The Los Angeles Clippers silently protested the racist remarks of owner Donald Sterling before their playoff game on Sunday.
Before warm-ups, the players walked to the center of the court and took off their warm-up jerseys. They then warmed up in inside-out red shooting shirts, according to ESPN Los Angeles.
The players also wore black arm of wrist bands and black socks during the game.
Clippers player Chris Paul, who has already spoken out against Sterling’s comments, told ESPN that the team decided how to approach the owner’s remarks together.
“[We] talked as a team about everything,” he said. “Tried to keep internal, everything we decided to do has been together as a team.”
Clippers coach Doc Rivers told ESPN that he had yet to speak with Sterling
“I’ve not talked to Donald yet,” Rivers said. “Really no need right now, at least for me.”
Clippers owner Donald Sterling told his girlfriend not to bring black people to his games, according to audio published by TMZ on Friday. He blamed his request on “culture” in extended audio obtained by Deadspin.
The Clippers issued a statement about the recording on Saturday saying, “”Mr. Sterling is emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with, nor does it reflect his views, beliefs or feelings.”
The National Basketball Association is investigating the recording, and spokesman Mike Bass called Sterling’s comments “disturbing and offensive.”
Watch a video of the protest via ESPN Los Angeles:
Good for them. The symbolic gesture is nevertheless poignant and powerful in their rebuke of Sterling’s asshattery.
I bet there was a whole lot of this going on:
https://twitter.com/JeremySF/status/460499428692873216/photo/1
Good stuff!
Wow! David Stern would have had a meltdown, and the new commish must be suffering stroke-like symptoms. That is OUTSTANDING!
And FYI The key there is the coaches’ statement. He basically said, “I gave my bosses’ statement before the game, saying my boss deserves due process. These young men just made MY statement!”
This ignorant man fully deserves this.
Heartbreaking is all I can say.