To The Approval Of Virtually Everyone, Silver Bans Sterling For Life
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - Less than three months into his tenure as NBA commissioner, Adam Silver is a hit.
Silver dropped the hammer on notorious Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who has exhibited questionable behavior for years but received a lifetime ban Tuesday for a recorded conversation with his girlfriend in which he tells her not to bring black players to Clippers games. The racist comments kicked off a firestorm over the weekend, and Silver delivered judgment swiftly.
Silver also said he expects the owners to vote to force Sterling to sell the Clippers. Needless to say, reaction from current and former NBA players, athletes in other sports and media members has been overwhelmingly positive.
Commissioner Silver thank you for protecting our beautiful and powerful league!! Great leader!! #BiggerThanBasketball #StriveForGreatness
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 29, 2014
https://twitter.com/Jarrettjack03/statuses/461209427883081729
https://twitter.com/QuincyPondexter/statuses/461208444008022016
https://twitter.com/Bowen12/statuses/461208836120932352
https://twitter.com/DavidtheAdmiral/statuses/461213828802289664
https://twitter.com/ReggieMillerTNT/statuses/461213019653955584
Thank You Mr. Silver!!!
— Tim Hardaway Jr (@T_HardJR) April 29, 2014
Magic Johnson says NBA commissioner Adam Silver showed great leadership in banning Donald Sterling. pic.twitter.com/al8OS7XpED
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 29, 2014
Silver today. pic.twitter.com/Zs3Lo38RVo
— The Valenti Show with Rico (@ValentiPodcast) April 29, 2014
Thank You, Commissioner Silver for doing precisely wanted NEEDED to be done. The message has been sent.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 29, 2014
Silver? More like ... GOLD. #finalanalysis
— Dan Hanzus (@DanHanzus) April 29, 2014
adam silver > david stern (and it's not even close)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 29, 2014
Adam Silver Great Job!! http://t.co/iyCUCh8PCQ
— DIGGZ32 (@JamesIhedigbo) April 29, 2014
Donald sterling got what he deserves ain't nobody got time for racism now days there are so many other important things to worry about!!!
— denicos allen (@D_ALLEN_28) April 29, 2014
Disappointed that press conference didn't conclude with a standing ovation for Adam Silver.
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) April 29, 2014
Multiple reports said players were prepared to boycott if Silver did not serve Sterling with the maximum penalty.