The PR issue extends to not punishing him, though. People think he shouldn't have any influence over the Clippers. The NBA wants him to sell the team. The fine, etc. are designed to encourage him to sell.
It's a good thing he didn't say don't bring your white friends... I'm sure the outrage would have been ten fold.
This article is the truth and is needed. Sorry if that is inconvenient. It's too easy to conduct a trial and convict in the media. This guy is a turd, but why all the hoopla about it right now? Everyone know's/knew he was a turd, and he still is a turd. There HAS to be more to this... But, everyone was happy last night, so all is well.
I don't see how the fine encourages him to sell, unless they're planning to use it as a bargaining chip (i.e., agree to drop the fine in exchange for Sterling agreeing to accept all the other sanctions including selling the team). Simply "dropping" the fine may be difficult now that Silver is on recording promising that the fine will go to relevant charities. Either the other owners would have to chip in to pay in his place, or the charities would get stiffed.
Well, let me put it this way, if he was caught on tape telling his doctor, lawyer, or priest not to bring black people to his games and not to have your picture taken with blacks and posted on Instagram -- to not be seen publicly with blacks, I would feel no different than I do today. Now, if Sterling were caught on tape telling his therapist or priest about his prejudice and how he didn't like blacks and latinos (or whoever), but wished to get help with this problem, then I would say, he should get some serious consideration. Sterling didn't "create" the Clippers, he bought into the NBA through his ownership of the team. As such he, like the other owners, is held to a standard set by the league's other owners and the players' union. He agreed to uphold those standards when he bought the franchise. He violated those rules and he is being punished. It is the same with the players. He has a certain amount of autonomy as owner, but not "complete" autonomy.
This week is rounding into something special. First getting rid of Sterling and now Mike D'Antoni resigns as Lakers coach today. If someone were choosing the new coach other than Jimmy Buss I might actually be doing the dance of joy right now rather than just grinning like a fool. Oh, and the Kings coming back from 0-3 and eliminating San Jose doesn't suck either.
Bill Simmons has written a column about Sterling. I love the way this guy writes, and there are some interesting "rumors" he mentions in the article. Linkypoo
DeAndre Jordan accidentally banking in a critical free throw is God's way of signaling His approval of Sterling's ouster? Sure, why not.
And now the "girlfriend" is claiming that Sterling is not a racist after all. Sure she is. She's doing it so the bastard won't sue her for recording the conversation. And/or he paid her off. Either way is equally likely.
Have some respect, goddammit! Her sugar daddy has probably cut off all her credit cards. This is devastating for her. What if she has to get a job? One where she isn't an "assistant"?
In better news, the Thunder rolls......yessssss..... the Oklahoman should have a nasty headline about Durant every once in a while. It worked like a pest repellant. Tony-Allen-BE-GONE in a can.
To Dorian: It's only one game, the least important game of a 7 games series to boot. Thunder looked like they were still in "Memphis" mode last night, playing two steps slower than the Clips. It was like they kept looking for the slow down game and it never came. It won't, not from the Clips. I'm certain the CP3 won't shoot like he did last night in game2. God, Blake Griffin is so unlikable. To me, the reason is that he is big, physical, and athletic, but still resorts to little penny ante tactics to get an edge. He already has an edge, why stoop so low to gain more. Dick. Although I maintain that the Thunder traded away their championship with James Harden (they won't get a ring until they successfully replace him), I think they will beat the Clips. They are going to have to, of course, win game 2 and then get one at Staples. Won't be easy. Clips are riding an emotional high which has them really confident. Thunder will have to deflate them a bit and they'll be malleable enough.
I saw his acceptance speech yesterday and got a little choked up. He's very humble, and just a really classy guy.