2014 Year in Review: April Edition
By DJ Smith
Donald Sterling comments go public
Nov 13, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling (left) and wife Shelly Sterling attend the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Thunder 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
On April 25th, TMZ Sports released a recording of a conversation that then-L.A Clippers owner Donald Sterling and female friend V. Stivano had in which Sterling made several racist remarks to Stivano. In the conversation Sterling was upset that Stivano had posted a picture of her and basketball legend Magic Johnson, and asked her “not to bring them to my games.” The conversation went on for several more minutes and Sterling continued with his racist remarks. In the following days there was anger amongst the NBA players, coaches and fans, including members of the Clippers organization. The Clippers were in the middle of their playoff matchup with the Golden State Warriors and reports leaked out that coach Doc Rivers and point guard Chris Paul had brought up the possibility of boycotting Game 4 of their series in protest of Sterling’s comments. The NBA vowed to take action against Sterling and did just 4 days later when commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling for life.