New Album & The Beginning of Basketball Season

[Steve Williams]

Looks like I am going to revoke my Lakers' fan status..........

Report: Lakers will bring back Mike D’Antoni (other reports say that’s not official… yet)

Kurt Helin

If you want to see how angry you can make your friend the Lakers’ fan, just read him this next sentence:

The Lakers are bringing back Mike D’Antoni for another season.

That is exactly what will happen, reports Mark Heisler in the Orange County Register. But other well-connected reporters say that is not the case, at least not officially yet.

Here is what Heisler reported:

After 10 days of soul searching, the key figures in Lakers management are agreed on bringing back D’Antoni for a third season as coach, a source with knowledge of the deliberations told the Register…

The Lakers have yet to inform D’Antoni of anything, but they intend to keep him, absolving him of blame for the 27-55 finish without Bryant and Steve Nash for 141 of a possible 162 games…

Jim is aligned with GM Mitch Kupchak, a steadfast D’Antoni defender emerging as an ever-stronger figure with a multi-year extension in the wake of their misadventures.

 

[FrantzM]

More lean years ahead for us Lakers fan if this is true. At least we'll get some choice draft picks . Sad ending for Kobe's carreer...

 

[WLVCA]

Unfortunately Donald Sterling, owner of the Clippers, is at it again. His mistress recorded a phone conversation with him in which he asks her not to publically associate with African Americans at "his games." In an ironic twist, the mistress is of mixed race. She provided the recording to the gossip site TMZ.

Its time for the NBA to "encourage" him to sell the franchise. Not the first time he has had issues of this type.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-b...african-americans-to--my-games-064539618.html

 

[Steve Williams]

Report: Clippers owner Donald Sterling caught on tape telling his girlfriend to not bring African-Americans to 'my games'

By Kelly Dwyer

TMZ revealed a recording early Saturday morning of what it says is Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling pathetically admonishing his girlfriend for “associating” with African-Americans – apparently she made the major mistake, in Sterling’s eyes, of posing for a photo with Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, a photo she later uploaded to her Instagram account.

It's a shocking and infuriating 9½-minute bit of tape that should embarrass the NBA and force new commissioner Adam Silver into action.

According to TMZ's recording, Sterling went on to chide his girlfriend, who is half-African-American and half-Mexican, for bringing African-Americans to Clippers games, even if those guests in question were of exalted status as Magic is, and even if she’s never done as much.

The recording is an absolutely depressing listen, to say the least. Here are some of the snippets, according to TMZ, from Sterling, who told his girlfriend V. Stiviano that he feels “very strongly” about her “broadcasting” the fact she briefly spoke to and posed with a very famous black man:

-- "It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?" (3:30)

-- "You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it on that ... and not to bring them to my games." (5:15)

-- "...Don't put him [Magic] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don't bring him to my games." (9:13)
Donald Sterling is the NBA’s great shame, and now a major media outlet apparently has him on record as telling a woman – one that he obscenely disrespects throughout the entire exchange – that he doesn’t want African-Americans coming to his basketball games. Whether Sterling is sadly mixing up his words or only referring to Magic Johnson personally, or jealous of the brief attention his much younger girlfriend (Sterling is still married to another woman, mind you) received isn’t the point – the point is that the NBA has to do something about its biggest problem.

This is indefensible. Sterling’s treatment of this woman is execrable enough, but the clear intent of his message and what’s simmering just underneath what he actually lets out should be enough to force what has previously been a spineless league (regarding the Clippers' owner) into action. The Clippers could boast a lily-white roster and coaching staff, that part barely matters in relation to Donald Sterling – owner of an NBA team – being taped telling someone he doesn’t want African-Americans at his basketball games.

Fight with his girl, heat of the moment, jealous as hell – it does not matter.

This is Silver’s first great task. He’ll have to balance the interests of a small team-owning few versus the respect of hundreds of millions. This, like Donald Sterling, is a no-brainer.

Unfortunately Donald Sterling, owner of the Clippers, is at it again. His mistress recorded a phone conversation with him in which he asks her not to publically associate with African Americans at "his games." In an ironic twist, the mistress is of mixed race. She provided the recording to the gossip site TMZ.

Its time for the NBA to "encourage" him to sell the franchise. Not the first time he has had issues of this type.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-b...african-americans-to--my-games-064539618.html

what's also amazing is that he is still married

 

[WLVCA]

I missed your earlier post on this subject, Steve.

Bad day to be a Clipper fan.

 

[Steve Williams]

Magic's tweets........


Lakers News: Magic Johnson Responds To Donald Sterling’s Comments

http://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-...onds-to-donald-sterlings-comments/2014/04/26/

 

[Steve Williams]

NBA probing recording alleged to be Clippers owner

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The NBA is investigating a report of an audio recording in which a man identified as Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling tells his girlfriend not to bring black people to games.



NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement Saturday that the league is in the process of authenticating the validity of the recording posted on TMZ's website. Bass called the comments "disturbing and offensive" and said the league would have no further comment.

In the recording posted on TMZ, the man questions his girlfriend's association with minorities. TMZ reported the woman, V. Stiviano, who is of black and Mexican descent, posted a picture of herself with Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson on Instagram - which has since been removed.

The man asked Stiviano not to broadcast her association with black people or bring black people to games.
The man specifically mentioned Magic Johnson on the recording, saying "don't bring him to my games, OK?"

"I will never go to a Clippers game again as long as Donald Sterling is the owner," Johnson responded on Twitter. He also said the alleged comments are "a black eye for the NBA" and said he felt bad that friends such as Clippers coach Doc Rivers and Clippers point guard Chris Paul had to work for Sterling.
Former Clippers guard Baron Davis wrote on Twitter that Sterling's discrimination has been "going on for a long time."

New NBA commissioner Adam Silver was scheduled to address media Saturday night in Memphis before the Grizzlies' playoff game.
On TNT's halftime studio show, host Charles Barkley said: "This is the first test of Adam Silver. He's got to suspend him 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.

"You can't have this guy making statements like that. You have to suspend him and fine him immediately."
NBA TV analyst and former player Chris Webber said that "the NBA owners need to handle their own."

A spokeswoman for the Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network, Jacky Johnson, said the organization planned a protest outside Tuesday night's NBA playoff game in Los Angeles.
In Dallas, where the Spurs were getting ready to play the Mavericks, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said: "The comments are obviously disgusting."
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said "I have plenty of opinions, just not going to share them," fending off several inquiries before saying: "Obviously if any business or entrepreneur says or does things that aren't congruent with what the organization is trying to convey, that's a problem. But it's not my problem."
Messages seeking comment from the Clippers were not returned.

The Clippers were practicing in San Francisco ahead of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. Los Angeles leads 2-1.
Rivers and players were scheduled to speak to reporters at 12:30 p.m. PDT Saturday before they practiced at the University of San Francisco.
Sterling, a real estate owner, bought the Clippers in 1981. He is the longest-tenured owner in the NBA since Lakers owner Jerry Buss died last year.
He has been frequently criticized for his frugal operation of the Clippers, although in recent years he has spent heavily to add stars such as Paul and Rivers, who led the team back to the playoffs in his first year as coach.

Sterling has been involved in several lawsuits over the years, including ones with discrimination accusations.
In November 2009, Sterling agreed to pay $2.73 million to settle allegations by the government that he refused to rent apartments to Hispanics and blacks and to families with children. The Justice Department sued Sterling in August 2006 for allegations of housing discrimination in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles.

In March 2011, Sterling won a lawsuit against former Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor when a jury rejected the Hall of Famer's claim of age discrimination and harassment. Baylor, who was 76 at the time, had sought about $2 million after claiming he was forced out of the job he had held for 22 years. The team said Baylor left on his own and a jury awarded him nothing.

Sterling is a courtside fixture at Clippers home games. But he rarely visits the team's locker room at Staples Center, although he made an appearance in December 2012 after they had won their 11th straight game, when he led an awkward locker room cheer.

 

[jadis]

Pacers even series. I must say the Hawks are playing great ball. Their outside shots are going in and you gotta just shake your head if these kinds of shots rains in. For the only team with a losing record in the playoffs, its amazing how they are playing now.

 

[Steve Williams]

what a finish in Dallas who are down 108-106 with 1.2 seconds left only to have Carter make a 3 at the buzzer

Final 109-108

Exciting game

 

[jadis]

what a finish in Dallas who are down 108-106 with 1.2 seconds left only to have Carter make a 3 at the buzzer

Final 109-108

Exciting game

What a game indeed. Manu was poised, but I never would have thought or bet that Vince Carter's shot would go in from the far side. Dallas is dangerous if they advance. The poise of Dirk, and now with Monte and Devin playing great ball...And Rick Carlisle is the only coach to beat the Heat since James joined them...Interesting. My heart still want the Spurs to go back to the Finals.

What's with the 8th seed. Hawks and Dallas playing tough.

Has there been an owner in pro sports who jumps, hugs, and make primal screams on the court aside from Mark Cuban? Boy, he must be loving his life!

 

[Steve Williams]

Has there been an owner in pro sports who jumps, hugs, and make primal screams on the court aside from Mark Cuban? Boy, he must be loving his life!

Prior to the Mavs winning the championship I thought Cuban was an arrogant a$$hole but afterwards I thought he was terrific and he truly loves the game

 

[jadis]

Prior to the Mavs winning the championship I thought Cuban was an arrogant a$$hole but afterwards I thought he was terrific and he truly loves the game

The sight of him cheering and hugging each player as he sees them is something. As a player, I would be getting a lot of emotional boost, from the owner at that. Yeah, he truly loves the game.

 

[jadis]

It's gonna be hard for Doc and the players to play on with this issue burning up at this critical time. There will be some emotional effect on their game from now on.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/clippe...leged-comments-by-team-s-owner-202850099.html

 

[MylesBAstor]

Prior to the Mavs winning the championship I thought Cuban was an arrogant a$$hole but afterwards I thought he was terrific and he truly loves the game

Doesn't change that he's an ahole.

 

[WLVCA]

It's gonna be hard for Doc and the players to play on with this issue burning up at this critical time. There will be some emotional effect on their game from now on.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/clippe...leged-comments-by-team-s-owner-202850099.html

It definitely affected their play today and the Warriors won by 21. It was obvious that Chris Paul was very upset in his post game interview. Blake seemed to handle himself a little better.

What a shame that this season was destroyed by Sterling. Wish that guy would disappear - one way or another.

 

[WLVCA]

My best guess is that the Clippers will be sold and moved to Seattle. May take some time.

For the NBA it resolves the Sterling issue and puts a team in a city that should have one.

 

[Steve Williams]

My best guess is that the Clippers will be sold and moved to Seattle. May take some time.

For the NBA it resolves the Sterling issue and puts a team in a city that should have one.

That's an excellent thought

Tough loss for the Clipps tonight

 

[JackD201]

Tough loss for the Spurs too.

 

[jadis]

The west has really strong teams. Houston is poised to be eliminated by Portland, who has shown lots of firepower. Clips were in low morale in their loss, unnecessary distraction ironically from their owner. It has no place in sports.

 

[Steve Williams]

IMO this year's round one in the playoffs is the most exciting I can ever remember