The event and location may have changed, but NBA Commissioner is clear that the Sterling era in the NBA is over. Silver addressed the media about an hour before the official start of the NBA Draft lottery.
Two of the first four questions were in regards to embattled Clippers owner Donald Sterling, and Silver didn’t bat an eye lash when he again reiterated that Sterling must go.
Silver says forcing Donald Sterling to sell the Los Angeles Clippers is an “unprecedented proceeding” that is worth any obstacles that may arise. The league charged Sterling on Monday with damaging the league and its marketing partners, and is planning a June 3 hearing after which owners could vote to force him to sell the franchise he has owned since 1981.
Silver says Sterling’s remarks caused an anger and a sadness in the league, and used Kevin Durant’s emotional speech after winning the MVP award as an example.
Durant “embodies what this league is all about and frankly Mr. Sterling doesn’t.”
Adam Silver reiterated that if Donald Sterling is forced out, so to is his wife, Shelly Sterling as well.