It's done....
Ok, at least the sale, in the minds of the NBA, Shelley Sterling and Steve Ballmer is done. The league announced that Shelley Sterling and the Sterling trust has closed the sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft magnate Steve Ballmer.
Ballmer already had the O.K of the league to purchase the team, but the sale was contingent on a written order by a California court confirming Shelley had the power to complete the sale.
That happened right about noon eastern time.
Oh, did we mention that Ballmer is paying $2 billion for the team?
Yes, $2 billion.....
We should also note that now former owner and crazy guy Donald Sterling is expected to appeal the judges ruling and the sale, but nobody expects that to derail the proceedings at this point.
Meanwhile, the NBA, according to the Los Angeles Times has filed a countersuit vs. Mr. Sterling claiming he owes them for "devastating and incalculable" harm to the league". We aren't sure what that means, but Donald Sterling already has filed suit against them, so we're guessing this is the part where lawyers make a lot of money.
For the Clippers, it means a chance to move forward and an opportunity to put the mess in the rear view mirror. Coach Doc Rivers and several players had mumbled privately they were considering not playing or boycotting should the sale not go through.
Instead, they are celebrating their good fortune. They get a rich owner, they get...at least eventually some stability. And they get a chance to get ready for yet another NBA season right on the horizon....
KCBS gives us the early TV story:
Showing posts with label Doc Rivers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Doc Rivers. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Friday, July 25, 2014
Chris Paul Thinks Clips Boycott Is Still An Idea (Reax)
((HT: ESPN.com/Goodman))
It's still on the table if the Los Angeles Clippers have Donald Sterling as owner when the new season rolls around...
When asked in Las Vegas during an AAU competition if Chris Paul and his teammates would still think about not playing, the answer seemed pretty solid to Goodman:
"That's something me and Doc are both talking about," Paul said Thursday after coaching his AAU program, CP3. "Something has to happen, and something needs to happen soon -- sooner rather than later."
"We're all going to talk about it," Paul said. "We're all definitely going to talk about it. Doc, Blake [Griffin], DJ [DeAndre Jordan]. It's unacceptable."
Frankly, the HQ thinks they should but the notion probably won't fly long term.
Reaction was understandable:
Dana, Tiki, and Brandon
((HT: CBS Sports Radio/CBSSN))
First Take Skip
((HT: ESPN))
First Take SAS
((HT: ESPN))
Closing arguments in the first Sterling v. Sterling lawsuit start Monday.
It's still on the table if the Los Angeles Clippers have Donald Sterling as owner when the new season rolls around...
When asked in Las Vegas during an AAU competition if Chris Paul and his teammates would still think about not playing, the answer seemed pretty solid to Goodman:
"That's something me and Doc are both talking about," Paul said Thursday after coaching his AAU program, CP3. "Something has to happen, and something needs to happen soon -- sooner rather than later."
"We're all going to talk about it," Paul said. "We're all definitely going to talk about it. Doc, Blake [Griffin], DJ [DeAndre Jordan]. It's unacceptable."
Frankly, the HQ thinks they should but the notion probably won't fly long term.
Reaction was understandable:
Dana, Tiki, and Brandon
((HT: CBS Sports Radio/CBSSN))
First Take Skip
((HT: ESPN))
First Take SAS
((HT: ESPN))
Closing arguments in the first Sterling v. Sterling lawsuit start Monday.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Donald Sterling Sues Wife And NBA Again
((HT: ESPN))
Donald Sterling is a very busy man in the middle of his probate case going on in Los Angeles.
He filed another concurrent suit in Superior Court seeking damages from the NBA, commissioner Adam Silver, his wife Shelly Sterling, and the Clippers alleging they all violated corporate law in trying to sell the team.
Sterling argues he is the sole owner and shareholder of the parent organization: LAC Basketball Club- that manages and runs the team. His interest in LACBC was in the Family Trust, but he maintains that when he revoked the trust (the crux of the current arguments in probate court), everything went back to his own personal interest and management.
And, therefore, he's the guy in charge of everything- not his wife or anyone else.
Max Bretos checks in with Ramona Shelburne about the latest adventures
And then interim CEO Richard Parsons, as part of his testimony, revealed and reinforced that if Donald Sterling was to remain owner that coach and GM Doc Rivers was checking out.
Bretos and Shelburne again
Clippers fans who have followed the franchises ups and downs for a long time feel this is par for the course and should not be surprised that the final salvo Donald Sterling is interested in firing at any of his detractors is going to just have the franchise in a slow burn of failure- mandated by behavior in the courts of Los Angeles.
If Donald Sterling is going down, he is going to take it all with him...
To hell with all of you...
Donald Sterling is a very busy man in the middle of his probate case going on in Los Angeles.
He filed another concurrent suit in Superior Court seeking damages from the NBA, commissioner Adam Silver, his wife Shelly Sterling, and the Clippers alleging they all violated corporate law in trying to sell the team.
Sterling argues he is the sole owner and shareholder of the parent organization: LAC Basketball Club- that manages and runs the team. His interest in LACBC was in the Family Trust, but he maintains that when he revoked the trust (the crux of the current arguments in probate court), everything went back to his own personal interest and management.
And, therefore, he's the guy in charge of everything- not his wife or anyone else.
Max Bretos checks in with Ramona Shelburne about the latest adventures
And then interim CEO Richard Parsons, as part of his testimony, revealed and reinforced that if Donald Sterling was to remain owner that coach and GM Doc Rivers was checking out.
Bretos and Shelburne again
Clippers fans who have followed the franchises ups and downs for a long time feel this is par for the course and should not be surprised that the final salvo Donald Sterling is interested in firing at any of his detractors is going to just have the franchise in a slow burn of failure- mandated by behavior in the courts of Los Angeles.
If Donald Sterling is going down, he is going to take it all with him...
To hell with all of you...
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
ICYMI: Thunder Down Clips in Crazy Finish
Craziness we tell you, pure craziness.
The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a 7-point LA Clipper lead with 50 seconds left in Game 5 of their Best of 7 series, with a 105-104 win.
The win was not without some controversy and a handful of really questionable decisions by the Clippers down the stretch.
After a missed layup with just over 11 seconds to go, a scramble for the loose ball ensued. In the scrum, the ball went out of bounds and to the Clippers it appeared to go off OKC's Reggie Jackson. But the refs ruled Thunder ball.
The replay's said the referee's, were inconclusive, so the call on the floor stood. The Thunder then inbounded the ball and the Clips fouled Russell Westbrook who calmly drained 2 free throws.
Game over.
The Thunder lead the series now 3-2 with the chance to close things out in Los Angeles.
And yes, this has been a great series to watch.
Your highlights--from NBA.com:
Clippers coach Doc Rivers was--shall we say...less than thrilled about the late call that went against his team. And voiced his disappointment
The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a 7-point LA Clipper lead with 50 seconds left in Game 5 of their Best of 7 series, with a 105-104 win.
The win was not without some controversy and a handful of really questionable decisions by the Clippers down the stretch.
After a missed layup with just over 11 seconds to go, a scramble for the loose ball ensued. In the scrum, the ball went out of bounds and to the Clippers it appeared to go off OKC's Reggie Jackson. But the refs ruled Thunder ball.
The replay's said the referee's, were inconclusive, so the call on the floor stood. The Thunder then inbounded the ball and the Clips fouled Russell Westbrook who calmly drained 2 free throws.
Game over.
The Thunder lead the series now 3-2 with the chance to close things out in Los Angeles.
And yes, this has been a great series to watch.
Your highlights--from NBA.com:
Clippers coach Doc Rivers was--shall we say...less than thrilled about the late call that went against his team. And voiced his disappointment
Friday, May 9, 2014
New Sterling Recording: I'm Not A Racist
((HT: KABC-TV))
Which, frankly, is what people say when they clearly don't realize the depth of their positions and how what you say has an effect on other people.
Just listen to the context of this conversation given to radaronline.com and see what you think now...
Doc Rivers admitted at morning practice that, if there is still a Sterling in charge of the Clippers, it would be hard for players and coaches to hang around:
"I think it will be a very hard situation, I'll say that much. I think it will be very difficult. I guarantee you every person wouldn't be on board with that. Whether I would or not, I'm not going to say."
And, why does the HQ feel like we're almost back to Square One in all of this...???
Which, frankly, is what people say when they clearly don't realize the depth of their positions and how what you say has an effect on other people.
Just listen to the context of this conversation given to radaronline.com and see what you think now...
Doc Rivers admitted at morning practice that, if there is still a Sterling in charge of the Clippers, it would be hard for players and coaches to hang around:
"I think it will be a very hard situation, I'll say that much. I think it will be very difficult. I guarantee you every person wouldn't be on board with that. Whether I would or not, I'm not going to say."
And, why does the HQ feel like we're almost back to Square One in all of this...???
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Sterling's Next Steps: Banned For Life, Big Fine, No Sale Yet...But Silver Thinks He Can Get The Votes
((HT: TMZ Sports))
According to Harvey Levin, the Clippers owner is indefinitely suspended from his activities as owner of the NBA franchise. He is not being forced to sell the team at present and the fine that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has put forth is $2.5-million. For a man, in Sterling, that is worth almost $2-billion, a $5-million fine is like handing over a few hundred bucks...
Which the HQ feels he may have in between the cushions of the first couch he finds...
The Commish also had a forensic expert review the tapes that included a voice that was confirmed to be Sterling's. Silver offered a follow-up discussion for Sterling, but he backed out.
TMZ also says that Sterling's girlfriend, V. Stiviano, had Sterling's permission to record their conversation.
The best description that has been given to the Sterling situation and its multiple levels was given by Bomani Jones, who EIGHT YEARS AGO, exposed the Clippers owner for who he is. He pipe-bombed him yesterday on the "Dan LeBatatard Show" on ESPN Radio
Current head coach Doc Rivers has said that he will not return next season if Sterling is still around.
The HQ doesn't quite know how an indefinite suspension will play with "still being around."
Silver addressed the large group of assembled media in New York City Tuesday afternoon. Sterling had not been told of his fate before the press conference in midtown Manhattan. The investigation is complete, in Silver's terms, and the voice on the tapes is Sterling's.
Silver called the words on the tape "deeply offensive and harmful" and the fact that they came from an owner "heightened the damage." He apologized on behalf of the league and banned Sterling.
Sterling is barred from Board of Governors meetings and fined $2.5-million- the maximum amount allowed by the NBA Constitution.
Silver will urge the BoG to force a sale of the team... 22 of 30 owners would have to vote for such a transfer.
From the NBA their own self:
As part of the lifetime ban, Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. He will also be barred from attending NBA Board of Governors meetings and participating in any other league activity.
Commissioner Silver also announced that he will urge the Board of Governors to exercise its authority to force a sale of the team.
The discipline issued today is based on the Commissioner’s conclusion that Mr. Sterling violated league rules through his expressions of offensive and hurtful views, the impact of which has been widely felt throughout the league.
According to Harvey Levin, the Clippers owner is indefinitely suspended from his activities as owner of the NBA franchise. He is not being forced to sell the team at present and the fine that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has put forth is $2.5-million. For a man, in Sterling, that is worth almost $2-billion, a $5-million fine is like handing over a few hundred bucks...
Which the HQ feels he may have in between the cushions of the first couch he finds...
The Commish also had a forensic expert review the tapes that included a voice that was confirmed to be Sterling's. Silver offered a follow-up discussion for Sterling, but he backed out.
TMZ also says that Sterling's girlfriend, V. Stiviano, had Sterling's permission to record their conversation.
The best description that has been given to the Sterling situation and its multiple levels was given by Bomani Jones, who EIGHT YEARS AGO, exposed the Clippers owner for who he is. He pipe-bombed him yesterday on the "Dan LeBatatard Show" on ESPN Radio
Current head coach Doc Rivers has said that he will not return next season if Sterling is still around.
The HQ doesn't quite know how an indefinite suspension will play with "still being around."
Silver addressed the large group of assembled media in New York City Tuesday afternoon. Sterling had not been told of his fate before the press conference in midtown Manhattan. The investigation is complete, in Silver's terms, and the voice on the tapes is Sterling's.
Silver called the words on the tape "deeply offensive and harmful" and the fact that they came from an owner "heightened the damage." He apologized on behalf of the league and banned Sterling.
Sterling is barred from Board of Governors meetings and fined $2.5-million- the maximum amount allowed by the NBA Constitution.
Silver will urge the BoG to force a sale of the team... 22 of 30 owners would have to vote for such a transfer.
From the NBA their own self:
As part of the lifetime ban, Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. He will also be barred from attending NBA Board of Governors meetings and participating in any other league activity.
Commissioner Silver also announced that he will urge the Board of Governors to exercise its authority to force a sale of the team.
The discipline issued today is based on the Commissioner’s conclusion that Mr. Sterling violated league rules through his expressions of offensive and hurtful views, the impact of which has been widely felt throughout the league.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
DEVELOPING: Now, THERE'S A Protest... Stiviano Denies Leak...
((HT: ESPN))
"It's just us, only us, we're all we got."
The LA Clippers took off their shooting shirts in pre-game warm-ups and dumped them on the floor- revealing shirts inside-out (presumably, to cover up the Clippers script logo)
From BayAreaNewsGroup's Marcus Thompson via Instagram
And we have some news from the girlfriend...
From Rachel Zarrell at BuzzFeed:
“This office understands that the currently released audio tape of approximately 15 minutes is a portion of approximately one (1) hour of overall audio recording of Mr. Donald T. Sterling and Ms. Stiviano, and is in fact legitimate,” said Mac E. Nehoray of the Nehoray Legal Group.
He added, “Ms. Stiviano did not release the tape(s) to any news media.”
Calling the lawsuit involving Stiviano and Sterling’s wife “absurd,” Nehoray said they have no further comments.
The HQ maintains that anyone else close to the girlfriend could have done the same thing...
Just says "she didn't do it..."
The players, in game have gone to black recognition...
According to the LA Times Bill Plaschke and his Twitter:
Clippers wearing black bands on their left wrist...Chris Paul's sleeves are black...all players's socks are black...
Sterling's nightmare, indeed...
Magic Johnson addressed the situation this afternoon on ESPN
"It's just us, only us, we're all we got."
The LA Clippers took off their shooting shirts in pre-game warm-ups and dumped them on the floor- revealing shirts inside-out (presumably, to cover up the Clippers script logo)
From BayAreaNewsGroup's Marcus Thompson via Instagram
And we have some news from the girlfriend...
From Rachel Zarrell at BuzzFeed:
“This office understands that the currently released audio tape of approximately 15 minutes is a portion of approximately one (1) hour of overall audio recording of Mr. Donald T. Sterling and Ms. Stiviano, and is in fact legitimate,” said Mac E. Nehoray of the Nehoray Legal Group.
He added, “Ms. Stiviano did not release the tape(s) to any news media.”
Calling the lawsuit involving Stiviano and Sterling’s wife “absurd,” Nehoray said they have no further comments.
The HQ maintains that anyone else close to the girlfriend could have done the same thing...
Just says "she didn't do it..."
The players, in game have gone to black recognition...
According to the LA Times Bill Plaschke and his Twitter:
Clippers wearing black bands on their left wrist...Chris Paul's sleeves are black...all players's socks are black...
Sterling's nightmare, indeed...
Magic Johnson addressed the situation this afternoon on ESPN
Saturday PM Sterling Update: No One Is Happy About It...
((HT: KABC-TV))
And let the spin begin...
The opinion is, from the Sterling camp, is that it is all the fault of Stiviano- who is being charged with embezzling almost $2-million- and that the Clippers owner is not the kind of person portrayed on the tape released to TMZ Sports...
Melissa Macbride is in the Satellite Center to read full screens
Doc Rivers, representing the team, was not pleased...
((HT: ESPN))
Chris Paul, the Executive Director of the NBPA, says the matter is going to be handled by the players in a timely fashion...
"On behalf of the National Basketball Players Association, this is a very serious issue which we will address aggressively," it read. "We have asked [Sacramento] 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."
No lie... for this part of irony...
Sterling was to be honored in May with a lifetime achievement award by the NAACP in Los Angeles. The prganization is monitoring the Clippers situation right now as well...
And let the spin begin...
The opinion is, from the Sterling camp, is that it is all the fault of Stiviano- who is being charged with embezzling almost $2-million- and that the Clippers owner is not the kind of person portrayed on the tape released to TMZ Sports...
Melissa Macbride is in the Satellite Center to read full screens
Doc Rivers, representing the team, was not pleased...
((HT: ESPN))
Chris Paul, the Executive Director of the NBPA, says the matter is going to be handled by the players in a timely fashion...
"On behalf of the National Basketball Players Association, this is a very serious issue which we will address aggressively," it read. "We have asked [Sacramento] 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."
No lie... for this part of irony...
Sterling was to be honored in May with a lifetime achievement award by the NAACP in Los Angeles. The prganization is monitoring the Clippers situation right now as well...
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Doc Rivers Return To Boston Goes Well...
((HT: CSNNE))
Doc Rivers admitted that he was a mess for the first 18 minutes of the game where the Clippers and Celtics played back in Boston for the first appearance for Rivers since he took the head coaching job with the Clips.
But the game couldn't have gone any better for him as the Clippers went to Boston and beat the Celtics 96-88...
Afterwards, Rivers was understandably emotional...
"It's harder to come back here," Rivers said postgame. "Playing against them -- it's just two guys that I love in a Brooklyn uniform. Coming back here, that's special for me. I get to walk under a banner that I helped get and see the fans and see a lot of my friends. This day and a half has been a lot of fun, but it's also been very emotional."
There was a 9-minute tribute video that Rivers made a point not to watch before the game to the tune of Dierks Bentley's "Home..."
Doc Rivers admitted that he was a mess for the first 18 minutes of the game where the Clippers and Celtics played back in Boston for the first appearance for Rivers since he took the head coaching job with the Clips.
But the game couldn't have gone any better for him as the Clippers went to Boston and beat the Celtics 96-88...
Afterwards, Rivers was understandably emotional...
"It's harder to come back here," Rivers said postgame. "Playing against them -- it's just two guys that I love in a Brooklyn uniform. Coming back here, that's special for me. I get to walk under a banner that I helped get and see the fans and see a lot of my friends. This day and a half has been a lot of fun, but it's also been very emotional."
There was a 9-minute tribute video that Rivers made a point not to watch before the game to the tune of Dierks Bentley's "Home..."
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Report: Celtics/Clippers Trade for Doc Rivers is on (UPDATED)
((ht: espn.com))
**UPDATED**--Monday afternoon. It appears the league is giving their blessing to the deal. So it appears you will have a Doc on the sideline at Clipper games. Now the question is "Will this keep Chris Paul in the fold?"
ESPN is reporting the on again/off again trade between the Boson Celtics and LA Clippers is apparently about to be consummated.
Details are still being ironed out, but reports this afternoon say the Clips were offering 2 draft picks.
Update---The compensation appears to be a 2015 1st Round pick. In addition, the Clippers will match the 3-year, $21 million contract Rivers has with Boston.
The interesting part is yet to come: Will David Stern allow it? Stay tuned reader...
Boston discusses...
((HT: CSNNE.com))
There was talk that either Kevin Garnett and/or Paul Pierce would join Rivers in Los Angeles, but any deal involving Garnett is dead. Pierce could be easily amnestied and picked up as an outside, veteran shooter that the Clips could always use...
**UPDATED**--Monday afternoon. It appears the league is giving their blessing to the deal. So it appears you will have a Doc on the sideline at Clipper games. Now the question is "Will this keep Chris Paul in the fold?"
ESPN is reporting the on again/off again trade between the Boson Celtics and LA Clippers is apparently about to be consummated.
Details are still being ironed out, but reports this afternoon say the Clips were offering 2 draft picks.
Update---The compensation appears to be a 2015 1st Round pick. In addition, the Clippers will match the 3-year, $21 million contract Rivers has with Boston.
The interesting part is yet to come: Will David Stern allow it? Stay tuned reader...
Boston discusses...
((HT: CSNNE.com))
There was talk that either Kevin Garnett and/or Paul Pierce would join Rivers in Los Angeles, but any deal involving Garnett is dead. Pierce could be easily amnestied and picked up as an outside, veteran shooter that the Clips could always use...
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Report: Clippers and Celtics Looking at Trade For Doc Rivers: Is This Possible?
((ht: sports.yahoo.com))Huh?
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports that a trade between the LA Clippers and Boston Celtics is in the deep in negotiations.
And get this: The trade would included draft picks and a couple of current Clippers for Celtics forward Kevin Garnett...and coach Doc Rivers.
Yes, for a coach.
Read the insightful report from Wojnarowski RIGHT HERE
Ok, yes, we think this is kind of weird too. But, Rivers did let it be known that perhaps it's time for a change of scenery for him. But he's got 3-years left on a hefty contract. Garnett still has some time left too, but would be willing to go, as long as it's with his coach.
There is another reason for the Clippers to do this. They want very much to keep free-agent to be Chris Paul in the fold and are fearful he's going to leave and turn down a max contract. Rivers would be an enticement to keep him around.
Nobody is sure how the NBA would react to this. The only parallel we can think of is Toronto getting a Mike Aviles in return for the Boston Red Sox hiring John Farrell. The Chicago White Sox got a couple of minor leaguers for Ozzie Guillen signing to manage the Florida Marlins is another one.
We're guessing the NBA's reaction if this were to happen would be interesting to say the least.
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