I disagree, but until "due process" unfolds and the reprehensible audio tapes are authenticated, their "wait and see" approach is probably justified. Best to let the NBA run its investigation before jumping to conclusions or delusions.
I thought the Clippers' players should have done more, on Sunday, than reverse their warmup shirts and wear black socks in protest of Sterling's alleged bigoted statements. They chose not to, but now several players, coaches and media members are urging the public to boycott Tuesday night's playoff game between the Clippers and Warriors at Staples Center.
WAIT A MINUTE!!
The players and coaches are not willing to put the fight for human decency ahead of basketball, but the fans are supposed to? The game is bigger than the controversy, except when it comes to the fans?
I'll say this, if you don't already have a ticket for Tuesday night's game DO NOT GO, but if you paid for a ticket, you deserve to see your team play in the NBA playoffs.
Wear your Clippers' gear inside out,!
Bring your signs!
Send your message to ownership!
Not using a paid ticket will not puncture Donald Sterling's "plantation owner mentality" and it will not hurt him in the wallet! The players are under contract. They will get their paychecks whether two fans or 20,000 fans show up at Staples Center.
If "taking a stand" by boycotting a game is not important enough to the players, they should not expect the fans to do it for them. Most of the tickets for Tuesday night's game were purchased by people who don't make millions of dollars. They may have saved all year to buy playoff tickets to see their Clippers in action. Right now, they may despise "The Donald" more than ever, but the fans have been watching and supporting the team all season long.
If Sterling made the racist remarks, and his history indicates that he probably did, then I hope the NBA suspends him for a full season or puts him out to pasture. Several corporate sponsors have already severed ties with the Clippers over Sterling's alleged remarks and that will hit the "boss" in the bank account, but if the players think it is okay to participate in these playoff games, the fans who have already purchased tickets should go to the arena and support the Clippers in spite of the team's owner.
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NOTE TO MEDIA:
Here in America, even ignorant, bigoted people are innocent until proven guilty.
We all deserve due process.
No matter what you think, or how you feel, about Donald Sterling, until he is undeniably proven to be the person making the racist remarks on the controversial tapes, he is "alleged"to be the male in the conversation and should be described as such in every news report. Like him or not, we wouldn't want it any other way if we were in Sterling's very expensive shoes right now. This is a news story about a sports personality. Treat it as a news story and not as some bar room chat where your opinion might be welcomed!
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