Lebron James Would Lead Strike Against NBA If It Allows Sterling Family To Control Clippers

[Initech]

“King James” may lead his league into battle – but only if he has to.

National Basketball Players Association Vice President Roger Mason Jr. indicated Wednesday that Miami Heat superstar LeBron James may join his fellow NBA players in a boycott of next year’s season if Donald Sterling remains the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers.

“If it’s not handled by … the start of next season, I don’t see how we’re playing basketball,” Mason said in an interview with Showtime’s Jim Rome. “We have player reps, we’ve got executive committee members … Leaders of the teams, they’re all saying the same thing, ‘If [Sterling] is still in place, we ain’t playing.’”

“I was just in the locker room three or four days ago,” he added. “LeBron and I talked about it. He ain’t playing if Sterling is still an owner.”

James became a prominent critic among players after an audio recording that captured Sterling in a racist rant was released to the public. “There is no room for Donald Sterling in our league,” the two-time NBA champion said in the wake of the controversy.

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/will-lebron-and-the-nba-go-strike-over-sterling

I'm a fan of both the Lakers and the Clippers and I would definitely support the strike. Sterling really screwed the pooch on this one!

[BeyondGeography]

1. Hell yeah

[rufus dog]

2. The sad part is it is good for Sterling

The threat of a walkout just gives him more leverage.

[Initech]

3. He's the new Frank McCourt

Frank McCourt was the owner of the Dodgers - drove the team into the ground, treated his tenants and employees like crap, and used the team for his own personal piggy bank, became villified for it, and sold the team to Magic Johnson where he made like $300 million. I swear it's a ponzi scheme for these white collar criminals.

[rufus dog]

4. Yup

McCourt was sleaze, I think Sterling knows exactly what he is doing, especially by going after Magic. He has a plan and he is executing the plan. Making money isn't really that hard if you have no morals.

Edit to add, the only leverage the NBA has is to fold the team, if that is even possible.

[BeyondGeography]

5. He bought the team for $12.5 million and the Bucks sold not long ago for $550 million

He was already going to make a killing.

[rufus dog]

6. You aren't thinking like a greedy twisted rich man.

It ain't about the value, it is about maximizing what he can get. My guess is that he has a figure of over a billion in his head and he is going to force the NBA to pay.

If that requires him to be a racist prick (easy for him) and to get into a verbal war with Magic then so it goes. I expect him to keep climbing the outrageous ladder until someone responds.

To add, he has run the team like a greedy prick for years, and bled money off the other owners and the backs of players.

[BeyondGeography]

8. And once he sells he's just another slumlord

But I won't pretend to understand the man; neither should you.

[rufus dog]

10. And once he sells for a record amount

He has his face saving event.

I don't want to fully understand him, but I have a very strong understanding of what he and his wife are doing here.

[SoCalMusicLover]

7. Sure He Will

I already heard today that he is backtracking from that supposed statement.

King James may not be a racist like Donald, but he sure as hell values the almighty $$$$$$$$, and there is no way he's going to sit out and give up his salary over some schmuck like Sterling.

There is ZERO chance this will be settled by October, that's only 5 months from now. That gives "King James" a bit of time to figure out reasons why he "changed his mind" and decided to play. He's no dummy, and if you honestly think he meant what he said, I have a bridge to sell you.

[Lurks Often]

9. Under the NBA contract, are the players even allowed to strike

over something like this?

Are the players willing to lose their rather large paychecks over this? If the strike goes on, will it start to affect endorsement deals? Will the players being paid league minimum be willing to strike? What happens when bills start coming due on home(s), expensive cars?

For that matter under the NBA contract can the other owners force Sterling to sell the time? And even if they do have that power, do they want to set the precedent?

I'm cynical that the players will strike, they have far more to lose in an extended strike then the owners do. I just don't see them striking over something a loud mouthed, ignorant racist said.