Adam Silver press conference: Silver says a lot without saying much

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver held a press conference today regarding Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Clippers head coach Doc Rivers is understandably angered by what’s going on while he’s trying to figure out a game plan against the Golden State Warriors. Rivers feels like this is too big of a distraction, that he came to the team for the guys on the roster.

Rivers also mentioned that boycotting the team is something that could be done, but he and his players are there to play.

I don’t understand how Sterling would even think about even making these remarks. More than half of his team and this league is African-American, so what does that say about the guys who are currently busting their butts to bring him a championship? Does he not want them showing up either?

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says that everyone should have the ability to share their side of the story, so nothing will be done to Mr. Sterling — yet.

This was the first major issue that Adam Silver has had to deal with since becoming the commissioner and that’s also why this is a notable event. It’s not a mere footnote in the story, as the punishment will begin and end with Silver and there has been a call for swift judgment.

As far as what Sterling’s punishment will be, Silver skated around the topic as best he could since there is still an ongoing investigation. Whatever the punishment is, Silver’s standing with NBA players will be effected one way or another but he also mustn’t give into the mob mentality brewing in the league and burn Sterling at the stake.

Something like this shouldn’t have happened, no matter how he was raised or what he believes in. The worst case scenario is that he’ll be kicked out of the league, which would end up resulting in the league taking over ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers until they could find a new buyer. We don’t know if that’s the right move to make but that’s the point — we’re not the ones handing out the punishment, Silver is.

Adam Silver isn’t the headline in this story but he’s the guy who can close the book. What he decides to do with Sterling will become the first chapter in his legacy and it’s as important for him to act fast as it is to act justly.