With just eight weeks remaining before the opening of NBA training camps, L.A. Clippers All-Star guard Chris Paul is deeming the possibility that disgraced owner Donald Sterling could still be part of the organization as “unacceptable.”
First-year NBA Commissioner Adam Silver imposed a lifetime ban on the league’s longest tenured owner last April after an ex-girlfriend publicly released a video of him admonishing her “not to bring black people to my games,” including L.A. legend Magic Johnson.
According to ESPN, Paul admits he has also talked to Clippers coach Doc Rivers about the possibility of both them sitting out if in fact Sterling remains in power. In recent days, reports also surfaced that Rivers has repeatedly told interim team CEO Dick Parsons he doesn’t believe he wants to be with the team if Sterling remains in the mix.
“That’s something me and Doc are both talking about,” said Paul. “Something has to happen, and something needs to happen soon — sooner rather than later.”
Parsons made his comments while testifying in state court during a probate court hearing this week initiated by Sterling against his estranged wife, Shelly, where he is seeking to have her record-setting $2 billion sale of the team to tech guru Steve Ballmer nullified.
“We’re all going to talk about it,” Paul added of everyone wanting to weigh their options if Donald Sterling somehow manages to persevere. “We’re all definitely going to talk about it. Doc, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan. It’s unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, closing arguments in Sterling vs. Sterling are set to commence on Monday, with Donald Sterling having vowed to fight “as long as he lives” to retain the team his family has owned for more than three decades.
Silver and league officials have indicated they plan to resume termination proceedings against Sterling if the sale to Ballmer is not completely closed by Sept. 15.
