Donald Sterling scandal: Players, owners tweet support for Adam Silver

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announces the league's punishment against Clippers owner Donald Sterling in New York on Tuesday.

By Chuck Schilken

April 29, 2014 12:49 PM PT

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acted swiftly in punishing Clippers owner Donald Sterling for his purported comments about blacks, and folks around the NBA were almost just as quick in supporting their new boss on social media.

Commissioner Silver thank you for protecting our beautiful and powerful league!! Great leader!! #BiggerThanBasketball #StriveForGreatness— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 29, 2014

Commissioner Silver....STRONG...way to take charge and protect our great league.— THREE (@DwyaneWade) April 29, 2014

A recording made public over the weekend had a man purported to be Sterling making controversial comments about blacks. At a news conference Tuesday morning, Silver said an NBA investigation determined Sterling was the man speaking on the recording.

Silver announced Sterling was banned for life from any NBA-related activities and fined $2.5 million.

Commissioner of the @NBA just showed us how he drops the hammer on ignorance. #lifetimeban for Donald Sterling. The ultimate #gonefishing— Jason Collins (@jasoncollins34) April 29, 2014

‘Standing ovation’ for Commissioner Silver. Big time decision standing up for the league and it’s players. Now, Gotta see it through— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) April 29, 2014

Watching Adam Silver’s Press Conference! Appreciate you man! #LAfamilia #greatjob #support— Jodie Meeks (@Jmeeks20) April 29, 2014

The commissioner also said he will urge the rest of the NBA owners to force out Sterling as an owner. Several owners -- including Dallas’ Mark Cuban, Cleveland’s Dan Gilbert, Miami’s Micky Arison and Portland’s Paul Allen -- already appear to be in sync with the commissioner.

I agree 100% with Commissioner Silvers findings and the actions taken against Donald Sterling— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) April 29, 2014

Commissioner Silver has made the right moves in response to this unfortunate absurd spectacle. #ZeroTolerance— Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) April 29, 2014

Great job Adam.The @NBA is in good hands. You have my full support.— Micky Arison (@MickyArison) April 29, 2014

I completely support NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s decisive action on the Sterling issue. Great leadership and the league is in good hands.— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) April 29, 2014

Former Lakers great Magic Johnson, who said after the scandal unfolded that he would never attend a Clippers game again, seems to be pleased with the day’s events.