Donald Sterling Magic Johnson interviews on CNN have added drama to the Clippers and its owner, Donald Sterling's racist debacle.
"Johnson spoke on a range of topics, ranging from calling Sterling "delusional" to saying the team he'd really like to own is the Lakers," Seth Rosenthal reported on sbnation.
The former NBA All star was responding to earlier allegations by Sterling that his HIV status was a threat to children, further alienating blacks who had triumphed over discrimination in America.
Johnson clarified that Donald's mention of his name with his former girlfriend Stiviano because of a photo the pro-basket player had taken with her. However, he said he didn't even know Stiviano.
Johnson also discussed Sterling's remarks about the basket baller as not "someone we want to respect and tell our kids about" because he is HIV positive and "doesn't do anything" "for the black people." Johnson, along with Cooper, defended his reputation as an advocate for people with HIV and AIDS and as a philanthropist. "I've continued to do good work in urban America, and I will always do that."
He also criticized Sterling's desire to own the the Clippers: "He is delusional."
"He can't buy his way out of this one. He's bought his way out of all the other situations. He can't do it this time."
"Donald Sterling is not welcome back in the NBA. The owners, the players, the former players, and the fans don't want to see Donald Sterling as the owner anymore."
"He's in another world if he thinks that everybody wants to see him back owning the Clippers."
Johnson also said that if conditions were right, he would like to buy the Clippers. "If it comes out and it's for sale and my group of partners and I say 'Okay we're going to take a look at it, we're going to buy it,' of course we'll make a run."
Meanwhile, Donald Sterling said he will not pay the NBA fine of $2.5 million and that he is ready to take legal action against the NBA.
In an earlier interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Donald Sterling made attempts to correct his racist remarks, but accidently accused Magic Johnson:
Anderson Cooper Donald Sterling Interview on CNN drew outrage after Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling made several remarks against former NBA All Star Magic Johnson as he tried to apologize for his racist rant last week.
Sterling repeatedly mentioned Magic Johnson's HIV-positive status in the Anderson Cooper Donald Sterling Interview on Monday, citing that NBA Legend was "not a fit role model for children and dismissing his work in business and charity."
The Anderson Cooper Donald Sterling Interview was the first public remark he made after recorded racist comments resulted in a lifetime ban and a cash fine. Incidentally, Johnson was also mentioned in the phone recordings to his assistant. Sterling referred to a photo of Johnson with his former mistress saying, 'You should not bring black people to his games."
In a rhetorical question, Sterling asked "What has he done, big Magic Johnson, what has he done?" And he answered, "He's got AIDS!"
With indignation, Sterling added, "He acts so holy," Sterling was quoted as saying. "He made love to every girl in every city in America, and he had AIDS, and when he had those AIDS, I went to my synagogue and I prayed for him, I hope he could live and be well. I didn't criticize him. I could have. Is he an example for children?"
Meanwhile, Anderson Cooper elaborated on the issue telling Sterling that Johnson was HIV-positive but did not have "full-blown AIDS."?"
"What kind of a guy goes to every city, has sex with every girl, then he catches HIV. Is that someone we want to respect, and tell our kids about?" Sterling said in an Associated Press report. "I think he should be ashamed of himself."
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner who already banned Sterling and ordered a $2.5 million fine against him for his earlier racist remarks, commented again on the second episode of Sterling's tirade: "I just read a transcript of Donald Sterling's interview with Anderson Cooper and while Magic Johnson doesn't need me to, I feel compelled on behalf of the NBA family to apologize to him that he continues to be dragged into this situation and be degraded by such a malicious and personal attack," Silver said. "The NBA Board of Governors is continuing with its process to remove Mr. Sterling as expeditiously as possible," AP reports.
Donald Sterling initially disgraced himself when a phone conversation with his girlfriend was recorded.
The leak of an audio recording purportedly reveals Donald Sterling Los Angeles Clippers boss telling V. Stivianon, Sterling's girlfriend 'not to bring black people to his team's basketball games,' CBC.ca reported.
Following a ban from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Sterling was ordered a hefty fine, and the LA basketball team's boss refused to sell his team; this was one of the conditions stated by Commissioner Silver. Players and affiliates of the league have praised Mr. Silver's decision.
Reports highlighted that after news of the racist rant that mentioned LA Hall of Famer, Magic Johnson, a number of advertisers had abandoned their interest in LA Clippers. Johnson also said that he would not attend any Clippers games, if Sterling was still calling the shots.
Sterling reportedly said on the phone to Stivianon, "It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you're associating with black people. Do you have to?" Apparently, the conversation was a recorded call.
"You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in; you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it on that ... and not to bring them to my games."
