Clippers Play Warriors Amid Controversy
Normally, we may have started this article by discussing how well Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan are playing and how the Los Angeles Clippers lead their first round playoff series 2-1, but instead we all have to focus on Donald Sterling’s alleged racist comments.
There was some talk of Clippers players refusing to play after an alleged recording of Sterling surfaced telling his girlfriend to “not bring black people” to Clippers games. Â However, according to Doc Rivers, the Clippers will be out in full force.
For me, I want to focus on my guys. I came here for them. They came here for each other. Our goals have not changed. It’s like one of the players said, `Hey, when I was a kid, I had a goal to win a world championship. It was to do that. It wasn’t to win a world championship for someone.’
-Doc Rivers
The players should not be faulted for this and pursuing a championship is why they play the sport. However, it is hard to get past the point that playing basketball or winning the championship is going to put money in Sterling’s pocket. This fact alone may make LA the most hated team in the playoffs. It is going to be a huge distraction for them to overcome.
In fact, Clippers stars Chris Paul and Griffin have essentially refused to address the issue. Â Paul has said in a statement “this is a very serious issue which we will address aggressively” but has yet to do so.
Again, Rivers insists that his team is focused on achieving a dream and are not concerning themselves or associating themselves with Sterling, despite the fact they make him money.
A lot of guys voiced their opinions. None of them were happy about it. This was a situation where we’re trying to go after something very important for us, something that we’ve all dreamed about all our childhoods. Donald or anyone else had nothing to do with that dream, and we’re not going to let anything get in the way of those dreams.
-Doc Rivers
The team was greeted by fifty reporters after practice today and this is what is going to be on the forefront of everyone’s minds when the game starts tomorrow. Â It is going to be a distraction to say the least.
Meanwhile, LA playoff opponents, Golden State Warriors, coach Mark Jackson has said “there is no place” for Sterling in the NBA but he will remain focused on the game and getting the Warriors back into the series.
The Clippers have won the last two games to take a series lead, 2-1. Game 4 is tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Clippers are favored to beat the Warriors with a -2 point spread.
