NBA News Wire
What they’re saying: Outrage at Sterling’s remarks
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
Comments allegedly made my Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling incited outrage and anger on Saturday. Here is a sampling of the indignation that many around the NBA expressed Saturday.
“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.”
“I will never go to a Clippers game again as long as Donald Sterling is the owner.”
–Magic Johnson in a set of tweets
“I would really have to sit down with my teammates, talk to my family because at the end of the day, our family, and our teammates are way more important than (playing for a chance to win an NBA championship).
“I hate the fact that something like this has to come out when the playoffs have been unbelievable … but there is no room for Donald Sterling in our league.”
–LeBron James, Miami Heat star
“All this sterling outrage speaks to how naive and gullible folks have become about race”
–David West, Indiana Pacers forward on Twitter
“Racism is a mental health disease. Seek help.”
–Metta World Peace on Twitter
“I know coaches & players play for each other & especially THE FANS, but it would be hard for me to play another game for Sterling.”
–James Worthy, former Lakers star, via Twitter
“Been going on for a long time, Hats off 2 the Team.. 4 playin above it all.”
–Former Clippers guard Baron Davis on Twitter
“As far as the comments, we’re not happy with them.”
–Clippers coach Doc Rivers:
“This is the first test of Adam Silver. He’s got to suspend him [Sterling] right now. First of all, they’ve got to prove that’s his voice on that tape. But this is the first big test for Adam Silver.”
–Hall of Famer Charles Barkley:
“The comments are obviously disgusting.”
–San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich
“As an African-American athlete, you get discouraged that this type of thing is still condoned in people’s lives. You look at a situation where we’re good enough to work for you, but not good enough to be around you. To build a franchise, good enough to build business for you, but not good enough to mingle amongst your circles.
“(It’s a)very difficult thing to digest.”
–Golden State forward Jermaine O’Neal
