2014 NBA Playoffs

[Outshined_One]

On the one hand, it gives me momentary pause when someone is punished for voicing their beliefs, regardless of how racist/sexist/necrophilic/etc. those beliefs are.

 

On the other hand, he's a racist [expletive] who agreed to abide by the NBA's rules the day he bought the term, said some incredibly racist things that resulted in a mass sponsorship exodus, a near-boycott that would have crippled the NBA, and a PR nightmare which all could have cost substantial amounts of money and credibility for his franchise and for the NBA.

 

He got what he deserved.

[Sammy Sofa]

On the one hand, it gives me momentary pause when someone is punished for voicing their beliefs, regardless of how racist/sexist/necrophilic/etc. those beliefs are.

 

Why?

[NOLA]

My cubicle neighbor was complaining today about how if the roles were reversed (race-wise obviously) oh it would be a different story and how Sterling was baited into those remarks.

 

So yeah, at least with Facebook I can block things I don't want to see or hear. Not so much at work. :stickman:

Actually she's right. It would be a different story because WHITE PEOPLE NEVER WERE SLAVES FORCED TO PICK COTTON! See, no context.

[Sosa21MVP]

My cubicle neighbor was complaining today about how if the roles were reversed (race-wise obviously) oh it would be a different story and how Sterling was baited into those remarks.

 

So yeah, at least with Facebook I can block things I don't want to see or hear. Not so much at work. :stickman:

Actually she's right. It would be a different story because WHITE PEOPLE NEVER WERE SLAVES FORCED TO PICK COTTON! See, no context.

 

Well duh, I never claimed HE was the brightest bulb in the bunch.

 

I'm not sure how you assigned a gender based on my post lol that is all.

[SpongeWorthy]

What a play by Westbrook

 

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[OleMissCub]

Wow, 4th straight OT game for Grizz Thunder

[CubInOK]

Brooks knows how to draw em up.

[Outshined_One]

On the one hand, it gives me momentary pause when someone is punished for voicing their beliefs, regardless of how racist/sexist/necrophilic/etc. those beliefs are.

 

Why?

 

He basically had a private conversation with his mistress that she recorded (knowingly or not) and took public (likely without his consent). I believe in most situations, a person's political/religious/social views shouldn't necessarily be grounds for something along the lines of termination of employment or expulsion or fines, especially if those views are kept private, out of the public, and out of the workplace. It wasn't like he said all of this at a press conference or at a team meeting.

 

Moreover, what also doesn't sit right with me is that Sterling's racism was well-known and well-documented, as evidenced by multiple lawsuits and settlements, but it took something like this to lay down the hammer on him. If this had happened as a result of him getting slapped with another DOJ lawsuit for racial discrimination, it'd make more sense to me. But a recording that goes viral is what finally rids the NBA of this guy? What does it say that the NBA was willing to tolerate someone who perpetuated institutional racism for decades and didn't get rid of him until his pissed off mistress released a recording that told them everything they already know?

 

However, as I said, Sterling got what he deserved. He has every right to open his mouth and spout off whatever nonsense he wants, but that nonsense could have cost the league millions upon millions of dollars. The league had every right to take these actions against him to protect itself from further damage. It was the right call.

[Guest]

joey crawford takes over.

[OleMissCub]

Wow, Joey Crawford.

[Banedon]

Mark Wohlers ‏@MarkWohlers 3h

I’m off to search for the First Amendment. Hopefully it’s around here somewhere. Be back soon #fingerscrossed

 

Mark Wohlers must be thinking that Sterling was arrested.

 

There needs to be a Cosmos-like show that explains basic US civics to the average person.

[Soul]

Or maybe a public service announcement. Something. It's clear that a huge part of the country has no idea what the first amendment is.

[jersey cubs fan]

On the one hand, it gives me momentary pause when someone is punished for voicing their beliefs, regardless of how racist/sexist/necrophilic/etc. those beliefs are.

 

Why?

 

He basically had a private conversation with his mistress that she recorded (knowingly or not) and took public (likely without his consent). I believe in most situations, a person's political/religious/social views shouldn't necessarily be grounds for something along the lines of termination of employment or expulsion or fines, especially if those views are kept private, out of the public, and out of the workplace. It wasn't like he said all of this at a press conference or at a team meeting.

 

Moreover, what also doesn't sit right with me is that Sterling's racism was well-known and well-documented, as evidenced by multiple lawsuits and settlements, but it took something like this to lay down the hammer on him. If this had happened as a result of him getting slapped with another DOJ lawsuit for racial discrimination, it'd make more sense to me. But a recording that goes viral is what finally rids the NBA of this guy? What does it say that the NBA was willing to tolerate someone who perpetuated institutional racism for decades and didn't get rid of him until his pissed off mistress released a recording that told them everything they already know?

 

However, as I said, Sterling got what he deserved. He has every right to open his mouth and spout off whatever nonsense he wants, but that nonsense could have cost the league millions upon millions of dollars. The league had every right to take these actions against him to protect itself from further damage. It was the right call.

 

And that didn't happen, so too bad.

 

This wasn't an assembly line worker talking crap over beers. This was a billionaire owner with a track record of institutionalized racist actions who did the bare minimum to maintain his organization as a viable entity. He was not terminated from his job. He was not sent to jail. He was suspended from attending functions and will be pressured to sell that franchise for about $1 billion and an enormous profit.

 

Just stop with this stupidity.

[Guest]

there are certain beliefs you should keep to yourself and attempt to destroy at every turn.

[Sammy Sofa]

On the one hand, it gives me momentary pause when someone is punished for voicing their beliefs, regardless of how racist/sexist/necrophilic/etc. those beliefs are.

 

Why?

 

He basically had a private conversation with his mistress that she recorded (knowingly or not) and took public (likely without his consent). I believe in most situations, a person's political/religious/social views shouldn't necessarily be grounds for something along the lines of termination of employment or expulsion or fines, especially if those views are kept private, out of the public, and out of the workplace. It wasn't like he said all of this at a press conference or at a team meeting.

 

So what? Just because someone isn't saying it doesn't mean it's not impacting their life and the decisions they make. It's not like people are getting punished for not liking pickles or voting a certain way; again, it's really not all that difficult to not be racist or homophobic or xenophobic.

[Soul]

This whole idea of Sterling being punished: OK, yes I guess he is being punished. But not in the same way that an average joe employee would be punished by being fired.

 

He stands to be forced to sell his franchise at a massive profit. He stands to be fined pennies compared to his wealth.

[Guest]

On the one hand, it gives me momentary pause when someone is punished for voicing their beliefs, regardless of how racist/sexist/necrophilic/etc. those beliefs are.

 

Why?

 

He basically had a private conversation with his mistress that she recorded (knowingly or not) and took public (likely without his consent). I believe in most situations, a person's political/religious/social views shouldn't necessarily be grounds for something along the lines of termination of employment or expulsion or fines, especially if those views are kept private, out of the public, and out of the workplace. It wasn't like he said all of this at a press conference or at a team meeting.

 

So what? Just because someone isn't saying it doesn't mean it's not impacting their life and the decisions they make. It's not like people are getting punished for not liking pickles or voting a certain way; again, it's really not all that difficult to not be racist or homophobic or xenophobic.

 

plus, he isn't being thrown in jail.

 

this is truly a fantastic thing, because it spotlights the institutional racism still going on in this country. what the players were prepared to do is inspiring, it kind of rekindles the revolutionary spirit of the CRM. People are thinking about it, talking about it, an changing their minds about it.

[Old Style]

Saw this on another forum. How do you argue with stupidity like this?

 

Sterling said he didn't want his side gash advertising that she was hanging out with Blacks. It may make Sterling a bigot, but it doesn't make him a racist.

 

Unless he came out and directly said Blacks are an inferior race, you can't say he is a racist

[jersey cubs fan]

side gash? strong take bro

[UMFan83]

That Thunder-Griz series has been awesome. Last night alone you had Westbrook's steal and dunk, the Grizzlies hitting a shot ~0.3 seconds after the buzzer to win it in regulation then the Thunder hitting a shot with ~0.1 seconds after the buzzer to win it in OT.

[Sammy Sofa]

Saw this on another forum. How do you argue with stupidity like this?

 

Sterling said he didn't want his side gash advertising that she was hanging out with Blacks. It may make Sterling a bigot, but it doesn't make him a racist.

 

Unless he came out and directly said Blacks are an inferior race, you can't say he is a racist

 

Hollllllllllllly [expletive].

[Soul]

LOL, that kind of stuff is all over the place this week. It's amazing to me how pervasive these attitudes still are, in 2014.

 

That and this maddening idea that people should be able to say whatever they want and everyone just has to sit there with a smile on their face and nod their heads in agreement, or something. 'Cuz after all, free speech dude. It's written in the constitution.

[Burtonbell]

Ok, one of my coworkers is saying

 

This Sterling issue is just a money issue and that deep down the league knows they cant force him to sell the team. The conversation was recorded illegally so it would get thrown out in a court of law and the owners have no recourse to force him to sell his team. He donated to the NAACP and was going to be given a reward, why would they do that? The league is on a slippery slope here and I guess if anyone says anything that offends someone else they can just lose their job. Oh, but they agree the guy is a scumbag.

 

How do you respond to this stupidity. Oh, and of course this person also thinks Obama is just the worst president ever and that Bush wasn't too bad. :banghead:

 

I just said ok, I dont follow the NBA that much. Did you catch the hockey game last night? They walked away thank God! lol

[Old Style]

More gems from the same idiot...

 

How racist is this guy if his mistress/girlfriend is half-black?

How is he getting these lifetime achievement awards from the NAACP? Did he just donate a [expletive] of money to them?

It isn't the NBA's job to be thought police.

As for the threats from players to boycott, that would last about 5 minutes, when their agents would tell them not only won't be paid for the time they're not playing, but will also be fined for missing games.

[davell]

Here's my question: Everyone seems to have known about his overt racism for quite a while. So why were players OK with things prior to this, if it were basically a known fact long before, stemming from Elgin, the other lawsuits, etc?

 

I'm glad to see the [expletive] finally get what's coming to him, but everyone knew this previously and it should have happened long ago.