NBPA First VP Roger Mason Jr. yesterday said that players "seriously considered boycotting playoff games" if NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had "not moved decisively" against Clippers Owner Donald Sterling, according to Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com. Mason during the union's press conference following Silver announcing a lifetime ban from the NBA for Sterling said he spoke with Warriors F Jermaine O’Neal, who “pretty much said their team would be on board” with not playing Game 5 at Staples Center (NBA.com, 4/29). NBA.com's David Aldridge cited a source as saying that the NBPA was "attempting to get all players to commit to boycotting" Tuesday’s Wizards-Bulls, Grizzlies-Thunder and Warriors-Clippers games. Whether it "would have succeeded remains up in the air, but it’s a moot point now" (NBA.com, 4/29). Aldridge: "The union's desire was to make a unanimous and unified statement" (TNT, 4/29). Clippers coach Doc Rivers and Warriors coach Mark Jackson acknowledged that their players "might have boycotted" last night's game. Rivers: "They were waiting for a decision and that clearly could have happened." Jackson: "It was a real discussion among the players" (L.A. TIMES, 4/30). ESPN's Pablo Torre noted Silver's announcement did what the players wanted, which was to "take pressure off of them from having to do much more" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 4/29).
WALKING OFF THE COURT: In Oakland, Marcus Thompson II reports the plan was to "go through the pre-game festivities Tuesday night, then take the floor for the opening tip." But Warriors G Stephen Curry said that as soon as the jump ball was tossed, his team "was going to walk off the floor in protest." Curry: "We would deal with the consequences later but we were not going to play" (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 4/30). He added, "It was kind of a wait-and-see situation. We wanted to know exactly what kind of sanctions (Silver) was going to hand down. We had our opinions on what they should be and kind of a level of acceptability." Curry: "The way the conversations were going on early in the day, I'm pretty sure that might have happened had Adam not done such a great job of speaking for the league and making a stand. He definitely did a great job of putting the hammer down strongly for his first ruling as commissioner" (USA TODAY, 4/30). ESPN's Keith Olbermann said of the potential boycott, "There's 'not going to play,' and then there's that" ("Olbermann," ESPN2, 4/29). An NBA official said it "could have been ugly," but there was "no way the players would have settled for anything less" than the lifetime ban Sterling received (SI.com, 4/30).
COMING TOGETHER AS ONE: In L.A., Nathan Fenno noted Silver's news conference "appeared to mark a turning point in the often-contentious relationship between the NBA and union." Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, who is serving as a special assistant to the NBPA, described Silver as the "players' commissioner." Johnson praised Silver's "swift action" against what he called a "rotten apple" and "cancer" (LATIMES.com, 4/29). NBPA President and Clippers G Chris Paul said, "My teammates and I are in agreement with [Silver's] decision. We appreciate the strong leadership from Commissioner Silver and he has our full support" (LATIMES.com, 4/29). In DC, Sally Jenkins writes it was "striking that Silver's announcement was immediately so hailed by players." Perhaps more important was Silver's "acknowledgment of players as important partners who help 'make' the game" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/30). Mason said, "We're happy with the decision but we're not content yet. We want immediate action. We want a timetable from the owners as far as when this vote is going to happen." He added, "I would be shocked if it wasn't unanimous. I think it's going to be unanimous" (ESPNLA.com, 4/29).
JOHNSON ROSE TO THE OCCASION: Johnson said that he spoke with Silver "more than a dozen times since Saturday," trying to convince the commissioner that Sterling "had to be dealt with swiftly and severely." Johnson: "This was personal. This was so personal for me. ... Sports are pivotal in allowing a country to talk about real issues and civil rights -- sports transcend. This was truly bigger than basketball. It feels like the most important thing I've done since I've been mayor" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 4/30). Johnson this morning said, "Our players felt an obligation to make sure they spoke out, not just for athletes but for anybody in society who's discriminated against." Johnson: "This was a defining moment, and I feel like we as an NBA family, we defined that moment the way it should have been defined" ("CBS This Morning," 4/30). In Sacramento, Marcos Breton writes, "As is his custom, KJ excelled in the public eye" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 4/30).
