Doc Rivers addresses Donald Sterling comments, says players are upset but won’t boycott
By Josh Hill
The biggest story in the NBA isn’t about how the Los Angeles Clippers are in a position on Sunday to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, rather it’s on their owner and the racist comments he allegedly made again. While Donald Sterling was accused of being a racist in the past, this time it appears he’s been caught on tape.
Everyone in the NBA has been weighing in on the matter except those directly connected with the Clippers but that has now changed. Head coach Doc Rivers spoke to the media about the incident and noted the anger in the locker room by not just African American players but every player on the roster regardless of race.
Doc Rivers: "JJ Redick was just pissed as Chris Paul." Clippers talked it out in pre practice meeting. Boycotting brought up. Doc against it
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) April 26, 2014
Doc Rivers: "were not happy with any of it. Were going to let the due process happen." Doc added that "it upsets me and upsets this team."
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) April 26, 2014
Rivers then mentioned that the incident is nothing more than a distraction to the team right now and that the players want to play for the fans.
Doc Rivers says the Clippers will play Golden State in Game 4. Rivers called it "a distraction."
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) April 26, 2014
Doc: "it's a disturbing comment but we will have to be above it right now." Doc: "I don't like racism but let it run it's course."
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) April 26, 2014
A player boycott would send an intense message to Sterling but if that was him on the TMZ tape then he clearly doesn’t care. The folks most hurt by a player boycott are the Clippers’ fans and a run to the Finals would now be an even closer bond between the fans and players with the owner, for the most part, cut out.