The Lede
Later last night during the NBA playoffs, reports came out that embattled Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been dealing with prostate cancer for an extended period of time. And now some of those on the team are giving their "thoughts and prayers" to him.
Um, what?
We all deserve to say what we feel. However, some things shouldn't be said -- case and point, everything Donald Sterling said -- but those awful, disastrous feelings he has was made in his own home. That was in a private home where we all have said things that aren't fit for the public to hear.
I'm not saying we say crap to that level, or at least in a serious matter that he was. But now that it's public knowledge, that's just the way it goes. Smarter people wouldn't have put themselves in that position or even have those thoughts of being an owner is equivalent to the days when white men owned black slaves -- like Sterling believed.
But having to sugarcoat a statement to wish Sterling the best? I'm sorry, but Blake Griffin isn't giving his "thoughts and prayers" to Sterling. Prostate cancer is a terrible thing and everyone should hope that he gets better from it. Leave it at that.
Acknowledge Sterling's cancer, hope that he fights it, and move on. Don't give him well wishes, because we know damn well you don't mean that. After the comments were released on Saturday, you turned your shirts inside-out and looked away from the franchise's name. Players were thinking about boycotting the game.
Say what you want, but just be smart about it. Because most people can sense what BS is, and that's anyone one this Clippers that's giving well wishes to their racist owner that's on the clock.
Other Headlines
- NBA: Playoff recap. All three games ended with the road team forcing Game 7 on Saturday night. The marathon begins at 4:30 PM Central time and all games are on TNT. That's a bummer, ESPN.
- NBA: Roy Hibbert's non-existent again, but it doesn't burn the Pacers. He had zero points and four fouls last night. So when is this guy finally going to get right?
- NHL: Canadiens win in double-OT against the Bruins. The first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs' second round went into multiple overtimes, because hockey.
- NFL: Mike Holmgren believes Johnny Manziel's a long shot to be a starting quarterback. Ditto.
- MLB: Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie launches a ball in the upper deck. He felt some fans deserved it. Asked if he's worried about repercussions? He's more worried about the home runs he's given up. Players like this would make it easy to have a beer with.
- MLB: Bar owner wins $1.5 million after New Jersey didn't let him open up "Buck Foston" bar. He won because the city's defense wasn't at all the real reason why they wouldn't let Lawrence Blatterfein open the bar.
- NFL: 49ers mull over picking up the option on Aldon Smith, decision must come today. Reports say they are going to do it. Regardless of whether or not he does get picked up, he needs to prove he can make it through a season without getting in trouble. I'll take the under.
Today's Slate
(A.K.A. Games that I'm keeping track of) - Central times listed.
STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS - ROUND 2
Rangers at Penguins (Game 1) - 6:00 NBCS
Wild at Blackhawks (Game 1) - 8:30 NBCS
NBA PLAYOFFS - ROUND 1
Raptors at Nets (TOR 3-2) - 6:00 ESPN2
Spurs at Mavericks (SA 3-2) - 7:00 ESPN
Rockets at Blazers (POR 3-2) - 9:30 ESPN
MLB
Dodgers at Marlins - 6:10 SNLA/FSFL
-Giants at Braves - 6:35 CBA/FSS
Mets at Rockies - 7:40 SNY/RSRM
D'backs at Padres - 9:10 FSAZ/FSSD
LAX
IVY: Penn vs Cornell (Semi 1) - 4:00 ESPN3
MLL: Cannons at Rattlers - 6:30 ESPN3
IVY: Yale vs Harvard (Semi 2) - 7:00 ESPN3
CBB
-Texas at W Virginia - 6:00
Texas Tech at Kansas - 6:00 ESPN3
Kansas St at TCU - 6:30 FSSW
