NBA: 2013-2014 Season - DONE Spurs Win

[kjb]

Of course she knew. She was trying to get more money from him and she recorded their conversation. My issue with the whole thing is this was no secret he that he was bigoted person who was sued by the Justice Dept for denying housing to minorities and women. I think Cuban makes some valid points and we have to be very careful. Granted I do understand that the suspension more or less is a culmination of Sterling's past but the question becomes what would have happened if this tape didn't exist would he still be an active owner? Just saying

 

[McLaren]

He would still be an owner. Silver tried to make it clear the ban was based on the tape alone & not on past actions.

1) He'd already been to court & settled on 1 issue.
2) It can't look like Silver was out for vengeance against Sterling for past actions.

 

[a6m5]

First: Go Blazers.

Cuban was talking about that Adam Silver can't just take the team away from him & make him sell before the press conference was shown; that that would be a slippery slope for Silver.

Oh, that goes without saying. The "slippery slope" clip I caught did not mention that Cuban was speaking in regards to the Commissioner, by himself forcing the sale of the team. Obviously, no league commissioner in any sport holds that kind of power. Thanks for the clarification. 👍

Personally, I think the force sell may have been a step too far. I am in no way supporting what Sterling said, but he's being treated by some as if he said the N-word or called them other derogatory terms or treated them like slaves (yeah, a slave owner will definitely dish out $107 million for 5 years if he had that kind of mindset). From what I heard, he simply said he did not want his girlfriend associating with them in the public light (taking photos for Instagram, bringing them to games) & made it clear that he just did not like black people. That is technically his opinion & freedom of speech and was done in the privacy of a conversation between him & her. If anything, she should be facing some punishment as well since she clearly egged him on to keep talking about them, even after (if I remember right), he asked her to drop the conversation. I think the banning from having any interaction would have eventually forced him to sell because players could be signed any kind of crazy money he may not have possibly approved of or all the sponsors dropping out (as they did following it).

My very first impression after hearing the clips from the recording: Entrapment.

Did it buy any sympathy from me? No. I still hope the he is forced out of the NBA, but I do agree with you: By just about severing Sterling from any control of his team, he is just about done. It does seem that Silver effectively did kick him out of the NBA, leaving just the strict investor-type tie to his own team.

Dude is a racist bigot, but the players protesting are laughable; he's been in the news for this numerous times, and none of them "knew" until it affected someone close to them (Johnson).

You got me there, I am guilty on this one. I do faintly recall race being mentioned with Baylor suit, but I don't think I thought anything of it at the time? If anything, I probably considered it a bogus "race card".

Honestly, I'm starting to believe this was the agenda all along. It's like one day we have the pretty obviously gold-digging "girlfriend" of Sterling showing up at a Clippers game with Magic Johnson. The next day we have this tape show up. The next day, without a hint of due process, the media, players and league are all calling for the forced sale. The next day Magic says he wants to buy. It's all very convenient how this puzzle comes together this quick. Think the GF knew it would anger Sterling if she brought guys like Magic and Matt Kemp to the game. Got him in the argument with the tapes rolling and proceeded to bait him into saying whatever she could.

Once she did that. The hypocrites in the media and black "leadership" jump in. The social media PC obsessed culture we live in follow and tars him a racist. And you've got Paula Dean all over again.

I don't agree at all with what Sterling said. In fact, ironically I'm a white guy who had what I thought could have been a great relationship ruined early on by a family that couldn't, and wouldn't, deal with my race some years ago. Obviously different situations, but same premise. So yea, his words on this night were obviously wrong. But then you consider that he was set to be honored by the NAACP for the second time. In less than a week he goes from a two time award winner to ultimate pariah. Convenient.

Sucks this nonsense is happening now. Really taking away from some great series going on right now. GO Hawks!!!

I do like bad conspiracy theories & it is a interesting one.

P.S. Go Pacers, eh?

 

[McLaren]

You got me there, I am guilty on this one. I do faintly recall race being mentioned with Baylor suit, but I don't think I thought anything of it at the time? If anything, I probably considered it a bogus "race card".

He's had a few reports of discrimination within' the last decade. In 2006, he was accused of refusing to rent to minorities for various stereotypes & 2009, he was forced to pay around $5 million in fines/fees for it. Then there a few complaints that happened within' the organization, such as the Baylor one you listed. There was also one from Elton Brand in 2007 (IIRC) that claimed Sterling would bring prostitutes/strippers/women of that nature into the locker room and once said, "Look at those beautiful black bodies".

I just find it hard to believe people like Doc or Paul, as involved as they are within' the interests of the players, didn't know anything about this or reacted sooner.

One of the things I read today was about the impending lawsuit Sterling will bring against the NBA, citing that Sterling has a past of being a very aggressive negotiator & that the NBA will see that he has an extremely determined & "tyrannical" attitude in the court room. Which really just means he's prepared to fight for the team and he will have more than enough money to keep dragging it out. And even if he loses & sells, his paycheck from the sale will still cover any court fees. He's going to win-win in my eyes if he does indeed go to court as far as money is concerned.

 

[a6m5]

Yeah, I'd be shocked if there wasn't a court fight.

I told everybody at work today that the officiating will keep this series alive. So far, so good.

 

[JohnBM01]

The Rockets are staying alive thanks in part to their 108-98 victory here in Houston. I'm happy we won, but I am far from satisfied. Rockets basically have to win out if they want to see the 2nd Round. That means winning in Portland on Friday; and if we win at Portland on Friday, they then have to win at home here in Houston on Sunday if the Rockets want to extend their season.

Portland now leads the HOU/POR series 3-2.

 

[McLaren]

Yeah, I'd be shocked if there wasn't a court fight.

I told everybody at work today that the officiating will keep this series alive. So far, so good.

It will be interesting to say the least.

Apparently, D'Antoni just resigned as the Lakers head coach yesterday.

 

[a6m5]

Apparently, D'Antoni just resigned as the Lakers head coach yesterday.

Might as well. I sure didn't see any positive closure to that deal.

 

[Paulie]

Perhaps the Sterling case deserves its own thread so the topic here can remain on basketball?

So, every series in the West is going at least 6 games eh? That's hectic. And may I just say, GO RAPTORS!!! Since I'm Australian I'll have to change their playoffs slogan slightly, "They Winterfell the North!".

 

[Sanji Himura]

I would like to make a quick comment over the Sterling issue. Not too long ago, Magic Johnson made a push to buy the Clippers from Sterling. Sterling refused to sell the team then. Sterling's girlfriend made a recording to entrap him to sell the team. Low and behold, when the Clippers were in the playoffs, this tape surfaces.

One thing does work to Sterling's advantage in this matter. The tape itself would not be allowed as evidence if the NBA decides to take Sterling to court to force a sale. California is a two-party consent state on vocal recordings, or rather wiretaps. By making the recording in the first place, Sterling's girlfriend, and by extension, Magic Johnson, is guilty of an illegal wiretap, regardless of the content.

 

[Blitz24]

I would like to make a quick comment over the Sterling issue. Not too long ago, Magic Johnson made a push to buy the Clippers from Sterling. Sterling refused to sell the team then. Sterling's girlfriend made a recording to entrap him to sell the team. Low and behold, when the Clippers were in the playoffs, this tape surfaces.

One thing does work to Sterling's advantage in this matter. The tape itself would not be allowed as evidence if the NBA decides to take Sterling to court to force a sale. California is a two-party consent state on vocal recordings, or rather wiretaps. By making the recording in the first place, Sterling's girlfriend, and by extension, Magic Johnson, is guilty of an illegal wiretap, regardless of the content.

If Magic Johnson truly did that he might end up being banned from NBA sites as well.

 

[sumbrownkid]

So does Russell Westbrook not know how to play as a PG? He thinks he's a shooting guard. Honestly, I think Scotty Brooks sucks as a coach and doesn't have the balls to put Russell in his place.

I'd still take a Derrick Rose that missed the past two seasons to injury over Russell.

 

[Blitz24]

I'm being attacked by friends after I stated that it would be a big deal if it turns out that Sterling was wiretapped. They said it doesn't matter if she used illegal means to get him to say it.

 

[McLaren]

So does Russell Westbrook not know how to play as a PG? He thinks he's a shooting guard. Honestly, I think Scotty Brooks sucks as a coach and doesn't have the balls to put Russell in his place.

I'd still take a Derrick Rose that missed the past two seasons to injury over Russell.

Thats why he's called Westbrick. His offense relies on hero ball than actual passing. When was the last time he made a pass as visually stunning as Paul or Stockton or Kidd?

 

[SagarisGTB]

So does Russell Westbrook not know how to play as a PG? He thinks he's a shooting guard. Honestly, I think Scotty Brooks sucks as a coach and doesn't have the balls to put Russell in his place.

I'd still take a Derrick Rose that missed the past two seasons to injury over Russell.

Russ runs the team just fine at times, but his coach doesn't know what an offensive set is, he regularly plays with 2-3 players on the floor who are allergic to offense (Perk and Sef mostly), others who can't create shots for themselves (Ibaka) and one soon-to-be MVP that can't get open and sometimes just stands in the corner late in games. Westbrook does take some bad shots, but he is also forced to take a lot of bail-out shots late in the clock because of the way the Thunder play.

And lol at the last quip. You shouldn't take Rose over Ty Lawson at this point, nevermind Russell Westbrook.

Thats why he's called Westbrick. His offense relies on hero ball than actual passing. When was the last time he made a pass as visually stunning as Paul or Stockton or Kidd?

He does all the time though. Westbrook's one handed bullet assists are some of the best looking passes in the game today.

 

[Aesthetics]

So look what Atlanta put outside the Arena for fans to smash..

 

[a6m5]

That's bull:censored:, but whatever....... I think I'm still scarred by the 80's. When I immigrated to the States, they were smashing Corollas as a payback for the trade deficit with Japan. I'm not gonna lie, it made me nervous!

 

[Omnis]

I would like to make a quick comment over the Sterling issue. Not too long ago, Magic Johnson made a push to buy the Clippers from Sterling. Sterling refused to sell the team then. Sterling's girlfriend made a recording to entrap him to sell the team. Low and behold, when the Clippers were in the playoffs, this tape surfaces.

One thing does work to Sterling's advantage in this matter. The tape itself would not be allowed as evidence if the NBA decides to take Sterling to court to force a sale. California is a two-party consent state on vocal recordings, or rather wiretaps. By making the recording in the first place, Sterling's girlfriend, and by extension, Magic Johnson, is guilty of an illegal wiretap, regardless of the content.

It's not an illegal wiretap if V.Whoreyano knew she was taping it.

That sneaky ol' Magic Johnson, always trying to steal from the white man.

 

[sumbrownkid]

Russ runs the team just fine at times, but his coach doesn't know what an offensive set is, he regularly plays with 2-3 players on the floor who are allergic to offense (Perk and Sef mostly), others who can't create shots for themselves (Ibaka) and one soon-to-be MVP that can't get open and sometimes just stands in the corner late in games. Westbrook does take some bad shots, but he is also forced to take a lot of bail-out shots late in the clock because of the way the Thunder play.

And lol at the last quip. You shouldn't take Rose over Ty Lawson at this point, nevermind Russell Westbrook.

He does all the time though. Westbrook's one handed bullet assists are some of the best looking passes in the game today.

No I'd still take Rose over Ty Lawson. I'll take a PG that managed to win an MVP over Lebron than any other PG, even if he was injured.

Yes my bias is all out in full swing.

And lol at the Lakers for thinking Thibs would want to jump ship into their toxic environment. Jim Buss needs to put down the reefer.

 

[McLaren]

Russ runs the team just fine at times, but his coach doesn't know what an offensive set is, he regularly plays with 2-3 players on the floor who are allergic to offense (Perk and Sef mostly), others who can't create shots for themselves (Ibaka) and one soon-to-be MVP that can't get open and sometimes just stands in the corner late in games. Westbrook does take some bad shots, but he is also forced to take a lot of bail-out shots late in the clock because of the way the Thunder play.

And lol at the last quip. You shouldn't take Rose over Ty Lawson at this point, nevermind Russell Westbrook.

Is it possibly due to many times, Westbrook will sit there & dribble the ball, then try to fire up a 3? In one of the earlier games, he ran the clock, then fired up a 3 with 2 Memphis bigs on him, completely ignoring that Serge was wide open next to the basket.

He does all the time though. Westbrook's one handed bullet assists are some of the best looking passes in the game today.

That's not even remotely what I'm talking about & it's not something he does unless he actually opens his freaking eyes. I'm talking about passes that Rondo, Nash, Iverson, Kidd, Stockon, & so forth used to do, passes that didn't require just chucking the ball to someone. These guys weren't even looking at open players & when they passed the ball, they would pass in ways that the defenders weren't even sure where the ball was going. Westbrook doesn't possess that skill. His passes are about as amazing as Wade's which consist of throwing it down the court & alley-oops; LeBron's finishes are what end up making them hit the highlight reel.

 

[sumbrownkid]

That's bull:censored:, but whatever....... I think I'm still scarred by the 80's. When I immigrated to the States, they were smashing Corollas as a payback for the trade deficit with Japan. I'm not gonna lie, it made me nervous!

It didn't matter back then anyway because those smashed Corollas still had better resale values than a comparable American car.

 

[Sanji Himura]

It's not an illegal wiretap if V.Whoreyano knew she was taping it.

That sneaky ol' Magic Johnson, always trying to steal from the white man.

Read California Penal Code 631. Quoting an actual law site in California:

California's law against wiretapping, Penal Code 631 PC, lists the activities that would constitute illegal wiretapping. These are:

1. Using any kind of machine or instrument to intentionally tap into, or make an unauthorized connection to, any telegraph or telephone line,
2. Reading or attempting to read or learn the contents of any message passing over a telephone or other wire, willfully and without the permission of all of the parties to the message,
3. Using or attempting to use or communicate any information gained in this way, AND
4. Aiding or conspiring with anyone else to do any of the things on this list.

Example: Robert is in the middle of a nasty divorce from his wife. With the help of a friend who is a private investigator, Robert taps his own phone. He plans to record phone conversations with his wife and use them against her in the divorce proceeding.

Robert is guilty of the crime of wiretapping even though he put the tap on his own phone...because his plan was to use the tap to record conversations with his wife without her permission. In addition, the private investigator friend who helped Robert set up the tap is also guilty of wiretapping.

 

[Omnis]

Without the permission of all parties. That means it would be illegal if Stiviano wasn't aware it was being recorded. She was.

 

[TRC GeorgiaDawg]

Without the permission of all parties. That means it would be illegal if Stiviano wasn't aware it was being recorded. She was.

Clearly, Sterling was not aware. Therefore the tape was illegally made under California law, and therefore isn't going to be admissible in a court of law. Which is where this thing is heading.

I still think this whole thing smells like a setup to me. I also think that despite their public statements the NBA owners are going to think twice and heavy about voting to remove Sterling. If you're a owner, why would you vote for a process which would allow another owner to be removed so quickly based on illegally obtained evidence? Because the next owner in line for a forced sale could be them.

Still, go Hawks. Paul George should be suspended, but they're going to weasel their way out of the clear precedent that's been set. Amare Stoudemire is going to go nuts when they announce PG isn't getting suspended.

 

[Omnis]

Sterling was not aware. He's only one party. Stiviano, the other party, was recording. It's not illegal.

 

[TRC GeorgiaDawg]

Sterling was not aware. He's only one party. Stiviano, the other party, was recording. It's not illegal.

What part of all are you not getting? One person does not equal all. It is illegal..end of.

 

[Omnis]

All means ALL. You're confusing the word all with the word any. To be illegal, it has to be recorded without the permission of ALL parties. This means both Stiviano in addition to Sterling had to have been unaware of it. Stiviano and her camp made and released the tape, thereby not fulfilling the conditions for its recording to have been illegal.


And it's not even a wiretap since it was recorded in person. Can you please move on now? This is basketball.

 

[TRC GeorgiaDawg]

all means ALL. You're confusing the word all with the word any.

Sorry, I'm not confusing anything. It seems you are. All does mean all. Not one person in a two party conversation. That's not all. Period. Example, if me and you were having this conversation on the phone in California and you wanted to record it. It's not good enough to make it legal if just YOU consent. I have to give consent as well. Every legal analyst I've seen on TV agrees with that interpretation. Further, the young lady's (and I use that term loosely..lol) attorneys understand that as she's now changing her story to say that Sterling had given her blanket permission to record everything he said.

The tape was illegal. The only way it could be legal is if what she says about blanket permission is true. Which is certainly possible, but I'd call it pretty unlikely that a NBA team owning billionaire with a strong grasp of law would fall victim to that.

I get it though. People have determined he's a racist because the media has portrayed him that way without regard for anything else that might shine a different light. Just like Paula Dean. And John Rocker before her. Noone wanted to recognize that Dean's comments were made decades ago weeks after she was assaulted by a black man and maybe that experience had influenced her 20 year old comments. Ignoring the countless good things she's done and her minority friends that stood up for her. Noone wanted to listen to true civil rights leaders and legends like Andy Young and Henry Aaron when they said Rocker wasn't a racist. Didn't matter he had opened his own home to minorities of all types. Didn't matter that a minority teammate drove 10 hours just to be a the press conference standing beside Aaron and Young and firmly behind his friend and teammate. All that mattered was the SI setup job and the media narrative. Just like now, the man is automatically a racist based on a personal argument with a GF that was illegally taped. Ignoring the fact the man was set to receive a Lifetime Achievement award from the NAACP. All you hear is how he's always been a racist. Really? Like I believe the hypocrites in the media wouldn't have crucified him years ago if that were true. And how do you get in line to be a lifetime achievement award winner from the NAACP if you've always been a racist?

 

[Omnis]

OK, you win. I apologize. If I'm not mistaken, the Federal law with wiretapping is as I've described it. California is stupid. I'm taking my ball and going home.

 

[Blitz24]

OK, you win. I apologize. If I'm not mistaken, the Federal law with wiretapping is as I've described it. California is stupid. I'm taking my ball and going home.

What did you do to that horse?