Category: Los Angeles Clippers Blog

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V. Stiviano finally speaks, and offers some defense for Donald Sterling

Here’s NJ.com with a report on the woman that “hung out” with Donald Sterling, and was the recipient of his discriminatory demands:

V. Stiviano has finally spoken, and what she said probably wasn’t what anyone expected:

V. Stiviano, the woman at the center of the NBA scandal, said she did not leak the audio of racist remarks that probably will cost Donald Sterling ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers, and she hoped Sterling would apologize publicly for his hurtful comments.

She also said she does not believe he is a racist.

“I think he’s highly more traumatized and hurt by the things that he said himself,” she told Barbara Walters of ABC News on Friday. “I think he can’t even believe or understand sometimes the thing he says, and I think he’s hurt by it. He’s hurting right now.”

She added: “I think Mr. Sterling is from a different generation than I am. I think he was brought up to believe these things … segregation, whites and blacks. But through his actions he’s shown that he’s not a racist. He’s shown to be a very generous and kind man.”

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And, this is from CNN.com: Despite their numerous conversations, she does not consider him a racist. “No, I don’t believe that in my heart,” she said. ” I think the things he says are not what he feels. Anyone can say anything in the heat of the moment. “I think he comes from a different generation … he was brought up to believe these things … segregation, whites and blacks. But through his actions, he’s shown that he’s not a racist. He’s shown to be a very generous and kind man.” She said he slammed her pictures on social media because of pressure from naysayers who criticized her and questioned why she’s always around him.

Jermaine O`Neal has bone bruise in knee, questionable for Game 7

Jermaine O'Neal

Golden State Warriors center Jermaine O’Neal underwent an MRI earlier today that revealed a bone bruise of his right knee cap. He is listed as questionable for tomorrow night’s Game 7 of the team’s First Round series versus the Los Angeles Clippers.

O’Neal suffered the injury at the 9:39 mark of the 2nd quarter of last night’s 100-99 Game 6 victory when Clippers forward Glen Davis crashed into him.

President of NAACP L.A. chapter resigns over Donald Sterling honor

The president of the Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP resigned Thursday, following scrutiny of his plan to give Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling an award for promoting civil rights.

Leon Jenkins was to present Sterling with a “lifetime achievement award” later this month. Jenkins rescinded that offer Monday after a recording surfaced over the weekend on which Sterling disparaged black men.

In a letter to the national leader of the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, Jenkins wrote, “In order to separate the Los Angeles NAACP and the NAACP from the negative exposure I have caused the NAACP, I respectfully resign my position as President of the Los Angeles NAACP.”

— Associated Press

Stars lining up as potential buyers of Clippers

If Donald Sterling is compelled to sell the Los Angeles Clippers, the list of potential buyers has more stars than their roster.

Oprah Winfrey is contemplating a bid. Sean Combs is a Knicks fan, but he wants in.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. wants the whole team. Matt Damon wants a tiny piece.

Billionaires, entertainers and athletes alike announced their intentions to pursue the Clippers with varying degrees of seriousness Wednesday, proving the longtime losers will be quite a prize if the NBA is able to wrest control of the team away from Sterling after his lifetime ban for racist remarks.

Winfrey led the list, and the media mogul is already bringing in her friends.

“Oprah Winfrey is in discussions with David Geffen and Larry Ellison to make a bid for the Los Angeles Clippers should the team become available,” spokesperson Nicole Nichols confirmed in an email.

— Associated Press

Warriors go small, beat Clippers in Game 4

Here’s the San Francisco Chronicle Blog reporting on the Golden State Warriors, who took care of business and tied their first-round playoff series with the Los Angeles Clippers Sunday:

For the first time in their best-of-seven, first-round series against the Clippers, the Warriors started a small lineup in Game 4 at Oracle Arena – a move that allowed them to play quicker and with more assertiveness, freed Stephen Curry for offensive openings and tied the series with a with a resounding 118-97 victory.

With the series knotted 2-2 and shifting back to Los Angeles for Tuesday’s Game 5, the Clippers are suddenly the team pressing to make adjustments – a marked change from two days ago, when they appeared to have all of the answers and all of the momentum.

Draymond Green got his second career postseason start and his first this season – bumping David Lee to center and moving Jermaine O’Neal to the bench – and helped the Warriors grab a lead that the held for the game’s final 45 minutes, 54 seconds.

Using mostly a smallball lineup throughout the game, the Warriors’ offense showcased harmonious ball movement to create space for Curry’s game-changing shooting stroke and produced team-wide 55.4 percent shooting and 32 assists on 41 made field goals.

Clippers issue statement on alleged Donald Sterling TMZ audio recording

Andy Roeser, president of the Los Angeles Clippers, today issued the following statement in response to audio recordings recently released by TMZ that contain some racist statements allegedly made by team owner Donald Sterling:

“We have heard the tape on TMZ. We do not know if it is legitimate or it has been altered. We do know that the woman on the tape — who we believe released it to TMZ — is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by the Sterling family alleging that she embezzled more than $1.8 million, who told Mr. Sterling that she would “get even.” Mr. Sterling is emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with, nor does it reflect his views, beliefs or feelings. It is the antithesis of who he is, what he believes and how he has lived his life. He feels terrible that such sentiments are being attributed to him and apologizes to anyone who might have been hurt by them. He is also upset and apologizes for sentiments attributed to him about Earvin Johnson. He has long considered Magic a friend and has only the utmost respect and admiration for him–both in terms of who he is and what he has achieved. We are investigating this matter.”

Chris Paul limited by hamstring, but plans to play

Here’s ESPN Los Angeles reporting on the Clippers, who yesterday enjoyed a huge Game 2 blowout win over the Warriors that tied their first round series at one win each:

Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul will be limited in practice over the next two days by an injured right hamstring heading into Thursday’s Game 3 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors.

“He won’t do much,” coach Doc Rivers said Tuesday. “He may do a little tomorrow but nothing today. We’re not doing anything today anyway, but I don’t need him doing anything.”

Paul injured his right hamstring late in the first half of the Clippers’ 109-105 Game 1 loss on Saturday and received round-the-clock treatment heading into Game 2, when he played 27 minutes and had 12 points and 10 assists in a 138-98 blowout of the Warriors.

Blake Griffin, JJ Redick out tonight for Clippers

Here’s ESPN Los Angeles with an update on the Clippers. Tonight is the final night of the 2013-14 NBA regular season:

Blake Griffin, JJ Redick out tonight for Clippers

Clippers forward Blake Griffin and guard J.J. Redick will not travel with the team for its final regular-season game Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Clippers coach Doc Rivers already had planned on resting Redick, but the decision to give Griffin the night off was essentially taken out of his hands Tuesday night when Griffin picked up his 16th technical foul in the first half against the Denver Nuggets, drawing a league-mandated one-game suspension.

“The worst case is he’s suspended one game, I’m not going to bring him anyway,” Rivers said. “They’ll probably rescind that. I’d be surprised but you never know. I want Blake to stay home and get some rest. He’s so banged up.”

Clippers vs Nuggets preseason game scheduled for Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas October 18

Los Angeles Clippers today announced the team will play against the Denver Nuggets at the Mandalay Bay Events Center inside the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. PT as part of its 2014 preseason schedule. This marks the third straight year for the Clippers to play a preseason game in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay.

Tickets will be available exclusively for Clippers season ticket-holders and other select groups from Friday, April 11 – Sunday, April 13, and individual tickets for the game will go on sale to the general public on Monday, April 14 at 10:00 AM PT and can be purchased through Ticketmaster and the Mandalay Bay Box Office.

The Mandalay Bay Events Center is a multi-purpose arena home to World Championship Boxing, premier concerts and special events. Its seating capacity holds up to 12,000 people.