Clipperholics
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5 Biggest Clipper Moments of the Decade

By Bo Allen

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 1: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers stands at center court during the game against the Washington Wizards on December 1, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 1: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers stands at center court during the game against the Washington Wizards on December 1, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 29: Los Angeles Clippers hold up signs referencing the Donald Sterling situation before the game with the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 29: Los Angeles Clippers hold up signs referencing the Donald Sterling situation before the game with the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

Number Two: Donald Sterling’s ousting

Donald Sterling bought the San Diego Clippers in 1981. He didn’t do it because he loved the team, loved the sport, or anything about basketball. He bought the team as an accessory. He was jealous of Jerry Buss and what he had in Los Angeles with the Lakers. In the ultimate jealousy move he moved the Clippers to LA and even the same building as the Lakers. In his tenure as owner he basically refused to spend money on the team, he didn’t even understand why he had to buy socks and medical tape for the players. His tenure as owner was directly detrimental to the team. He was one of the first people to suggest tanking for a better draft pick, but he did it to avoid paying a top level player.

In 2014 Sterling’s mistress, V. Stiviano released recorded tapes of their phone calls to one another. There were many tapes where he was openly racist. He particularly focused on how V. Stiviano would hang out and post pictures with black people. This was obviously problematic. Not only is it a disgusting and antiquated view, but also because he is a part of a league and franchise with black players. This all broke during the team’s playoff series against the Golden State Warriors. Understandably distracted, the team lost Game 4 against the Warriors.

Adam Silver moved swiftly and handed down a lifetime ban to the much-reviled owner. He was banned from all NBA stadiums, facilities, and events, and stripped of ownership of his team. His wife Sherry Sterling was authorized to sell the team, which she did. She sold it to Steve Ballmer for the total price of $2 billion dollars.

This sale is what ushered in the new bright era for the Clippers. They went from the having the worst owner in the league to arguably the best and most energetic. Ballmer brought a new winning attitude and excitement to the team that the franchise was desperate for. It could be argued that without the Sterling scandal, the team would not be in the fantastic position it is in.