ABC/ESPN commentator Jeff Van Gundy has never been shy when it comes to speaking his mind, and the former NBA coach did not hold back when encouraging the Clippers to take a stand against owner Donald Sterling.
During his introduction alongside Mike Breen before Game 4 of the Clippers-Warriors playoff series, Van Gundy expressed his feelings and said he felt the Clippers should have shown more of a protest.
“The only action that would be wrong is inaction or neutrality. From what the Clippers players did, I’d also like to see them make a statement before the game to the crowd about how racism has no place in this basketball arena,” said Van Gundy. “Or just sit on the bench silently protesting for 15 minutes. Or even wait until Commissioner Adam Silver imposes whatever discipline is coming. Any of those to me would have been a great statement.”
After the game began, Breen asked Van Gundy about how he thought the Sterling controversy would affect the team’s championship pursuit.
“Mike, who cares?” said Van Gundy. “There are some things that are bigger than pursuing a championship. Pursuing a championship is worthwhile. Making a stand on something that impacts society is even more important.”
Van Gundy is absolutely correct. It took a lot of guts for him to make his statement on national TV, and he did not back down. It’s nice to have someone speak his mind about such an important issue. It would have been even nicer if the Clippers took some of his advice, too. They should have protested the game.
