Adam Silver had no idea players were going to boycott before he banned Donald Sterling
By Josh Hill
The biggest story of the sports week was not about Johnny Manziel or Bryce Harper’s lack of hustle. Rather, the story of the week focused on the heinous world views that Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has and the ramifications that came from TMZ making those views to the world public.
Adam Silver imposed a lifetime ban on Sterling this week and it seemed to satisfy a league full of players who were ready to get drastic if they didn’t hear something they thought was just. But while teams were organizing boycotts of playoff games, Adam Silver had no idea this was going on.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was not aware players were planning a boycott when he issued Sterling's lifetime ban.
— Liz Mullen (@SBJLizMullen) May 1, 2014
This makes the ban that much more amazing and satisfying as it shows that Silver didn’t seek the maximum penalty because he was being controlled by the players. Silver didn’t even consult the owners of the league, he just straight up ban Sterling because he was that mad at him.
The ruling was a just one and we now know that it was organically Silver’s decision and the player boycotts had no role in his bringing the hammer down on Sterling.