiana versus Atlanta may see an eighth seed beat a first seed, while the Clippers and Warriors could fill your nightly top 10 plays on their own.
Dallas, expected by many to be made light work of by the Spurs, lead the series 2-1 on the back of a miraculous Vince Carter three point buzzer beater.
Brooklyn versus Toronto looks like it might be going to seven games. It’s a series which has seen Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri yell “F*ck Brooklyn” to a screaming crowd of Raptors fans, KG returning serve with “I don’t know if you can say f*ck Brooklyn and then come in to Brooklyn”.
Not to mention The Truth has emerged, particularly when it matters most, and Kyle Lowry has been pushing through as many injuries and opponents as he has to in order to win.
Both the OKC versus Memphis and Portland versus Houston series have seen three of the four games go to overtime. There is genuine mutual dislike lingering in both series, fuelling an absurd level of intensity and exacerbated by wild crowds. It’s all accumulating in some kind of hyperactive madness, which reminds us why we love this part of the basketball calendar so dearly.
Yes, Sterling is an allegedly racist human being who needs to be removed from professional basketball.
No, I’m not saying let’s ignore this Sterling issue just because great basketball is being played. That would be the worst thing we could do.
My point is that we should let Sterling’s alleged idiocy be a sobering reminder that we’re still some way from a racism free world.
All the while we should remember, though, that his alleged crime is an even greater one if we allow it to take our collective attention away from the world class performances on the court. The athletes who work for him (and their counterparts around the league) have worked so hard to produce during these spectacular playoffs.
mushi
Guest
Is that from a sports law site or form ESPN? As I said I' haven't seen anything first hand so happy to take guidance on it
nordster
Guest
Its a cultural change...id prefer it happen organically rather than authorities in whatever context "do something". People should be free to be openly racist, otherwise it festers. I think in the longer range scheme of things, the anti racist sentiment is very positive. The 'system' ...or lack there of ....is working.
Cat
Roar Guru
The lifetime ban doesn't need the other owners support, but the forced sale will require a 3/4 majority support, that vote has not yet taken place.
mushi
Guest
The telling part is that according to some source on sports law sites (the NBA constitution is confidential so there is no certainty around this) is that this type of sanction would have required support from the other 29 owners something everyone feared would be difficult to get from a bunch of predominantly old rich white guys that only stood to lose on an individual basis from setting the precedent. Only down side is that Sterling will still pocket ~750m out of the forced sale.
Cat
Roar Guru
Well the NBA has reacted, lifetime ban for Stirling and the league will attempt to force him to sell the team. Strong and powerful statement by the league, and its the right one.
Bill Larkin
Guest
"Allegedly"??? He had the smoking gun in his hand. This must relinquish his control of the team immediately.
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
Well written Nick. Sadly, this is the world we live in, and for as a great as the play-offs have been - and they have been amazing - possibly the best first round ever - the world will continue to focus on the bigot Sterling. You're right - we are still a long way from a racism-free world. The NBA's hands are tied to some degree and Sterling won't be stripped of ownership. He can't, under the constitution. He will be hit with a hefty fine and lengthy suspension - the maximum. Other sports haven't had the same restrictions placed on them, yet have dropped the ball regards racism. Time and again we’ve seen athletes say no to racism, only for authorities to let them down by not following their lead, slapping offenders on the wrist with a feather. UEFA, the NFL, and European Tour, are just some of the blundering bodies that have had the opportunity to make a strong statement – that racism is and will not be condoned. They all failed. At Euro 2012, UEFA fined Danish striker, Nicklas Bendtner, was fined $138,000 and banned for one game for promoting a betting agency on the waistband of his underwear while celebrating a goal against Portugal. As if the over-the-top sanction wasn’t enough, when you compare it to some of the fines UEFA has handed out for incidents relating to racism, it’s plain farcical. The Serbian Football Federation was fined $23,000 for racially abusing England’s Nedum Onuoha at the European Under-21 Championship in the Netherlands, while Porto was also slapped with a $23,000 fine after some of their fans subjected then Manchester City striker, Mario Balotelli, to prolonged racist abuse, during a Europa League tie. Hopefully the NBA announce their sanction (today I believe) and it's accepted without contest. But, given the character of Sterling, or lack there of, that's unlikely.
Clark
Guest
With all major sponsors cutting ties with the Clippers, it looks like it will be the beginning of the end for Sterling.
nordster
Guest
The guy is a fossil, let the market punish him until someone else can come in and pick up the team for peanuts! From his estate sale ideally...
Ben Gibbon
Roar Guru
absolutely no room for this in sport