The Los Angeles Clippers’ star point guard, Chris Paul, issued a statement Saturday reacting to reports of racist comments made by Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Paul, who is also the president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), called the comments a “very serious issue which we will address aggressively.”
“On behalf of the National Basketball Players Association, this is a very serious issue which we will address aggressively,” Paul said in a statement issued through the players’ association. “We have asked Mayor Kevin Johnson to expand his responsibilities with the NBPA, to determine our response and our next steps. As players, we owe it to our teams and our fans to keep our focus on our game, the playoffs, and a drive to the Finals.”
Johnson, the former NBA All-Star and current mayor of Sacramento, Calif., said in his own statement that he would be leading the players’ association in “addressing the implications of this serious matter.” Johnson just recently agreed to help lead the association’s search for a new executive director.
“The reported comments made by Clippers owner Donald Sterling are reprehensible and unacceptable,” Johnson said in his statement. “The National Basketball Players Association must and will play a very active role in determining how this issue is addressed. There needs to be an immediate investigation and if the reports are true, there needs to be strong and swift action taken. I have spoken with NBPA President Chris Paul and will be leading the NBPA in addressing the implications of this serious matter. I will be formally reaching out to the NBA today to determine our next steps. While I originally came on to lead the Executive Director search, this issue requires immediate attention from the Players Association. I will be keeping Chris Paul, the Executive Committee, and all player representatives informed of every step.”
