Donald Sterling Truths

Forever disgraced.

Things that are true:

1.  Donald Sterling is a despicable, loathsome racist, and the owners will be doing the right thing for the the NBA when they vote to strip him of his team ownership.  

2.  Everyone in the NBA knew Sterling was at the very least an alleged racist, before he got caught on tape.  All the players who have chosen to sign with the team knew of Sterling's views and actions.  From the lawsuit brought by Elgin Baylor, to the DOJ suit in 2006 and again in 2009 for refusing to rent apartments to black and Latino families, this was not out of the ordinary.

3.  Donald Sterling has already won a lifetime achievement award from the NAACP.  He was going to be awarded with a second one had it not been for this.  The NAACP knew of his discretions but didn't care, because he kept donating.  Just like the players.  

4.  His girlfriend was a money-grubbing seductress, as well as half-black, and yet she maintained their relationship despite his horrific racism.  The estranged wife of Donald Sterling is suing her for two million dollars, which was allegedly community property between the Sterlings, and given to Ms. Stiviano by Donald Sterling without his wife's consent.   

5.  Ms. Stiviano recorded and released the tapes; why, who knows?  There was no good reason for doing so.  She sounds as though she is feeding him questions just to use to blackmail him.  Certainly the lawsuit hanging overhead couldn't have had anything to do with it...

6.  Commissioner Silver's decision, while garnering popular acclaim, could raise questions in the future.  If someone can be removed from the league and fined 2.5 million dollars for his (horribly racist) thoughts expressed in a private conversation, where is the line?  If a player is caught on a microphone expressing hatred of gays or Muslims or Jews or any other group of people, will he be similarly dealt with by the NBA?  If not, what does that say about the league?  Why would owners be held to a higher standard than players?  Why should we expect more from one group of super-rich people than another?  

7.  Good riddance.