Well, everyone is talking about it today, so let’s join the fray. Donald Sterling, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, made several racist remarks to his girlfriend over the weekend. She recorded their conversation and shared it with TMZ. On Sunday, TMZ released this recording. In the following 48 hours, almost the entire world united to condemn Sterling’s comments and views. This tidal wave culminated in a press conference today when NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, banned Sterling for life (see press conference below).
Author’s Perspective #1 – Strong Leadership: It’s refreshing to see a leader step up to the microphone and deliver a harsh sentence and send a strong message. The message is that there is no room for a racist in a league that is played predominantly by minorities. This message tells people that regardless of how rich and powerful you are, you are still held accountable for your words and actions. Commissioner Sterling didn’t worry about the limits of his power or the probable legal battle that is sure to follow. Instead, the ban showed the players that he was not going to tolerate a racist owner in the league. Good for him.
Author’s Perspective #2 – Boycott? To be honest, I didn’t anticipate Commissioner Silver to act so boldly. I anticipated a fine and a suspension – tough words, but little action. I was expecting the real protests to come from the players. I was wishing with all my heart that the LA Clippers would have put their hands over their hearts during the national anthem and then silently walked off the court tonight before the start of game 5. I wanted them to make the statement that they would not play for an owner who looks down on them. I wanted them to sacrifice their quest for the NBA championship for a principle that is much greater than winning and sport.
My guess is that if the players would have done that, they would have been remembered forever. You might not have ever remembered the 2014 NBA championship, but you would have always remembered that scene. That video clip would have been played endlessly for the next century. They would have inspired America and they would have sent a message louder than any commissioner could have sent. But, alas, it was not necessary, thanks to the actions of Commissioner Silver.
Author’s Perspective #3 – Extra-Marital Affairs? Did anyone notice that married man, Donald Sterling, was turned in by his girlfriend? Why hasn’t anyone commented on this? Does this matter to anyone at all? Doesn’t this speak volumes about his character too? It’s clearly not okay to be a racist, but we give him a pass on being a philanderer?
Your Turn: Please place your comments below, (2) like and share our Facebook page (character development & leadership) or (3) tweet to @CDandLeadership using #leadership)
(1) What did you think of Donald Sterling’s racist remarks? Did you think Commissioner Sterling was justified in banning him for life from the NBA? What would you have done as commissioner?
(2) Do you think the players would have boycotted the game? If you were in that position, could you have put principle ahead of winning?
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1. I thought it was terrible. He deserved to be banned in my opinion. I would have done the same thing.
2. Yes. I would have boycotted if I was them.
1. I do not agree with what was said and that it is very disrespectful and I do think Adam Silver did the right thing of banning him and I would have done the same thing.
2. I do think that the team would boycott the game because most of them are a minority and they should not want that in the NBA and I would have done the same thing
His racist remarks weren’t needed. You can handle a situation a lot different without being racist. His idea to ban him is good. I would’ve asked why he was doing it and if he gave me a dumb answer I would’ve don’t the same. But if he had sympathy for it I would’ve been less hard.
No they wouldn’t.
1. I don’t think that it was appropriate for the owner of the clippers to be using racist remarks on or off the recording.
2. I don’t think that the players should boycott the game unless it was something referring to their race.
Racism is not Okay. People should know that it’s wrong to treat others different cause they look different from you
His racist comments were wrong and should have been punished. He should have lost his job, however, the $2.5 million was very harsh, everyone makes mistakes, and even though he is wealthy, that is a huge price to pay. Overall I think he got what he deserved.
(1) What did you think of Donald Sterling’s racist remarks? Did you think Commissioner Sterling was justified in banning him for life from the NBA? What would you have done as commissioner?
What I think of Donald Sterling racist remarks is that I think they weren´t necessary. I 100% agree with him being banned from the NBA for life. If I were a commissioner I would have done the exact same name.
(2) Do you think the players would have boycotted the game? If you were in that position, could you have put principle ahead of winning?
Yes, I think that they would have boycotted the game.
I feel like him being racist was meant to be. He could have just kept it to his self and handled the situation differently. I personally would have told him was that really necessary and that he messed up his whole job all over nothing. Yes, I do think the boys would have boycotted the game because the guy was talking about his team and making racist comments towards his team when you’re supposed to work together and get things done together. No, I don’t think they would have put the principle ahead of winning they probably felt bad about what he was saying about them.
I think that Commissioner Silver did the right thing by publicly condemning Sterling as what Sterling had commented had been offensive. Sterling was someone that holds a leadership position that can influence others so he should be able to act the part. As a commissioner, I would have done the same as Silver.
The players could have boycotted the game as their coach’s comments were offensive to everyone, no matter what race they are.
think that Commissioner Silver did the right thing by publicly condemning Sterling as what Sterling had commented had been offensive. Sterling was someone that holds a leadership position that can influence others so he should be able to act the part. As a commissioner, I would have done the same as Silver.
The players could have boycotted the game as their coach’s comments were offensive to everyone, no matter what race they are.
1. Psychological Strategies, aren’t usually used due to other coaches thinking more physically than mentally.
2. It’s the fact that they do study, they just don’t apply it, their mindsets for football, like a coaches is more physical than mental, they fail to realize that the more you learn on class the “stronger” you get.
3. Patience goes a long way.
What I think of Donald Sterling’s racist remarks is that I think they weren´t necessary. I 100% agree with him being banned from the NBA for life. If I were a commissioner I would have done the exact same name.
think that Commissioner Silver did the right thing by publicly condemning Sterling as what Sterling had commented had been offensive. Sterling was someone that holds a leadership position that can influence others so he should be able to act the part. As a commissioner, I would have done the same as Silver.
The players could have boycotted the game as their coach’s comments were offensive to everyone, no matter what race they are.
His racist comments weren’t needed. You can handle things a lot differently without being racist. His idea to ban him is good. I would’ve asked why he was doing it and if he gave me a dumb answer I would’ve don’t the same. But if he had sympathy for it I would’ve been less hard, and I don’t think they would’ve boycotted.
This was a very interesting thing to take in the things read here it is kinda weird to process and it seems very awkward
I dont think he should have been that racist because that’s not polite
yes
I think that this man shows a good presentation of leader ship. he shows that no matter the circumstances he got up there and talk about what he is passionate about
I believe that Adam Sliver did the right by banning him because of the disrespectful things that he said about the NBA and him.
1. I thought it was really bad and i would’ve done the same thinks he definitely deserves to be banned
2. yes i would’ve done the same thing
1. I thought it was very bad and he definitely deserved that.
2. I would have done the same exact thing.
i thought it was bad and he deffinly got what he deserved
and no I would want to win show show how dumb that was to do that
1. It’s horrible that he made those remarks, but it’s a relief that Commissioner Sterling stepped up as a leader and banned him. It’s good to know people who want tolerate that kind of behavior have authority.
2. Yes, I would’ve been glad if the players would’ve walked off court, and if fans would’ve boycotted too. Putting principle before winning is very important.
1.What he did and said was awful and it would be bad if they continued to let him play because of his character as an NBA player tbh. I would have done the same thing.
2.I think the players should have boycotted the game because of their coaches racist comments because racism is never okay especially in something like sports.
I don’t think the he should of been resist because he would of just got banned
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