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Clippers, other NBA teams unite behind 'We Are One' message following ban of Donald Sterling
Moments after NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced a lifetime ban and $2.5 million fine for Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, and the intention to urge the league's Board of Governors to force Sterling to sell the team following an investigation confirming that Sterling did make the racist comments featured on audio recordings published this past weekend, the Clippers organization offered a simple, clear and concise statement of support for Silver's decision:
As The Sporting News notes, the "WE ARE ONE" message also immediately appeared on the Clippers' Facebook and Twitter pages. In the hours that followed, other NBA teams began showing their support for the Clippers and adopting the slogan in solidarity:
We Are One. pic.twitter.com/P7YbvhSpfq
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 29, 2014
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 29, 2014
#WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/H0DxN61ITK
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) April 29, 2014
#WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/o9mtWSpnXk
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 29, 2014
#WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/OPzacErw2L
— Denver Nuggets (@denvernuggets) April 29, 2014
#WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/OFuP6HSfmJ
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 29, 2014
#WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/hMFOurp9na
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 29, 2014
#WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/8DuWaPqQB3
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) April 29, 2014
#WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/HDFih6JsVY
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 29, 2014
#WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/8TllLwSetr
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 29, 2014
#WeAreOne #DallasMavs pic.twitter.com/4o4DYDobiO
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) April 29, 2014
The Clippers quickly followed their "WE ARE ONE" message with an official and unequivocal team statement:
Clippers Statement: "We wholeheartedly support and embrace the decision by the NBA and Adam Silver today. Now the healing process begins.”
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) April 29, 2014
No response from Sterling will be forthcoming from the Clippers, according to a follow-up organizational statment:
Clippers won't be issuing a statement from Donald Sterling. "He's not a part of the team anymore."
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) April 29, 2014
That healing process begins with Tuesday's Game 5 against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center. I suspect the atmosphere will be singularly stunning.
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is an editor for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at devine@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!
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