Shout it out: Sterling heckles Davis - Yahoo Sports
LOS ANGELES – It’s not uncommon to hear Los Angeles Clippers fans heckle Baron Davis(notes). Of late, however, the jeers directed at the team’s struggling point guard are coming from a far more surprising source: The man paying Davis, Clippers owner Donald Sterling.
Sterling has expressed his displeasure about Davis’ play by taunting him from his courtside seat at Clippers’ home games, several sources told Yahoo! Sports. Among Sterling’s verbal barbs:
– “Why are you in the game?”
– “Why did you take that shot?”
– “You’re out of shape!”
While Sterling has also taunted other Clippers players since the middle of last season, none have received it worse than Davis, the sources said. Davis has missed 14 of the team’s 25 games this season and is averaging 7.4 points while making a team-high $13 million. Including this season, Davis has three years and nearly $42 million left on his contract.
“There’s nothing I can say,” Davis said of Sterling’s taunts. “I have no comment on that. You just get to this point where it’s a fight every day. It’s a fight. You’re fighting unnecessary battles. I’m fighting unnecessary battles.
“It’s frustrating because I know and my teammates know I’m capable of getting it done, even dudes on the other team. It’s frustrating.”
Sterling had little comment when asked about his behavior.
“When they make shots, it’s great,” Sterling said during halftime of the Clippers’ loss to the Orlando Magic on Sunday. “When they don’t, we’re all disappointed.”
When asked for more explanation, Sterling shrugged and politely ended the questioning.
Hope Resurrected: "I think I can bring an attitude to a team as far as, ‘All right, no matter what, we are not losing this game'." - Kemba Walker
"Its okay to be bad; just so long as you're bad ass." - Keetch
I am not a big fan of Donald Sterling but I have seen a few Clippers games with Baron playing and Baron seems like he could care less. He came to camp out of shape and he is not anywhere near what he should be. Donald gave him a nice guaranteed contract and Baron so far does not appear worthy of it. Donald can't fire him per say and I am sure Donald has addressed the team and some players in private but at some point there is not much left to do but take shots from the sideline. I am not a big fan of Donald Sterling but the man has spent money in the last ten years to try to shape the Clippers into winners. His problem is he does not have very good basketball people around him and he makes decisions without completetly thinking them through.
On a side note the Clippers are on a three game winning streak and Baron has looked good. Maybe the Clippers can at least win over 30 games. On talent alone they have the abililty to win 30+ games. If the coaching is good they will win 40+.
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