Today, April 29th, 2014, marks a historic day in NBA history.  Adam Silver, the NBA’s new commissioner, held a press conference banning Los Angeles Clippers Owner, Donald Sterling, for LIFE from the NBA.  Silver has also enforced a fine of $2.5 Million; the biggest possible fine allowable by the NBA.  Despite Adam Silver’s obvious nerves and shaky voice in his press conference, I say AMEN to you Adam Silver.  He simply did what HAD to be done.  I honestly did not expect Silver to bring a lifetime ban upon Donald Sterling, but I couldn’t be happier that he did.  There is NO place in the NBA, make that the world, for animals like Donald Sterling.  Now, the other important tidbit of information we received today from this press conference is that the other majority owners in the NBA have the authority to force Sterling to sell The Clippers.  In order to do this there must be a 75% vote amongst the other 29 owners in the NBA (this would translate to 22 out of these 29 owners).  I say that Adam Silver has basically forced the hand of the owners to do just that; force him OUT!!  

              While the result of this press conference is a tremendous step in the right direction, there is more to this situation than meets the eye.  This situation is about equality.  It is about self-respect and human decency.  And now that the NBA has done its part in banning Donald Sterling for life, the players and fans of the great NBA must stand up and do what’s right.  The tough question that you must be asking yourself at this very moment is: What is the right thing to do as a fan or player?  To that I have my opinion that I will express here.  Sports, and basketball more specifically, while just a game, represents much more than that.  Basketball gives people hope and creates unity among many different groups of people.  Every player in the NBA, whether black, white, or any other color, can band together to create change.  The players in the NBA can make a difference if they stick together.  I don’t know individual players opinions in the NBA, but I’d like to think that most human beings feel that Sterling’s point of view is completely irrational and unacceptable in any walk of life.  I believe that the players of the NBA need to stand up together and make an even stronger statement than Adam Silver and the NBA already did.  Every player in the playoffs should take time before every game to lock arms and stand together as one.  They should show bigots like Sterling that they are above the scum of the earth like him.  They should show everyone in the world that blacks, whites, and any other race of people can and should live together in harmony.  Anyone and everyone in the public eye should stand up to people like Sterling and voice their opinions.

             Now, we wait for Sterling’s response (if he has one).  What he should do is sell his team tomorrow, move to the middle of nowhere, and die, out of the public eye.  What he will probably do is sue the ex-girlfriend (no I will not mention her name because she is simply a prostitute with no values) who leaked the tapes, and fight this to the bitter end.  Either way, he will die in the near future as a hated racist.  Today, as I said earlier, is a historic day in NBA history.  I applaud Adam Silver and his team of people for doing the right thing today.  He has forced the hand of the owners to rid the league of Donald Sterling.  Don’t think so?  Trust me.  If any of the 29 other owners in the NBA vote NOT to force Sterling out, they will be in a world of hurt and viewed in a very negative light.  Bye-Bye Donald Sterling.  Enjoy your extra warm seat next to John Rocker and Marge Schott for eternity.           

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