THE TRUE IMPLICATIONS OF DONALD STERLING'S COMMENTS

Though it has been a great week of Playoff basketball, the play on the court has been overshadowed by comments made by Los Angeles Clippers Owner, Donald Sterling. Yes, Sterling's comments were racist and unacceptable, and he should be expelled from the NBA for his years of incompetence and indifference as an Owner. But, what most fail to see are the true implications of Sterling's comments.

The Los Angeles Clippers have had a history of failure up until recently. In the 2009 NBA Draft they drafted Blake Griffin 1st overall, and they were able to add Chris Paul via trade in December of 2011. The Clippers have had a talented roster these past few years, but they were never contenders. This past year they appeared to reach new heights. Blake Griffin finally took advantage of his supreme athleticism and became a bonafide superstar. DeAndre Jordan led the league in Rebounds, and the Clippers won a franchise best 57 games. Yet, the Clippers had yet to take that next step in the Playoffs, where it mattered most.

Last year, the Clippers led the Memphis Grizzlies 2-0 in the 1st round of the Playoffs, before falling in 4 straight games and losing the series. They were outplayed, out-hustled, and frankly beaten by the "Grit-n-Grind" Grizzlies. Despite the obvious improvement in Blake Griffin's game, and the team's impressive record, the team remains mentally weak. Doc Rivers' comments before and after Game 4, as well as the apparent affect on the players in a blowout Game 4 loss, shows the lack of mental toughness this team has always had. If the Clippers want to save their season, which hangs in the balance as they go home for Game 5 tonight, they must toughen up, forget about Sterling, and play hard for themselves and their teammates. 

Heading into tonight's game, with Mr. Sterling being permanently banned from the NBA, and most likely now being forced to sell the team, the Clippers must show the mettle they have failed to show these past few years. Now that Mr. Sterling has been punished for his injustice, the focus goes back to the basketball court. If it exists within them, the Clippers must now show true championship grit, forget all outside comments and influences, and win.

-Wes