((HT: CNN/youtube))
A terribly, horrificly-executed, oh-my-GAWD-why-in-the-blue-hell did you do this-and WHO TOLD YOU TO TALK TO CNN- kind of an interview that rambled and proved that the Clippers owner has no business being an owner of anything ever again...
Trying to garner sympathy early, the old man told stories about grandchildren...
This wasn't a bad gambit...
But then denigrating Magic Johnson in a deeply disturbing manner...
The transcript from Deadspin:
Here is a man.. he acts so holy. He made love to every girl in every girl in America in every city and he had AIDS. When he had those AIDS, I went to my synagogue and I prayed for him.
What has Magic Johnson done? He's got AIDS. Did he do any business? Did he help anybody in south L.A.? I think he should be ashamed of himself. What does he do for the black people? I'm telling you he does nothing. It's all talk.
I spent millions on giving away and helping minorities. Does he do that? That's one problem I have. Jews, when they get successful, they will help their people.
And some of the African-Americans, maybe I'll get in trouble again. They don't want to help anybody. What has Magic Johnson really done for Children's Hospital which kids are lying in the hallways. They are sick. They need a bed. What has he done for any hospital? What has he done for any group?
Seriously... that's where Sterling went...
"Those AIDS"
Here is a gentleman who just screams "white guy entitlement" and is out of touch with the rest of us.
He firmly believes his players love him- which they don't...
He is quite enamored with his own successes which lend themselves to, Sterling thinks, the adoration and respect of others.
He bought the team for a mere pittance, wanted nothing to do with San Diego, was involved in a lawsuit with the NBA over the relocation of the franchise- which he was going to do regardless of what anyone thought- even the fellow members of his trade association.
He failed to invest in the franchise early- causing them to be a laughing stock in the league. And when he finally did, shocking no one except maybe Sterling, the team started having on-the-court success. Which is where they are now...
He treated employees with a profound lack of respect (see Elgin Baylor) and thinks of himself as bullet-proof in the consequences.
He thinks V. Stiviano set him up- which may be the only part of truth in this whole proceeding- thinking that either the Sterlings were going to divorce and her gravy train was going to end or she was going to be kicked to the curb outright- and if he wasn't aware of the recording in a two-person state... the person who leaked the recording may be guilty of a crime.
And, regardless of what anyone thinks, the sides in the Sterling marriage are putting up their battle lines for what surely will be some tremendous legal drama over the next however-long-this-will-take. Shelly Sterling and her attorney will almost certainly chase after Donald Sterling's competency as an owner and may even maintain that the statements he has been making publicly are that of someone in the throes of a disease. Donald Sterling will be unfit to own and has been unfit to own for however long the disease has been effecting his brain.
Donald Sterling will battle the competency angle and say he wants a divorce from his wife of 60 years. The divorce proceeding will be running in tandem with the Shelly Sterling lawsuit. And it will all be a test.
It will be a test for the NBA next season for the players who won't play for a Sterling but will have Dick Parsons as a CEO who the Sterlings and their representatives may or may not even want to answer to in questions involving authority and day-to-day operation of the franchise.
Who will want to stay? Who will want to play? And will anyone even be around for the franchise come the beginning of training camp in the 2014-15 season...???
We're not even close to being done...
2245 UPDATE: Commissioner Adam Silver responded and it's what you would expect
"I just read a transcript of Donald Sterling's interview with Anderson Cooper and while Magic Johnson doesn't need me to, I feel compelled on behalf of the NBA family to apologize to him that he continues to be dragged into this situation and be degraded by such a malicious and personal attack. The NBA Board of Governors is continuing with its process to remove Mr. Sterling as expeditiously as possible."
