Warriors coach tells Clippers fans to stay away
Golden State coach Mark Jackson has a suggestion for fans of both the Warriors and the Clippers: Don't show up for Game 5 in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
Golden State coach Mark Jackson has a suggestion for fans of both the Warriors and the Clippers: Don't show up for Game 5 in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
Jackson was responding to questions Monday about how fans in Los Angeles should react to the purported comments of Clippers owner Donald Sterling, 80, telling a woman not to bring black people to his games or associate with them. The Warriors coach said:
"I believe if it was me, I wouldn't come to the game. I believe the fans, the loudest statement that they can make as fans is to not show up to the game."
Jackson said players have families to worry about and are getting paid to be there, but fans "cannot allow someone with these feelings to profit."
The series is tied at two games apiece.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday afternoon to discuss the league's investigation of the alleged comments.
Josh Harris, the 76es managing owner, said: "Without question, discrimination in any form is unacceptable and has no place in the National Basketball Association or anywhere else in society. The comments were hurtful and outrageous, and in no way reflect the values and beliefs of myself, our ownership group, or the Philadelphia 76ers organization."
Meanwhile, the NAACP has decided not to honor Sterling with a lifetime achievement award from its Los Angeles chapter. Donations made by Sterling, who has owned the team since 1981, will be returned, Leon Jenkins, president of the Los Angeles NAACP, said. Jenkins wouldn't say how much money was involved. Sterling had been slated to receive the honor on May 15.
"There is a personal, economic, and social price that Mr. Sterling must pay for his attempt to turn back the clock on race relations," Jenkins said.