Commissioner Silver thank you for protecting our beautiful and powerful league!! Great leader!! #BiggerThanBasketball #StriveForGreatness
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 29, 2014
The NBA acted swiftly and decisively in dealing with Donald Sterling. Commissioner Adam Silver announced that Sterling is banned for life and would be pressured to sell the L.A. Clippers after racist audio of him speaking with a former girlfriend surfaced.
It was great news for current and former players who were hoping for a quick resolution to the problem. Many of them headed to Twitter to share their feelings.
"Commissioner Silver showed great leadership in banning LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life,: Magic Johnson wrote. "Former and current NBA players are very happy and satisfied with Commissioner Silver's ruling. Now the Clippers players and fans can concentrate on the game tonight against the Warriors with Commissioner Silver's decision. Current and former NBA players now know that in Commissioner Adam Silver we have a great leader leading our league. Now let's hope that the other 29 owners do the right thing. The people who I'm happiest for are Coach Doc Rivers, the Clippers players and fans. I wish I was in LA, I would be at the Clipper game tonight!"
Other shared similar sentiments.
Adam silver has shown great leadership Nba is not a safe haven for racism or ignorance find a new home! #nba #support #thebestleague
— Kenny Smith (@TheJetOnTNT) April 29, 2014
Dwight Howard on Sterling "We live in United States. We should be united." Then he walked away and broke into song w/nat'l anthem. Awesome!
— Marty Snider (@heymartysnider) April 29, 2014
Commissioner Silver....STRONG...way to take charge and protect our great league.
— THREE (@DwyaneWade) April 29, 2014
Great job Adam Silver! #Salute
— Jalen Rose (@JalenRose) April 29, 2014
Commissioner Silver, FANTASTIC!!! New Sheriff lays down the law, kudos... Honest n precise.. #BANNEDForLife
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) April 29, 2014
Strong leadership from Commissioner Silver! He has my full support.
— David Robinson (@DavidtheAdmiral) April 29, 2014
Adam Silver did that #NBA
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas2) April 29, 2014
Clippers coach Doc Rivers released a statement via NBA.com
“I would like to reiterate how disappointed I am in the comments attributed to [Donald Sterling] and I can’t even begin to tell you how upset I am and our players are. Today, I had a meeting with the members of our organization. When you are around all these people, you realize they are just as upset and embarrassed by the situation and it does not reflect who they really are. That was what I got from all of them. They are now a part of this and they are upset at this. But, they are all going to hang in there and so are we - I can tell you that as a group and as a team. From our fans’ standpoint, I want to say that they have been amazing, I can tell you that. We need unbelievable support right now from other people and I’m hoping we get that. My hope is that whatever the fans do, it is as one. I think that is what we all should do.
“We want to make the right decisions here. We’re doing our very best to try and do that. We know that fans are in a dilemma as well. We want them to cheer for their players and their team. It will always be their players and their team. From the fans that I have heard from, that’s how they feel. ‘This is my team. These are my players that I’m cheering for and that’s not going to change.’ I hope STAPLES Center is packed and people are cheering for the players. The players are now in the middle of this, and they have to deal with it.
“We are all trying to figure out everything as it goes and just do our best and we hope that it is the right answer. I’m still going to do my best and do what I think is best for the team and for everybody in this case. It is very difficult because there are so many emotions in this. This is a very emotional subject, this is personal.
“My belief is that the longer we keep winning, the more we talk about this. I believe that is good. If we want to make a statement - I believe that is how we have to do it. I think that is the right way to do it, but that doesn’t mean we still don’t wrestle with it every day and every moment. That is the difficult part.
“We are all doing our best here. Our players are doing their best. There are a lot of people involved in this. From one man’s comments, a lot of people have been affected and the conversations that we’re all having do need to be had.”
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