Filmmaker and NBA Radio personality Spike Lee had a front row seat for the press conference at which embattled Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned from the NBA for life. Lee has long had an association with the league and some of its most famous players.
This is the press awaiting the @NBA commissioner . Spike Lee in front row for #Sterling announcement. @wkyc pic.twitter.com/VxR4RVKaZq
— Chris Tye (@TVTye) April 29, 2014
Spike was pretty happy about the news.
https://twitter.com/SpikeLee/status/461220295521865728
Radio host Larry Elder sardonically wondered if the NBA will ban Lee for racist sentiments he has expressed publicly in the past.
Will NBA ban Spike Lee because said he dislikes interracial couples. Said when he sees them, they get "visual daggers." Investigation?
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) April 29, 2014
If Sterling is unfit to own a team now that he’s expressed racial animosity, what about Spike Lee? A courtside fixture at Knicks games, Lee once said he dislikes interracial couples: “I give interracial couples a look. Daggers. They get uncomfortable when they see me on the street.” Should the NBA investigate the suitability of an expressed hater of interracial couples to have such a prominent perch at the Garden? Spike Lee hates interracial relationships. Donald Sterling hates being in one. Soul brothers! Bet Spike could score some courtside seats.
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Spike Lee Unloads On Sterling: Has ‘Mentality of a Slave Master' –Sermon from bigot who hates interracial couples?! http://t.co/gpUBz7uXSl
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) April 30, 2014
Granted, the taped comments by Sterling were probably just the final straw in a pattern of behavior. However, if the NBA banned Sterling using the recording as the sole justification, it raises the question, “How racist is too racist for the NBA?”
Related:
‘THERE WILL ALWAYS BE IDIOTS’: Fired up Larry Elder offers his take on Donald Sterling story
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