Adam Silver’s legacy was set with some assistance from LeBron James ousting Donald Sterling
The Los Angeles Clippers right now are probably the Lakers chief competition for the NBA title (Bucks? Gotta see Giannis hit that jumper in crunch time!) later on this summer. But remember when the Clippers was the absolute laughingstock of the NBA?
Well, all of the NBA fans definitely remember the awful words of Donald Sterling said to his mistress that included Magic Johnson that reeked of racism. When it was leaked, most would be shocked that it almost halted the playoff schedule at the time.
Back then, fans didn’t know at the time was how bad things were going on behind the scenes. It was years later on ESPN’s 30 for 30 podcast put together by Ramona Shelburne that the facts came out. But who led the charge for the NBA players?
LeBron James.
Listen to ESPNLA 710 at 3:30pm to hear @ramonashelburne's "The Sterling Affairs" @30for30 podcast in its entirety 📻 pic.twitter.com/p623QLEGVo
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) August 30, 2019
This is one of the numerous examples of LeBron’s voice and influence. Back then, NBA players did not speak out as strongly on issues such as racism. After the audio was leaked LeBron James spoke out on camera that Sterling’s behavior was not welcome while playing with the Miami Heat.
There were rumors that the Clippers possibly would boycott the next playoff game. Some Clippers players (Matt Barnes being one of them!) did not want to play. The Clippers eventually did play against the Golden State Warriors. ESPN’s Marc J. Spears spoke out on the opportunity missed on The Jump (3:00 mark) calling the response weak.
Eventually, Donald Sterling was banned for life from the NBA a few days later. But it’s interesting that a huge opportunity for NBA players to make an impact of this magnitude was missed.
Another example of this situation coming full circle of George Floyd’s death brought the opportunity of bringing out those “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirts. Remember them?