Union: NBA players considered boycott before ban
Sacramento, Calif., Mayor Kevin Johnson, center, and Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar embrace during a news conference outside City Hall in Los Angeles Tuesday, April 29, 2014, after Johnson's comments on the decision by NBA commissioner Adam Silver to ban Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling from basketball for life in response to racist comments the league says Sterling made in a recorded conversation. Former NBA player Luke Walton applauds at rear right rear. (AP Photo)
LOS ANGELES >> NBA players strongly considered boycotting playoff games if Commissioner Adam Silver hadn’t ruled harshly against Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling.
Players’ union Vice President Roger Mason Jr. says he spoke to representatives from every playoff team about the possibility of boycotting games in solidarity against any ruling that didn’t include a mandate for Sterling to sell the Clippers.
The Clippers host the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night, but both teams were on board with a boycott.
Mason says the players are very happy with Silver’s decision to ban Sterling for life while urging the NBA’s board of governors to compel Sterling to sell the Clippers.
Mason also is confident the other NBA owners will vote to force Sterling to sell.
