Does Donald Sterling deserve a second chance?

[Dogdeacon]

I can't believe I'm dignifying your garbage comment with a response, but here goes.

Everyone knew Sterling was a racist creep. He'd take friends in the locker room and point out the beautiful black bodies like he was Jimmy the Greek. And of course people were aware of his legal troubles, which stemmed from discriminatory practices. However, there's a line crossed when someone says "Don't associate in public with black people." That's an explicit, ridiculous statement.

I know you think you're making this critical point that everyone else is missing. You're not. You seem to be the only one not understanding the basic point that he got caught saying something outrageous, something that nobody could look past. Yes, people were digging their head in the sand a little bit. Doc and the players said, we don't like this guy but as long as he doesn't get in our business, we'll tolerate it. He got in their business, and they had to deal with it. As did the NBA.

Get it now? You're welcome.

And the problem with worrying about whether or not Doc, Elgin Baylor, Chris Paul or anyone made a mistake in being part of this organization is.. SO WHAT?! Because they 'signed on' for verbal abuse does that mean they ought to shut up and get back to work?! Anyone making that argument justifiably falls into the same bucket as Sterling. You can make a pretty good case that Doc took the job with some misgivings but knowing that the could handle it and if it was worse than expected he could walk. He might still do that after the season, but for now he's done a pretty good job of coaching and responding to this mess. And as it turns out it is GREAT that an intelligent and well spoken African American is essentially the current figurehead of the LA Clippers. You can make an argument that Doc is there for a reason bigger than coaching basketball.

 

[nomar]

And the problem with worrying about whether or not Doc, Elgin Baylor, Chris Paul or anyone made a mistake in being part of this organization is.. SO WHAT?! Because they 'signed on' for verbal abuse does that mean they ought to shut up and get back to work?! Anyone making that argument justifiably falls into the same bucket as Sterling. You can make a pretty good case that Doc took the job with some misgivings but knowing that the could handle it and if it was worse than expected he could walk. He might still do that after the season, but for now he's done a pretty good job of coaching and responding to this mess. And as it turns out it is GREAT that an intelligent and well spoken African American is essentially the current figurehead of the LA Clippers. You can make an argument that Doc is there for a reason bigger than coaching basketball.

Yep. This is a classic case of "blaming the victim," which ignorant people use to deflect the focus.

See, e.g., "HOW COME NOBODY WILL ANSWER ME WHY THAT GIRL WAS WEARING A MINISKIRT AND DRINKING?" See also "reverse racism."

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Yep. This is a classic case of "blaming the victim," which ignorant people use to deflect the focus.

See, e.g., "HOW COME NOBODY WILL ANSWER ME WHY THAT GIRL WAS WEARING A MINISKIRT AND DRINKING?" See also "reverse racism."

Who are the victims here?

 

[Husky25]

He absolutely does deserve a second chance, I think everyone does, but his second chance came years ago. This is Sterling's 5th or 6th chance.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I can't believe I'm dignifying your garbage comment with a response, but here goes.

Everyone knew Sterling was a racist creep. He'd take friends in the locker room and point out the beautiful black bodies like he was Jimmy the Greek. And of course people were aware of his legal troubles, which stemmed from discriminatory practices. However, there's a line crossed when someone says "Don't associate in public with black people." That's an explicit, ridiculous statement.

I know you think you're making this critical point that everyone else is missing. You're not. You seem to be the only one not understanding the basic point that he got caught saying something outrageous, something that nobody could look past. Yes, people were digging their head in the sand a little bit. Doc and the players said, we don't like this guy but as long as he doesn't get in our business, we'll tolerate it. He got in their business, and they had to deal with it. As did the NBA.

Get it now? You're welcome.

I find B Vogel to be particularly stupid. But it was out there that Sterling once said "black people smell and attract vermin". I don't know how you get more explicit or ridiculous?

The notion that Doc and the players are victims in all of this is laughable. The real victims were the people he didn't rent property to because he thought they smelled and attracted vermin.

 

[Jaybo]

Im almost certain their are more racist blacks in the nba then any other race, yet know one makes a big deal over thier racism towards whites.

Im not a racist but its the truth

 

[itgoeslike]

It's been widely documented that Sterling's attitude towards some has negatively impacted their lives, therefore it's not unreasonable that the very same attitude would affect his own life in a negative way. Although, unlike the people he affected, Sterling will find a way to profit greatly from the sale of the team.

 

[superjohn]

Im almost certain their are more racist blacks in the nba then any other race, yet know one makes a big deal over thier racism towards whites.

Im not a racist but its the truth

You don't seem to understand why institutional racism is such a societal problem and you clearly don't have any grasp of the English language.

 

[Dogdeacon]

I find B Vogel to be particularly stupid. But it was out there that Sterling once said "black people smell and attract vermin". I don't know how you get more explicit or ridiculous?

The notion that Doc and the players are victims in all of this is laughable. The real victims were the people he didn't rent property to because he thought they smelled and attracted vermin.

You don't need a victim for a crime, not sure why it matters or not if Doc & players are labeled victims or simply the public face of those dealing with this .

Nonetheless the players, coaches and everyone who works for the Clippers certainly discovered that their worst fears were true and they were employed by someone that didn't respect them. This would be jarring for anybody, but when you combined it with the racist attitude of this "ownership" that Sterling has it became untenable for them to continue to work with him in charge. So he got stripped.

Now he's finally trying to fight it and try to get it back but I don't see where forgiving him or giving him any quarter is productive. The Clippers were always dysfunctional when he was in charge and it is possibly only because he became more delusional and incapable of running things that other people took over and the Clippers became more functional.

Now everyone is better served if he is out forever because no one wants to work for the guy. If the legal process makes it too difficult to oust him, employees including players and coaches will absolutely walk away. That's how he's going to be forced to sell as the market value of what he's got is attractive right now, but if he fights to retain ownership he is going to drag that value down with him.

 

[aceboon]

Im almost certain their are more racist blacks in the nba then any other race, yet know one makes a big deal over thier racism towards whites.

Im not a racist but its the truth

lol @ "its the truth", your posts are always good for comedy with how uneducated and slack jawed you sound

 

[Pudge]

His comments from the weekend:

"I'm not a racist," Sterling told CNN's Anderson Cooper in an interview that will air Monday. "I made a terrible mistake. I'm here to apologize."

"I'm a good member who made a mistake and I'm apologizing and I'm asking for forgiveness," Sterling told Cooper. "Am I entitled to one mistake, am I after 35 years? I mean, I love my league, I love my partners. Am I entitled to one mistake? It's a terrible mistake, and I'll never do it again."

The obvious rebuttal is this isn't his first mistake. And, on top of that, it's not just a terrible one...it crosses a certain very touchy line. But, he's admitted fault. He's apologized and fallen on his sword.

Does he deserve to be forgiven and given another chance? What else could he possibly do to make up for his mistake (which, again...was said in the privacy of his own home).

HELL NO

 

[Rocktheworld]

Im almost certain their are more racist blacks in the nba then any other race, yet know one makes a big deal over thier racism towards whites.

Im not a racist but its the truth

And do you think Sterling's attitudes and actions help to destroy or perpetuate these interracial paradigms?

 

[Jaybo]

You don't seem to understand why institutional racism is such a societal problem and you clearly don't have any grasp of the English language.

It is a problem but theres a Huge double standard.being racist and white isnt tolerated but being a black racist is excepted.

 

[Rocktheworld]

being a black racist is excepted.

lul

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

It is a problem but theres a Huge double standard.being racist and white isnt tolerated but being a black racist is excepted.

What is this: "8 wrongs make a right?" Or more?

 

[itgoeslike]

Im almost certain their are more racist blacks in the nba then any other race, yet know one makes a big deal over thier racism towards whites.

Im not a racist but its the truth

One could argue that some of the racism towards whites could be attributed to the disposition that Mr. Sterling prescribes to.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I find this whole concern about "racism by blacks toward whites" and "reverse racism" is most often raised by people who yearn for the lily white 1950s. I can't take someone seriously when they go on and on about racism toward white people.

I heard some clown at the airport the other day railing about how racist black people are and his example was he got teased playing pick up basketball.

 

[nomar]

I find B Vogel to be particularly stupid. But it was out there that Sterling once said "black people smell and attract vermin". I don't know how you get more explicit or ridiculous?

The notion that Doc and the players are victims in all of this is laughable. The real victims were the people he didn't rent property to because he thought they smelled and attracted vermin.

It was out there but it wasn't out there, obviously. Everybody is wondering how he got away with saying awful stuff without being truly called on it. Sometimes it takes saying something racist about someone famous, like Magic Johnson, to get people's attention.

You want to argue semantics about what constitutes a victim, fine. Nobody died. But black people, including the Clippers players, were justifiably angered by Sterling's comments.

 

[superjohn]

I find this whole concern about "racism by blacks toward whites" and "reverse racism" is most often raised by people who yearn for the lily white 1950s. I can't take someone seriously when they go on and on about racism toward white people.

I heard some clown at the airport the other day railing about how racist black people are and his example was he got teased playing pick up basketball.

As a white guy I cringe every time I hear other white guys cry racism. It's the same thing every time a Donald Sterling situation happens, I constantly hear white people whining about how unfair it is that they can't be racist but Al Sharpton can. I used to try and convince them of how ridiculous this way of thinking is but now I just nod my head and say the world is a very cruel place for us white guys.

 

[joober jones]

He's already had a 2nd chance, 3rd chance, 4th chance etc. He's about as sorry for being a racist as we are for being UConn fans.

 

[David 76]

Some folks here don't really get how racism and bigotry are different. Yes there are black people who are biased/ don't trust white people. that continues to be a survival skill.
But if little kid Michael Jordan doesn't like white kids, it doesn't affect what you earn, where you live, the type of public education you receive. I know some of you think this is all over and don't want to hear it anymore. But it is not over. People still get killed for their color, go to jail for their color, and don't get jobs because of their color. So, I believe you know blacks that hate whites and that is too bad. But it is NOT the same thing.

I voted to give Nelson a second chance. Not as the owner of the Clippers, but as a human we all need a lot of chances. People, even this guy, are not disposable.

 

[David 76]

I have learned to be wary of people who say "I am not a racist"

 

[Adios]

Only matters on what Lebron thinks.

"As players, we want what's right and we don't feel like no one in his family should be able to own the team," James said.....

He doesn't feel like no one in his family should be able to own the team.

 

[mauconnfan]

This is wrong.

Donald Sterling is the owner of a public facing franchise in a private organization that has a constitution with stipulations for what can cause an owner to be forced to sell.

He clearly broke those stipulations. It tarnishes the image of the league for one of the owners of a 75% black league to tell his girlfriend that he doesn't want blacks at his game. Game over. It's not a philosophical question.

If he's too old and senile to not put his dumb foot in his stupid mouth, then pass ownership control to someone else and move on.

Stop making excuses for the guy.

This has nothing to do with your uncle, or whether or not black people are racist, too. Because they don't own a professional sports franchise. You see the difference, there, right?

Al Sharpton isn't an owner but he is a highly pubicized figure is he not? He's had a zillion 2nd chances…...

 

[aceboon]

when all else fails, you can always count on someone to shoehorn Al Sharpton into the convo, its the automatic crutch when whites play the "Blame A Negro" game. How Al Sharpton factors into a debate over a documented racist losing his NBA team is beyond me, but you can always count on some dopes to try to make it fit, mauconnfan is always up to the challenge.

 

[Fishy]

I don't know how Al Sharpton figures in, but he shouldn't be on any network's payroll - he's a pox.

Sterling is entitled to earn a second chance, but that second chance doesn't involve owning an NBA team. He's free to put his efforts, energy and fortune into trying to make amends for his misdeeds and then let the court of public opinion judge him. But again, his fitness for owning an NBA team is a ship that has sailed.

And then, tonight, Sterling went on CNN and set fire to that ship. I think this is an old dog that's incapable of new tricks.

 

[noeynox]

I find B Vogel to be particularly stupid. But it was out there that Sterling once said "black people smell and attract vermin". I don't know how you get more explicit or ridiculous?

The notion that Doc and the players are victims in all of this is laughable. The real victims were the people he didn't rent property to because he thought they smelled and attracted vermin.

This may have been out there, but I'm a casual NBA fan and had never heard of any of Sterling's past comments. I recently did hear and read some of the Bomani Jones stuff from the past, but the mainstream media certainly didn't report on this. Now if your saying that everybody in the NBA knew what Sterling was about, that is a different story, and I dont know if Doc should have known about. I doubt any of the current players knew much if anything at all about it. Mostly cause they're young.

 

[UconnU]

Did anybody watch the interview he did with Anderson cooper??? He just rambled on on and saying a bunch of nonse..at one point he says magic johnson has done nothing but catch aids, then takes shots at the black community saying they dont help their own. He dug himself an even deeper hole. Clearly very senile.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

And then, tonight, Sterling went on CNN and set fire to that ship.

Set fire to it, shot a cannonball through the hull, sunk it, dug it up and shot it into space. He sounded out of his mind.

 

[Fishy]

It was an outstanding interview - I like how a guy who essentially said he pays for sex wants to lecture Magic Johnson for having too much sex.

And then the guy with a history of announcing charitable causes that he never actually follows through with also lectures Magic about his charitable failings. The Magic Johnson Foundation is by no means a huge outfit, but it's not chump change either. (I'm no math genius, but I'm guessing four stars out of a possible four stars is a good thing.)