THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014 SPORTS

Silver’s leadership Photo of the day exam only beginning

NEW YORK: Donald Sterling won’t go qui- Adam Silver is grounded in the NBA’s con- etly. Never has before. So even as praise stitution and its bylaws - which Mr. Sterling rolls in for NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s agreed to and signed - and any challenge forceful decision, the first real test of his would be considered as an arbitration deci- leadership may just be beginning. sion and not by the courts,” he said. Barely three months after taking over “And the only grounds to challenge an from David Stern, Silver, a lawyer and long- arbitration decision are very narrow, none time league entertainment executive, has of which apply here. All that said,” Kessler to muster a supermajority - 24 of the NBA’s added, “I’m sure if he’s intent on suing, he 30 owners - to carry out his threat to force could find some lawyer who would assert the disgraced Clippers owner to sell the some claim for him.” That’s never been a franchise. That’s on top of the unprecedent- problem for Sterling’s lawyers. ed $2.5 million fine and lifetime ban. His wife, Rochelle, is suing the woman But when Silver was asked, more than purportedly heard on tape at the center of once during Tuesday’s news conference the scandal to reclaim at least $1.8 million whether he has the votes, he didn’t waiver. in cash and gifts that Sterling allegedly pro- “I fully expect to get the support I need vided her. In 2009, he sued a former mis- from the other NBA owners I need to tress to reclaim a house he gifted her and remove him,” Silver said. lost (she kept the house). The same year, he No owners said publicly they wouldn’t agreed to a $2.76 million settlement to end support the decision, even Mavericks own- a Department of Justice lawsuit alleging er Mark Cuban who said Tuesday he agrees discrimination against African- Americans, with the commissioner 100 percent. Latinos and even children at apartment A day earlier, however, Cuban - while buildings he owned. criticizing Sterling’s comments as “obvious- Sterling was sued unsuccessfully by for- ly bigoted, obviously racist” - called it mer NBA great Elgin Baylor, who was his “damn scary” that a precedent could be set. general manager for 22 years and alleged “Regardless of your background, regard- the franchise was run at times like “a plan- less of the history they have, if we’re taking tation,” as well as a few former coaches over something somebody said in their home non-payment of their contracts. Two and we’re trying to turn it into something decades ago, he sued the NBA over a $25 that leads to you being forced to divest million fine levied for the unauthorized property in any way, shape or form, that’s move of the Clippers from San Diego - then not the United States of America,” Cuban dropped it after the fine was reduced to $6 Alexis Godbout performs at the Red Bull Fort Urbaine at Place Deslauriers in Tremblant, Canada. said. “I don’t want to be part of that.” If million. Before Silver’s announcement, FOX — www.redbull.com Silver has the votes, there’s no choice. News reported that Sterling said he would Even a cursory glance at Sterling’s liti- not sell the franchise. He bought it for $12.5 gious past suggests that while he’s barred million, and just like his real estate invest- from making his case before the league’s ments, the price tag has skyrocketed over Board of Governors, he may drag them into the years - valued around $600 million. He’s Clippers stop Warriors court. “Anybody can file any claim they got a personal fortune estimated at almost want to, but do I believe he has a reason- $2 billion - which buys a lot of high-pow- able chance of succeeding?” said Jeffrey ered legal talent - and whether the NBA LOS ANGELES: Hours after owner Donald apiece while Stephen Curry had a so-so game seven rebounds. Marcin Gortat had two points Kessler, probably the savviest sports-law owners are willing to call his bluff could Sterling was banned from the NBA for life, the with 17 points, including four 3-pointers. and 13 rebounds. attorney in the country. “I do not.” depend largely on Silver’s powers of per- Los Angeles Clippers returned to an energized Kessler chairs the sports and anti-trust suasion. Given his record, exactly how Staples Center and beat Golden State 113-103 WIZARDS 75, BULLS 69 GRIZZLIES 100, THUNDER 99 practices group at the firm of Winston & Sterling survived to become the league’s on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in their first- John Wall finished with 24 points and Nene Mike Miller scored 21 points and Memphis Strawn and has represented the players longest-tenured owner is a question that round playoff series. scored 20 as Washington clinched the first- held off Oklahoma City in a record fourth associations for the NBA, NFL, NHL and only Silver’s predecessor can answer. And DeAndre Jordan had 25 points, a playoff round series in five games. Bradley Beal scored straight overtime game to take a 3-2 lead in the MLB, as well as Latrell Sprewell and Michael for the moment, Stern is laying low. That’s career high, and 18 rebounds while Chris Paul 17 points, and the fifth-seeded Wizards first-round series.Oklahoma City rebounded a Vick. Though the NBA contract is confiden- not an option for the guy he handed off to. scored 20 points for the Clippers. advanced in the postseason for just the third missed 3-point attempt by Miller and called a tial, it’s a safe bet Kessler has a good grasp “This league is far bigger than any one Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers high-fived each time since the 1970s. They will meet Indiana or timeout, trailing 100-99 with 2.9 seconds on the relevant language. owner, any one coach and any one player,” of his players near the bench in an uncommon Atlanta in the Eastern Conference semifinals. It’s remaining. Kevin Durant of the Thunder missed “I don’t think Mr. Sterling has any basis Silver said at the news conference. Now all display of excitement as the final seconds ticked a huge step for a franchise that hadn’t been to a long 3-point attempt and teammate Serge for a legal claim, period. The decision by he has to do is prove it. — AP away. Jamal Crawford of the Clippers hugged the postseason since 2008, but with Wall and Ibaka tipped the ball in on the rebound. The and slapped hands with fans at courtside on the Beal leading the way, they won 44 games during shot was reviewed and it was determined that it way to the locker room. the regular season.The Wizards turned a halftime was released after the buzzer, ending the game. LPGA riding momentum Commissioner Adam Silver also fined Sterling tie into a nine-point lead heading into the fourth Zach Randolph added 20 points and 10 $2.5 million and called on NBA owners to force quarter and hung on down the stretch. rebounds for the Grizzlies, who will host Game 6 him to sell the team for making racist comments. Chicago’s comeback chances took a big hit today. Russell Westbrook had 30 points, 13 of its brightest stars The Clippers are on the brink of just their early in the final quarter when Taj Gibson crum- assists and 10 rebounds for the Thunder. third playoff series victory since Sterling bought bled to the court clutching his left ankle after he Oklahoma City trailed by 20 points in the CHARLOTTE: Except for a major that lacked and Stacy. They have built themselves into the team in 1981. Game 6 is today in Oakland. tried to block a layup by Wall with the Wizards third quarter but trimmed its deficit to six by the drama in the final hour, rarely has the entire stars. People always say, ‘Can you market her?’ Crawford scored 19 points for the Clippers up by six points. He had to be helped off the start of the fourth quarter and finally took a 79- month of April delivered so much excitement. I don’t get to choose to do the marketing. while Blake Griffin had 18 and Darren Collison court and did not return. 78 lead on a 3-pointer by Durant. Consecutive Some of the biggest names and brightest They’re the ones who do that.” 15. Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 21 Wall and Nene, back from a one-game sus- baskets by Mike Conley put the Grizzlies up 87- stars won all the tournaments, one after the Whan also spoke about stars at the end of points. David Lee and Andre Iguodala scored 18 pension for grabbing Butler’s head, both had 82 with just under 4 minutes to play. — AP other, even as one of the tour’s best players last season, when three players were vying for was sidelined by a back injury. At least that’s top awards in the final tournament and the the story on the LPGA Tour. “It’s a neat time,” commissioner had just announced a 2014 said Mike Whan, in his fifth year as LPGA com- schedule that restored some vitality to missioner. “It’s neat for the players, too. We’ve women’s . “I think sports are at their got a lot of big guns playing some of their absolute best - and it doesn’t happen that best golf.” The month began with a curious often - when the best athletes in that sport are decision to put Paulina Gretzky - known in having the best years of their lives,” Whan said hockey circles as the daughter of The Great that day in Naples, Fla. Maybe there’s more of One, and in golf circles as the fiance of Dustin the best than even Whan realized. Johnson - on the cover of Golf Digest. It’s The rest of the year hasn’t been too shab- almost as if the LPGA staged the best protest by. Karrie Webb, another Hall of Fame mem- possible by showing the magazine what it ber and the only woman to capture five of the was missing. LPGA’s majors, has won twice. So has former Lexi Thompson and Michelle Wie shared major champion Anna Nordqvist. Of all the the 54-hole lead in the first major of the year LPGA winners this year, Jessica Korda has the at the Kraft Nabisco. If that wasn’t compelling lowest world ranking. She’s at No. 25. And the enough, right behind were English teen tour’s Big Three from last year - Inbee Park, Charley Hull and Se Ri Pak, the youngest play- Suzann Pettersen and Lewis - still haven’t won. er inducted into the Hall of Fame and who Pettersen was on course to take over No. 1 in was missing only this major for the career the world until she injured her back and had Grand Slam. Thompson built a big lead early to miss the Kraft Nabisco. She just returned and took the drama out of the back nine to last week. win by three, giving her four LPGA victories The PGA Tour has been without the and a major at age 19. biggest name in golf for two months. Tiger Thompson spent her early teens playing Woods had back surgery a week before the against PGA Tour-caliber competition - mainly Masters. He last was seen wearing that red brother Nicholas. Wie spent part of her early shirt on March 9, before the LPGA Tour even teens playing on the PGA Tour. Wie, still the embarked on the domestic portion of its most transcendent figure in women’s golf, schedule. In the seven weeks since Woods has bounced back by winning two weeks later in been gone, the average world ranking of PGA her native Hawaii. It was her first win since Tour winners is No. 120. That includes Masters graduating from Stanford, and it put Wie at champion Bubba Watson (No. 12 when he the top of the LPGA money list for the first won his second green jacket) and time. And then it got even better. Lydia Ko, a (No. 6). Has it helped the LPGA that Woods two-time winner on the LPGA before she even hasn’t been around? Maybe. Whan sees it dif- turned pro, had quite the week in San ferently. “When Tiger is in the game, it lifts all Francisco. She was on Time magazine’s list of boats,” Whan said. “He creates an interest in the world’s 100 most influential people (no, golf. Maybe it helps us among the golf fanat- Paulina Gretzky was not among them). She ics who are searching for mojo and we’re pro- LOS ANGELES: Golden State Warriors forward David Lee (top) puts up a shot as Los Angeles Clippers forward Hedo Turkoglu, of Turkey, falls to celebrated her 17th birthday. And she capped viding some. But when he’s playing, there are the floor during the second half in Game 5 of an opening-round NBA basketball playoff series. — AP it with a 6-foot birdie putt on the final hole at more eyeballs.” Lake Merced to hold off Women’s British Open Whan cares less about comparisons to champion Stacy Lewis. men’s golf, and more about what really mat- “Stars drive sports,” Whan said Monday ters. The title sponsors are happy. The fan base Last-minute Championship afternoon. “When LeBron is in the champi- across all platforms is growing. Corporate onship game, when Michelle and Lexi are bat- involvement is strong. And the LPGA is the tling for a major, when Tiger plays, it makes a tour that every woman golfer in the world difference. Everybody thinks they know who should want to join. Life is good on the LPGA to tee off in Singapore those stars are. Three years ago if you would Tour. And a month like April is only going to have asked me, I wouldn’t have said Lydia, Lexi help. — AP SINGAPORE: The hastily rearranged Blackstone Golf Club six times from 2008 but “We lost the tournament at Blackstone, Championship will tee off in Singapore was moved three weeks ago after losing its which was a shame for me as I’d played well today after a last-minute shift from South title sponsor. there for two years. “But it is great to be here in Korea forced players to swiftly change their Yesterday, players practised on a Singapore and we have to pay a great deal of travel plans. makeshift driving range at Laguna National credit to everyone for setting up a tournament Some players had to cancel flights, while Golf and Country Club, which is mid-redevel- like this in such a short period of time.” defending champion Brett Rumford had pass- opment and had little time to prepare for the Despite the late move, the Championship, port problems and nearly missed last week’s European and -sanctioned tourna- which has few recognised stars, is a valuable after he sent off for an ment. opportunity for Asia-based players to get a win unneeded Korean visa. The unsponsored Championship is the which would give them valuable access to the And India’s Anirban Lahiri turned up in trop- biggest men’s golf event in Singapore this year European Tour. ical Singapore with jumpers and jackets which with the Singapore Open, once known as “One of my goals is to be playing in he had packed for chilly South Korea before “Asia’s major”, sidelined since the withdrawal of Europe, and this is one of those chances,” said the venue change was announced earlier this its title sponsor. Lahiri, who is on a roll after winning last week’s month. It underlines a difficult year for Asian golf CIMB Niaga . Kang Sung- “Those are the hazards of what happens with only seven confirmed tournaments on Hoon paid tribute to the victims of this sometimes. But it’s part and parcel of what we the Asian Tour schedule so far this year. month’s ferry disaster, when a vessel headed to do and I’m just glad that we’ve got this tourna- Previous full seasons have had more than 20 Jeju island-former home of the Championship- ment here and we still have the playing oppor- tournaments. capsized leaving 210 dead and 92 missing. “So tunity,” Lahiri said. “We are fortunate to have the tournament I’ll just do my best, get a good result and give The tournament, formerly the Ballantine’s from what I’ve heard,” said Bernd Wiesberger, them at least a little bit of consolation,” said the Championship, was held at South Korea’s winner of the Ballantine’s in 2012. South Korean. — AFP Michelle Wie