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The NBA is holding a news conference on Tuesday in New York to discuss the investigation into racist comments allegedly made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling in a recorded conversation. Dawan Landry . You can watch it live on TSN, TSN.ca and TSN GO at at 2pm et/11am pt. The news conference is a clear sign NBA Commissioner Adam Silver - in the first real crisis of his short tenure - is both following through on his plan to move quickly on this matter and adhering to a request from the players union for some sort of resolution in short order. The Clippers host Golden State in Game 5 of their Western Conference first round series on Tuesday night in Los Angeles. "He should not continue owning the clippers," Lakers star Kobe Bryant wrote Monday on Twitter. Fallout from the Sterling scandal continued Monday, with CarMax -- the nations largest retailer of used vehicles -- ending its sponsorship of the team. The company said in a statement it finds the statements attributed to Sterling "completely unacceptable." "While we have been a proud Clippers sponsor for nine years and support the team, fans and community, these statements necessitate that CarMax end its sponsorship," it explained. Portions of the recordings were released over the weekend by TMZ and Deadspin. Silvers first step in the process was to authenticate that Sterlings voice is on the tape, and while the NBA has not confirmed that it is, Sterlings wife attributed the comments to her husband. "Our family is devastated by the racist comments made by my estranged husband," Rochelle Sterling said in a statement sent KABC-TV in Los Angeles. "My children and I do not share these despicable views or prejudices. We will not let one mans small mindedness poison the spirit of the fans and accomplishments of the team in the city we love. We are doing everything in our power to stand by and support our Clippers team." Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, the former NBA All-Star who is serving as an adviser to the National Basketball Players Association while the Sterling matter plays out, called it "a massive distraction" to the league. What Silver will do remains unclear. He works for the owners -- and so far that group seems to have no sympathy for Sterlings latest controversy. Among those who have spoken out publicly to condemn the alleged Sterling remarks: Washingtons Ted Leonsis, Miamis Micky Arison and perhaps most notably, Charlottes Michael Jordan, who won six NBA titles as a player. "Im obviously disgusted that a fellow team owner could hold such sickening and offensive views," Jordan said in a statement released Sunday. "Im confident that Adam Silver will make a full investigation and take appropriate action quickly." Silvers tenure as commissioner began on Feb. 1, replacing the retired David Stern. Silver met with Kevin Johnson on Sunday and heard five things that the players union wants from the commissioner. The list includes: - Sterling not attending any NBA games for the rest of the playoffs because of the "enormous distraction." - A full account of past allegations of discrimination by Sterling and why the league never sanctioned him. - An explanation of the range of penalties the league could bring against Sterling. - Assurance the NBA and the union will be partners in the investigation. - A decisive ruling. "Hes got to come down hard," Hall of Fame player Magic Johnson, who was referenced on the audio recording, said Sunday on ABC. The NBA constitution is not public, though its understood the commissioners powers are broad when it comes to dealing with matters deemed "prejudicial or detrimental to the best interests of basketball." A fine, a suspension, a demand for sensitivity training, all those and more are surely at Silvers disposal. Meanwhile, more audio may be coming. An employee in the office of attorney Mac E. Nehoray, who represents the woman allegedly on the tape, said the full recording lasts about an hour. The clips released by TMZ and Deadspin are significantly shorter than that. The attorneys office also insists that the recording is legitimate and that Sterling is the man on the tape. Also on Sunday, the NAACP announced on Twitter that Sterling will not be receiving a lifetime achievement award from the LA Branch of the NAACP." Sterling had been slated to receive the honour May 15 as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of the groups Los Angeles chapter. Some players feel for the magnitude of the task Silver is facing. "What, hes been three months on the job? And he has to deal with an issue like this," Washingtons Garrett Temple said. "Its unfair to him. ... Its going to be a difficult situation for him to take care of, and hes probably going to act swiftly as he said. And he needs to do so. Its a very tough issue. A lot of different sides. But its more than basketball." Sterling has been the subject of many past controversies, but this, particularly at playoff time and with his own team a potential title contender, has perhaps generated more outcry than the others combined. Even President Barack Obama addressed the issue Sunday at a news conference in Malaysia. The next move will be made by Silver, and Tuesday apparently is the day. "This is a defining moment for the league," Kevin Johnson said. "Its a defining moment for the commissioner." AP Sports Writers Antonio Gonzalez and Joseph White and Associated Press Writer John Rogers contributed to this report. Antwan Barnes . With his team trailing the Cleveland Indians by 13 runs in the ninth inning, the Blue Jays utility infielder came off the bench to make his big league pitching debut and secure the final out. DBrickashaw Ferguson .m. Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Colorado last played at Crew Stadium on Nov. 6 last year, suffering possibly the best loss in club history, as the Rapids won an ensuing penalty kick shootout to snap an aggregate tie in the playoffs.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Dear Kerry, I was watching the fourth goal for the Islanders in the game against the Leafs, it seemed the Leafs goalie Bernier had the puck covered and the referee blew the whistle raised his arms in the air to signal the play was dead and then moments later signaled good goal. On the overhead replay, you could see the puck cross the line before the whistle, however it seems to me that the referee thought the puck was covered and intended to blow the play dead as he blew the whistle before ever seeing the puck free. Would this fall under the intent to blow the play dead under Rule 31.2: "As there is a human factor involved in blowing the whistle to stop play, the Referee may deem the play to be stopped slightly prior to the whistle actually being blown. The fact that the puck may come loose or cross the goal line prior to the sound of the whistle has no bearing if the referee has ruled that the play had been stopped prior to this happening." Look forwards to hearing your take on the play. Jordan Anstey --- Hi Kerry, I have a question regarding the Leaf/Islanders game. The Islanders just tied the game 4-4 on a questionable goal, in my opinion. The puck was never frozen by Bernier, as it rolled across the goal line. The referee at the crease blew his whistle, waved it dead and then immediately pointed to the puck in the net. How on earth can you blow the play dead and then reverse it? That shouldnt have counted! Please correct me if I am wrong. Best Regards,Dale Jordan and Dale: Referee Denis LaRue did everything correctly from the moment he attacked the net with speed and eventually located the puck across the goal line the goal line behind Jonathan Bernier. Any evidence or question of the referees "intent to blow the whistle" would have resulted from the fact that he could not see the puck as he approached the net and therefore might have assumed it was frozen under Berniers equipment (puck out of sight). The referee demonstrated patience in not blowing the whistle pre-maturely as he continued on a path toward the goal crease in an effort to find the puck. OOnce referee LaRue got to the net he did in fact locate the puck across the goal line almost simultaneously with his decision to kill the play. Muhammad Wilkerson. This visual picture was quickly processed and abruptly changed any thought he might have had that the puck was frozen. The puck in the net was now a reality for the referee. As such, Denis LaRues hands immediately went from the field goal position signaling "play is dead" to pointing into the net signaling that a legal goal had been scored! This visual evidence demonstrated and confirmed to the referee that the puck had entered the net prior to his whistle and any "intent" he might have had to blow the play dead. It is somewhat speculative to assume the puck is frozen just because you dont see it. Definitive evidence is presented whenever the referee sees the puck across the goal line. A legal goal must be based on that evidence. Far too many times I have seen referees misjudge plays in and around the goal crease when they remained stationary in the corner or kept an obstructed view without moving their feet. Had it not been for LaRues quick reaction this could have been just another one of those unfortunate times. On the play Travis Hamonics shot from the point was deflected by Carl Gunnarsson and picked up behind the goal line half way to the corner by Ryan Strome. This altered puck position forced the referee to retreat to the corner just ahead of the goal line. Strome then threw the puck to the front of the net and it was redirected by Anders Lee between Berniers pads. Rather than remain in the corner, Referee LaRue read the situation and reacted without hesitation by sprinting to the net on angle that allowed him to avoid Nazim Kadri and Ryan Strome. En route to the net the refs inability to immediately locate the puck, along with his instinct and experience might have caused him to think the puck was underneath Jonathan Bernier. LaRues patience with the whistle and his quick footed attack toward the net to locate the puck behind Bernier resulted in the correct call to allow the goal scored by Anders Lee to stand. In this situation the referee demonstrated a text book attack of the net in order to render the correct call. ' ' ' |
