Clippers G Chris Paul said that he has talked to coach Doc Rivers "about the possibility of sitting out" should Donald Sterling remain in control of the franchise at the start of the season, according to Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com. Paul said, "That's something me and Doc are both talking about. Something has to happen, and something needs to happen soon -- sooner rather than later." He added he and teammates Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan are "all definitely going to talk about it." Paul: "It's unacceptable." Goodman noted closing arguments in the court case regarding ownership of the team "are set for Monday, at which point the judge will determine whether to authorize" the $2B sale of the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer or "throw the situation into further confusion" (ESPN.com, 7/24).
SO MUCH FOR THE OFFSEASON: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was profiled Thursday night by ESPN's Hannah Storm, who noted the summer "used to be quiet time in the NBA, but not anymore," with the ongoing Clippers saga making headlines, along with the free agency moves by Cavaliers F LeBron James and Knicks F Carmelo Anthony. Storm said when Sterling's "racially charged remarks to his girlfriend were made public" this spring, Silver "had to quickly contemplate the punishment." But Storm added, "The commissioner's battle with Sterling may continue for a long time. Though Sterling's wife has sold the team to Steve Ballmer for a record $2 billion, the banned former owner's litigation against his wife and the league means this crisis isn't ending any time soon" ("In Focus With Hannah Storm," ESPN, 7/24).
