Letters: Readers weigh in on Donald Sterling

Not that it’s fair to put Mike D’Antoni and Donald Sterling in the same sentence, as Mr. D’Antoni doesn’t deserve to be insulted, but we can clearly see the similarities in the two of them as they leave Staples Center. Neither one of them has a useful defense.

Mel Powell

Sherman Oaks

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A lifetime ban. A $2.5-million-dollar fine. Invoking total embarrassment upon himself amid his past actions. Despite Donald Sterling’s poisonous mentality and beliefs, even these powerful sanctions probably will not change his unethical attitude.

But in the grand scheme of things, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s pendulum of justice swung in the right direction, making society as a whole — not just the sports world — sit up and take notice on constructing a template of fairness for all people in the workplace.

Mark J. Featherstone

Windsor Hills

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Only Donald Sterling could come up with a way to make Jim Buss look better to L.A. fans.

Desmond Nakano

Los Angeles

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Leave it to Donald Sterling to demonstrate the obvious — there are endless ways to destroy a team.

Paul Brown

Newport Beach

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Apparently, it’s a lot easier to be named “Humanitarian of the Year” than I thought.

Evan Puziss

Mar Vista

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You can be sure that any Clippers player caught making an anti-Semitic rant would be jettisoned from the organization, in short order. Let’s hope that Donald Sterling will hold himself to the same standard.

Michael Miyamoto

Mission Viejo

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I know this is going to be contrary to what the vast majority of people are saying, but here is what the NBA should do to Donald Sterling. Nothing. Last I checked, in this country we all have the inalienable right to be jerks and morons. Even racist jerks and morons. The airways are filled with these nut jobs. In America we all get to vote, every single day, with our wallets.

If you don’t agree with Sterling — and who could? — the answer is simple. Don’t buy his product. Don’t watch his games. Don’t go see his games. Boycott his sponsors. Let his staff and roster refuse to work for him. That is what is supposed to happen. You don’t like his views? You don’t have to support him. But asking the league to step in and fine, sanction or oust him goes against what our free-market, free-speech system is all about. The same people that complain about the government overstepping its bounds now want the NBA to do just that.

Which will make a more resounding statement? Watching Commissioner Silver publicly spank him, or 16,000 empty seats and an entire team demanding to be released from their contracts at the end of the season?

Jeff Heister

Chatsworth

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Donald Sterling’s rant is the new definition of irony. It was directed to his girlfriend — who happens to be black and Latina! Sterling should be forced to watch “12 Years a Slave” on a 24-hour continuous loop, a la Malcolm McDowell in “A Clockwork Orange.”

Mark S. Roth

Los Angeles

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The recent meltdown and dysfunctional environment that has become the Lakers and Clippers provides an opportunity for a potential new and younger buyer(s) to attain the best discounted opportunity ever in Los Angeles professional basketball.

The new marketing program for these two franchises?

Buy one, get the second franchise at 50% off.

Mario Palladini

Torrance

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Just read an article online from the Las Vegas Sun that said MGM Resorts International is in development to build a new, 20,000-seat arena, which could be completed by 2016, even though they have no commitment from a pro sports team as a tenant. Hmm. I wonder if there is an NBA team that will soon be up for sale?

Richard Turnage

Burbank

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Phil Jackson’s understandable decision to take the position with the Knicks could not have been worse timing. With the Clippers’ ownership all but certain to change hands in the immediate future, Phil could have had it all. What potential ownership team wouldn’t have jumped at the opportunity to attach Phil as a solidifying force in any front office and controlling position he desired?

Jerry Leibowitz

Culver City

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As a San Diego native, I watched how Donald Sterling brought the Clippers to our city. Then I watched him turn his back on us and move the team (without NBA consent) to Los Angeles. And now, rightly so, Los Angeles has turned its back on him. Where next Mr. Sterling, Apartheid Island?

Lance A. Schmidt

San Diego

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In light of recent events, does the yearly “White Party” at Donald Sterling’s Malibu estate take on a whole new meaning?

Patricia Thomson

Cheviot Hills

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Perhaps the Los Angeles Chapter of the NAACP should consider honoring Adam Silver as Man of the Year.

Ron Yukelson

San Luis Obispo

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I understand I may be in the minority here in Los Angeles, but Magic Johnson needs to just shut up sometimes. He has been all over the Internet with his outrage at Donald Sterling and his racist comments, and this is very understandable as Magic himself was personally involved. But for him to tweet out his joy of Mike D’Antoni leaving the Lakers’ head coaching job is just plain ill-mannered and disrespectful to a man, who by all accounts, is a good person and family man.

Jack Nelson

Los Angeles

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I always considered Magic Johnson a champion until I read his tweet about Mike D’Antoni’s firing, “Happy days are here again!” A real champion doesn’t kick a person when they’re down. Need I remind Magic, his Laker coaching record was 5-11, and his team ended the season on a 10-game losing streak.

Edward Jimenez

Whittier

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When Donald Sterling sells the Clippers we better make sure he doesn’t own the Staples parking lot. Just a thought.

Pat Baraz

Manhattan Beach

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Jim Buss should sell the Lakers to a Magic Johnson-led investment group, and then Buss could buy the Clippers. Everyone in L.A. would be happy and the teams can get back to their true potential and qualities.

Edward Saade

Poway

Blue funk

There is a big electronic sign telling us about quick parking on Scott Road to get to Dodger Stadium. Only problem is, the sign blocks the right lane and creates an even bigger traffic jam with cars trying to go around it. Who thought that up?

Susan Schless

Northridge

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That Time Warner Cable Lakers station is boring and the Lakers unwatchable. I hope that doesn’t happen to the Dodgers.

Caren Ryan

Glendora

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The idea of banning Magic Johnson from Instagram photos simply because of the color of his skin is beyond the pale and defines racism. It is simply unfair and un-American.

However, you can make a proper case for banning Magic Johnson and the rest of the Dodgers owners for being part of the organization that is now holding the city of Los Angeles hostage due to its $8-billion television deal.

Michael Maracci

Torrance

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The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.

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