Clip and Save This: a Defense of Sterling

Certainly, the Clippers have had a mostly dismal record, but what your columnists and Sports Illustrated neglected to mention was how much the franchise has meant to Los Angeles.

Donald Sterling kept the Clippers in the central city after the Lakers left for Inglewood. The move did enormous damage to a whole community’s economy, just as their playing in Staples Center will harm Inglewood.

Sterling needs to create some stability, he needs to find some veteran marquee players to provide experience and leadership and he needs to keep a coach in place who has his confidence and who can lead this generation of players. But he also should be commended for his loyalty to his management and for making Elgin Baylor one of the first African American front-office executives in the NBA.

RUDY COLE

Beverly Hills