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Donald Sterling: Not Exactly An Inspiring Leader

Anytime someone suggests that Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is the worst sports owner in the Los Angeles area, I have to cringe because he still has miles to go to catch up to Clippers head man Donald Sterling. T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times caught up with the Clippers owner Monday, the day the team unveiled their new uniforms.

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Sterling was in rare form during the interview:

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“If I really called the shots we wouldn’t have signed Gomes and what’s the other guy’s name?”

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“I swear to you, I never heard of these guys,” Sterling says, “but what if the coach says he wants them?”

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The “other guy” in question is Randy Foye, who signed with the Clippers this offseason. Sterling’s complaints accomplish the task of distancing himself from blame, while giving Sterling a scapegoat should things go wrong.

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But, did Sterling ever stop to think that maybe he is the reason marquee free agents don’t want to sign there? True or not, the reputation of Sterling is one of an owner who would rather make money than field a competitive team. Now, the Clippers have some good, young talent on this team. There is reason to be excited going forward, but it would be nice if their owner wasn’t such a wet blanket.