You know, and especially when youre working in a company that when you do your job you have it on your chest. You know . I think that is hard. Like i got to wear a suit and tie the other night. But i had a sense that that was very hard for the players. You know, they had to wear that. I think that was hard for them. I really do. Doc, you said excuse me, you said that you were there film, and then you told them about the decision adam silver had handed down and you said what you needed to say to them. What did you say to them . What did you tell them . Well, that will be private. A lot of it was just how much i admired them in how they tried to handle this. And just to let them know that this was some closure. But there is still work to do. And you know, i just thought that they set a very good example around the league on how they conducted themselves. Doc, you said you expected an amazing crowd tonight. Couple of nights ago you have you gotten enough feedback between now and then . Yeah, maybe im hoping. Too. Maybe that is part of it. Yeah, i think the mayor has been great, by the way and what he said today. Kevin johnson, you know, as jokingly, i like him again. It is amazing, like he has been great. He was great what he said today. I didnt know he could speak so well, so eloquently. And again, i go back to the 14 guys that we address, that are players. They did nothing wrong, and they need support. And i think that that will happen. Doc, would you like to see the clippers name changed . You know, jim, that has been asked. Honestly somebody asked me that today. It is the first time i heard it or thought it. I have no idea. I think whatever happens, whoever if there is a new owner or change of ownership i think all of those things would be the answer will be answered by somebody much smarter than me. Last two questions . I just need some clarification on something you said before. I thought the union said that if they didnt like the resolution from adam silver, players would consider not playing. Did your players consider not playing if they did not like the resolution . They had not discussed it. I think they had trusted that there would be. I am glad we dont have to find out would be the answer. Doc, you said the players made the right decision by just not doing anything. And waiting for silver. Why was that the right decision to not make some kind of major statement or sit out a game before the decision . You know, i dont know, mark, like i said the other day i dont know i know what i think is right and that is all i can go by. There is a lot of people who think we didnt do the right thing. And then there is a lot of people who think we did. And all you can go by is what you feel like you should do. You know, i lean on a lot of things in trying to help our guys get to this decision. Like i told you, they did talk about at first not playing. I thought the black socks and the shirts and all that was fine. But at the end of the day, you know, i just for me at least, i always try to lean back on people that i have learned from. I talk to a lot of people. And my father, who is no longer here, he would have told me to go do my job. And dont let anyone stop you from doing your job because of what they think about you. And good evening, a sigh of relief, that is what l. A. Clip ers owner called the decision to ban him for life. That was what happened after he delivered a swift and decisive punishment to sterling. He said that sterling admits to making racist remarks so he kicked him out of professional basketball. Effective immediately i am banning mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers Organization or the nba. Lets get right to our discussion of Donald Sterlings banishment from the nba. We are joined by a onetime teammate of Magic Johnson, and the judge who is a consultant of the nba. And sits on the advisers of the atlanta falcons. I thought that was an amazing briefing from doc rivers. No notes, no prepared statement. Just delivered it from the heart. Among the things that have been said, he said the offended party is the one that gets called on for a response. He said in this particular case, adam silver responded for everyone. Your reaction . You know, i think adam silver did give a response. He did for every person, past and current players. And those watching in high schools and collegiatewise, this will not be tolerated. Any type of prejudice will not be tolerated in the league under his watch. Judge hatchett, here we are in the middle of the nba playoffs. You heard the coach say this was bigger than basketball. Absolutely. It is bigger than basketball. And the commissioner, i thought, was bold and swift today and did what was necessary. And i hope that the owners will take the next step to do what is necessary on their part. Because the commissioner did all that he could do today. But it is bigger than basketball. And i think that some good things will come out of this. That there will hopefully be some constructive candid conversations that we need to have about healing and not just tolerating people. But understanding people. Because it is our diversity. It is our differences that really make us strong. And we have to embrace that. You know, judge, to your point, doc rivers was also asked if he had the opportunity to address the present team owner, although that may not be the case for long. What would you say to him . And he said im really not sure what i would say specifically, but i would like to change it. I thought that was a wonderful response. And i absolutely think the world of doc rivers. I have always since he played in atlanta a thousand years ago. And he has been absolutely marvelous throughout all of this. But isnt that what we really want . Dont we want people to learn and grow and not get more divided with this conversation but for there to be some change and understanding which i think the coach really hit it when he said that. A. C. , recognizing that the game itself is far less important than the subjects were addressing tonight i nevertheless want to ask you, coach rivers said that emotion drains energy. How in the world does his team go out and play this evening . Well, you know, i think they go out and play thinking that hey, big brother really did step up for us today. We know that actually the league, this league, yeah silver has our back. And so i dont think that could have been said the last game up at golden state because it was all new, all fresh, and yes, they did make a symbolic move with the jerseys, but yes, they still knew who they represented and wanted to say more and do more. What was said out of new york, our leader in basketball, adam silver, stepped up and spoke for those who really couldnt speak at this time. So i think it is a new day, a new beginning for the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. I think it shows i was just going to say that it also shows that the players have power. And they use that power. They were very clear through mayor johnson to say these are the things that we want. This is when we want it. And for the commissioner to address that. So i think that we have to remember that there is obligation on both sides contractually. And if i were representing these guys in the league i would say listen, you cant have a hostile work environment. There has to be a place that were doing what is right for the players. Judge, is it a given that sterling gets out of the way . Is there a likelihood here that he may try to stand his ground and fight . He may well do that. Under the constitution of the nba, he cannot appeal the commissioners decision today. He has a right to respond if the owners decide that they want to have a hearing. And he has a right to present evidence at that time under the constitution. But i will tell you, i dont think it is going to get to that frankly. I think there is going to be so much pressure for him to lead the nba altogether and not have any ownership interest. Because we have sponsors, we have fans and players. Were all watching. A. C. Green, adidas and samsung already announcing tonight theyre coming back to the clippers. Is that premature . I dont think it is premature. I mean, i think they, too, were waiting. And they were making a statement that theyre not going to stand by in silence and not have their voice be heard. And their voice is removing their physical support. Their Financial Support of the clippers. And so i think them coming back now that they have seen the decision, i think it is a smart move. I really do. I dont think it is premature at all. Once again, we have to stand for something. You have to step up and speak when you have an opportunity. And i think the sponsors have an opportunity, and some are making the decisions theyre making. Were seeing the ramifications of that financially. A. C. , let me ask you about your former teammate, Magic Johnson, who gets swept up in this because of the comments. Im not sure if this was not poetic justice, if Magic Johnson was the owner of the l. A. Clippers, what is the likelihood of that . I think it is a strong possibility. I really do. I would love to see that happen. He is a great friend. A great leader in our community. Just a great person from that standpoint. He and cookie, they only want good. They only have been trying to do good in our society as a whole. And even the comments that were even made about him that brought his name into it, it was because he was admired for what he has done in the community and opened up jobs and creating opportunities for people. And he and i share something so much alike in the fact that the message that all of this is really conveying, were worried about what is it saying to our kids . What is it saying to our youth . And so that is why it was so important for a decision to be made. And magic, yes, i would love for him to be the owner of the clippers, im saying it right here. Oh, yes, i actually tweeted that at the very beginning when it started. Talk about poetic justice if he were to lead a group of investors on this. That would just be absolutely fantastic. Your honor, thank you. Did adam silver just rescue the brand . It looks like the clippers may be up for sale if the nba has its way. And next, ill talk to the man who could just be one of the bidders, are you ready to announce your bid . I dont have that kind of clink, but i know where i can get it. [ man 1 ] were now in the approach phase, everything looking good. Velocity 1,200 feet per second. [ man 2 ] youre looking great to us, eagle. 2,000 feet. Still looking very good. 1,400 feet. [ male announcer ] a funny thing happens when you shoot for the moon. Ahh, thats affirmative. [ male announcer ] you get there. Youre a go for landing, over. [ male announcer ] the all new cadillac cts, the 2014 motor trend car of the year. I couldnt lay down it was a i couldnt sit up because it burned so much. As first lady of our church we have meetings. We have activities. And i couldnt do any of that. Any time anything brushed up against this rash it would seem like it would set it on fire again. It was the worst pain i ever had. Will you be a sound sleeper, or a mouth breather . A mouth breather [ whimpers ] how do you sleep like that . Well, put on a breathe right strip and shut your mouth. Allergy medicines open your nose over time, but add a breathe right strip and pow it instantly opens your nose up to 38 more. So you can breathe and do the one thing you want to do sleep. Add breathe right to your allergy medicine. Shut your mouth and sleep right. Breathe right. Add brand new belongings from nationwide insurance. And well replace destroyed or stolen items with brandnew versions. We put members first. Join the nation. Nationwide is on your side the clippers future is uncertain but their present is united. The website reads we are one. It is clear as a message to the league and the world that sports are color blind. Now the next step will be the sale of the team. Adam silver was definitive there was no place in the league for Donald Sterling. As for mr. Sterlings ownership interest in the clippers, i will urge the board of governors to exercise authority to force the sale of the team and will do everything in my power to ensure that that happens. A man who knows the nba inside and out, the former over of the philadelphia 76ers says he knows someone who wants to buy the clippers and joins me now, hey, pat, let me remind everybody of your story. You started out as the team trainer, rose through the ranks. Became a president and coowner. The 76ers were the worst in the league in 1996 and 2001. How much interaction did you have with Donald Sterling . Michael, every board of governors meeting, we had about three or four. So about 12, as well as any other events like allstar weekends or olympic events. So it was a very casual. Not that we ran in the same circles, as a matter of fact my wife and i kind of joked he was like the guy in gilligans island, one of those super rich kind of spacey guys in his own world. Maybe that is why some of the despicable comments he makes, he doesnt know who they effect. It sounds like he was an outlyer, but there was no sign that any of this was coming . No, i didnt know of any of his racist comments in the past. What do you make of the punishment meted out by adam silver. No you know, i think it was fabulous, to levy a fine, okay, on a billionaire that is like me fining you five bucks. A lifetime ban on the sport, the nba basketball sport that you own, part of for the past what . Three decades . That is saying something. But more importantly, i was shocked to see adam with such force and conviction, and the whole hammer down to that podium that he was going to urge the ownership to make donald sell his team. His beloved clippers, he was going to make him sell it. I was shocked and loved it. I stood up. Hey, pat, it occurred to me, you got all the experience and expertise, silver was out in front of the owners in this regard. It doesnt sound like he polled them or worked that room. He went out and made a definitive announcement and now it will be on them to kind of tow the line. It would be hard for any of those owners not to go along with this. Dont you think . Michael, i think youre so right. I think he might have had a couple of the owners just to get their feelings of the pulse. But commissioner silver, he is a friend of mine. Now he is commissioner silver, has that same oh, conviction to make sure the nba stays first and foremost in the pro ranks. And there is no room in his room for prejudice, for racism. I think it is fabulous. So he did, like his predecessor, david stern, he put that hammer down and youre right all the other owners are going to have to follow lead. Tell me, youre going to go into a meeting 29 other owners besides the donald and you will vote yes or no . You have to vote. Make them sell. Otherwise you appear racist. I said at the outset. Pat crochy knows somebody. I was going to say my suspicion is that it is you. Are you in for this . I would love to owner the clippers, are you kidding me . After the philadelphia sixers, i would love to have the clippers. They are on the upswing. They have a great coach in doc rivers. But what would be real karma . Magic johnson on the team. Ill do it with him. How does a transaction like this get put together and who needs to improve it . Well, that is a great question. Normally you would man on man, man on woman, shake hands, you have a deal. You follow the deal points and shake hands like any or transaction. And it is normally based on relationships, right . But then that deal has to go to the board of governors and that is the nba. And then they give you thumbs up or down. Do you have the financial wherewithal, do you have the temperament to continue to make the franchise, the league grow and be supreme . But this is a little different. If he is forced to sell, i dont know how that works. I can only imagine that that is a roomful theyre all successful business people. And i can only imagine there is a roomful of very strong personalities. As a general lot do they get along, those owners . Yes, michael, they do get along. They do get along, yes, the mark cubans might be outspoken and some of the others, but no, they all get along. That is what is beautiful about the commissioner, the commissioner can help to moderate personalities to get together in some consensus. That is why the league is so successful. I mean, you see every team does well within the nba and all the owners feel a camaraderie. That is what is so amazing, that commissioner silver was going to get the owners to oust one of them. That is unheard of. Hey, pat, it appears we recently celebrated the anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in sports. It seems that sports can bring about necessary change in a way that sports are ahead of society. Well said, michael. But what is scary about it is that there are still individuals who have this tainted mindset. This damaged heart where prejudice still resides. And you can see it. As president obama said, it is here. Ignorance is showing itself. But as you are seeing right now with the nba and commissioner silvers sanctions it is not going to be accepted. And i love it. And hopefully others will follow suit, even in small towns and households that it is not right. I know that you continue, even though youre no longer in the ownership or management of the sixers and nba, i know you continue to be a fan. You go to games, i go to games. One of the great things about going to the nba games is the diversity you get in the audience. Frankly i think unlike some other major sports hockey comes to mind. If you go and watch a 76ers game in philly or a clippers game in l. A. , it is a very black and white represented demographicic kind of a crowd. Michael, i agree. That was one of the primes of my life, passions when i ran the 76ers, is because black, white, young, old, male, female. It didnt matter. We all hugged together and celebrated together. We all got bummed out together when we lost, but when we won, it was just one big happy family. I do believe sports bring people together, i hope this issue, the unity that the clippers are showing, i hope that momentum and unity spreads. Donald sterling, what you know from what you read recently and heard on the tape do you think he goes along with this . Does he go quietly into that night . No, i dont think so, and i would hope and i would pray and i would urge donald to admit his mistake. To admit his hurt. To recognize, to be remorseful and apologize and step up out of the owners suite on his own volition, to say it would be better for the team and league and the nba if i stepped aside. Then at least we could have respect for him. You ready to announce your bid tonight before you leave us . How much. No, listen, i dont have that kind of clink, but i know where i can get it. Matt croce, dont look at me when you say that. And could she be in more trouble than the man who made her famous . Plus, have investigators been looking for the plane in all the wrong places . One private Company Thinks that mh370 could be found in an entirely different part of the world. Really. So our business can be on at ts net