So I was going to town tonight, listening to the radio (98.1 - 92.9) (Don't remember which one) but they were saying that LeBron said that he would not be playing in the NBA next season if Donald Sterling or any Sterling for that matter was the owner of the Clippers.

 

How many of us think he's bluffing?

Face of the League trying to force the Owners hands to force out Sterling. I'm OK with what he said and why he said it though.

Any chance the NBA is pushing this issue behind the scenes? A potential player strike cuts into revenues and gives the NBA a stronger case legally to oust Sterling.

Players League. If they don't want to play in a league with Sterling owners then they won't play. It is that simple. So NBA knows what has to happen and the Sterlings know what needs to happen.

Maybe Sterling goes Jackie Moon and plays for the team.

No chance he sits. I honestly don't see any of them boycotting the season.

 

A game is one thing. An entire year, nope, this is these guys livelihoods.

As long as its without pay, good statement, doubt he needs to work another day in his life. At least he is willing to sacrifice for his cause. Ive said all along I agree with objections, but until the players, the NAACP etc start returning the mans money they are just providing lipservice and an opportunity for media honks to compete in the most PC contest.

This has already been shot down...

 

Roger Mason Jr., the VP of the Players Union: "LBJ never said anything about boycotting. He’s a friend and I would never want to imply something he didn’t say.”

 

Heat teammate James Jones, the Secretary of the Players Union: “There is no boycott. There isn’t a lot of talk about a boycott. The union wanted to see the league step up and did what they did what we felt was appropriate – which was to remove Donald Sterling. They did that. It’s a process and we know it’s going to take time. But there is total trust between the union and the league and commissioner and the owners, knowing that eventually it will all play out the way we agreed – which is Donald Sterling no longer being the owner of an NBA team. We’re all on the same page. The Donald Sterling situation is a league situation. It’s not basketball.”

0% chance he doesn't play.

^ Both those above posts.

 

 

This isn't going to be resolved for a while IMO.

Agree this will be drawn out; Sterlings have the money and lawyers to fight

and with the wife being involved it's going to take awhile.

 

On a related note Lebron & Ray Allen killed it the last 4 minutes.

Yesterday Stephen A. Smith, who is as well connected as anyone, hinted that if a vote by the owners to oust Sterling has not taken place by the end of the conference finals or by the start of the NBA Finals, something could go down. That does not mean Sterling will be out by then, but many are starting to get frustrated that a vote has not yet occurred. He did not say what would happen, but hinted that it could be big.

 

As long as the wheels are in motion I think the players will be fine. They have to understand this will be caught up in court for a while. And while Sterling is who he is, the guy is LOADED and has nothing else to do but fight this. The players just don't want to have the empty suits sitting on their hands with this issue.

Yesterday Stephen A. Smith, who is as well connected as anyone, hinted that if a vote by the owners to oust Sterling has not taken place by the end of the conference finals or by the start of the NBA Finals, something could go down. That does not mean Sterling will be out by then, but many are starting to get frustrated that a vote has not yet occurred. He did not say what would happen, but hinted that it could be big.

 

As long as the wheels are in motion I think the players will be fine. They have to understand this will be caught up in court for a while. And while Sterling is who he is, the guy is LOADED and has nothing else to do but fight this. The players just don't want to have the empty suits sitting on their hands with this issue.

 

That makes perfect sense also. Looking at the replies from Roger Mason, Jr. and James Jones those are typical answers that you make to put on the air of goodwill without tipping your hand to the underlying issue.

 

Should be interesting. They better get that vote done if that is all that is needed to appease the players.

Why the delay on the vote? Yes of no - shouldn't be all that tough.

Why the delay on the vote? Yes of no - shouldn't be all that tough.

 

My guess is just having their legal ducks in a row. Seems like before an official vote could take place the other 29 owners could draft a resolution or letter in which they all sign stating their intentions in an attempt to appease the players until the formal vote can take place.