The alleged racist remarks made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling have prompted a strong reaction from NBA superstars around the league, former players and President Barack Obama.
As previously reported, TMZ released a nine-minute recording of Sterling engaged in an argument with girlfriend V. Stiviano over her public association with Black people. Sterling continuously begged Stiviano to not bring Black people to any Clippers games.
In a press conference Saturday night, new NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that a full investigation was being launched “to get to the bottom” of the recording and its authenticity.
“All members of the NBA family should be afforded due process,” said Silver. “Which is why I’m not yet prepared to issue any potential sanctions against Donald Sterling. We will move extraordinarily quickly. We plan to have this wrapped up in the next few days.”
Silver added that Sterling would not be in attendance at Sunday’s playoff game between the Clippers and Golden State Warriors due to the backlash.
On Sunday, President Obama described the comments as “incredibly offensive racist statements.” He added:
“When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don’t really have to do anything, you just let them talk. [...] We’ve made enormous strides, but you’re going to continue to see this percolate up every so often. And I think that we just have to be clear and steady in denouncing it, teaching our children differently, but also remaining hopeful that part of why statements like this stand out some much is because there has been this shift in how we view ourselves.”
Following the recording’s release, it didn’t take long for several NBA heavy hitters to speak up. Reactions included:
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers: “As far as the comments, we’re not happy with them.”
Chris Paul: “This is a very serious issue which we will address aggressively. We have asked Mayor Kevin Johnson to expand his responsibilities with the NBPA, to determine our response and our next steps. As players, we owe it to our teams and our fans to keep our focus on our game, the playoffs, and a drive to the Finals.”
LeBron James: “There’s no room for Donald Sterling in the NBA. [...] It’s unacceptable. It’s unacceptable in our league. It doesn’t matter if you’re white, black, Hispanic, whatever, all across the races. It’s unacceptable. And as a commissioner of our league, you have to make a stand and you have to be very aggressive with it. I don’t know what it’s gonna be, but you just can’t have that in our league.”
Kobe Bryant: “I couldn’t play for him.”
Magic Johnson: “I will never go to a Clippers game again as long as Donald Sterling is the owner. 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. LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s comments about African Americans are a black eye for the NBA.”
Baron Davis: “Been going on for a long time, Hats off 2 the Team.. 4 playin above it all.”