Sterling punishment brings welcome relief
The sordid saga of Los Angeles Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling is nearing an end after one of the sorriest ownership chapters in NBA history.
Good riddance.
I covered his media introduction 33 years ago when he bought the then-San Diego Clippers. It was a head-shaking first impression notable for Sterling’s clueless chutzpah.
During the luncheon, Sterling was taken aback that the media actually had some hard questions for him, specifically about rumors that he planned to move the Clippers to Los Angeles.
Sterling wasn’t a very good liar.
Squirming on the hot seat, he tried to change the conversation. Exasperated that the line of questioning continued, he came up with a novel approach to win over the hearts and minds of us ink-stained wretches.
He waved off further questions and urged the media to have a second helping of cheesecake.
He actually said that.
Three years later, he moved the Clippers to Los Angeles.
Sterling got his just desserts Tuesday. New NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced a lifetime ban and a $2.5 million fine for Sterling’s racist remarks that rocked the NBA this week.
WORKING VACATION
Las Vegas casinos are on high alert this week: Sir Phillip and Lady Tina Green are arriving in Las Vegas to mix business with pleasure. They’re attending the grand opening of Lalique Boutique at Crystals at CityCenter on Thursday.
One of the wealthiest women in the world, she and business partner Pietro Mingarelli design everything from homes to yacht interiors (billions of dollars worth of yacht interiors, in fact). They are a creative juggernaut behind taking Lalique into the mainstream by integrating Lalique into furniture.
Her husband is a retail tycoon who brought Top Shop to Fashion Show a couple years ago.
They know how to party.
“I think she’s considered as the best party thrower in Europe, with the most widely reported parties of all time. Magnificent parties,” said friend Robert Earl, founder of Planet Hollywood. “She had 10 of the biggest superstar performers in the world at his 60th birthday party two years ago. It lasted three days.”
ON THE MEND
Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison of “Pawn Stars” will thank his lucky stars when he undergoes surgery today.
He’s counting his blessing that his Saturday motorcycle accident didn’t happen on the freeway at 80 mph.
About 3 p.m., Saturday his bike came apart while he was driving 40 mph down a residential street on the way to visit his father, Rick Harrison. He bailed off and ended up with broken bones in his hand and wrist, and a serious case of road rash.
He delayed his trip to the hospital because he had 50 friends back home gathered for his 31st birthday party. About midnight, he snuck out a back door and went to the hospital.
“They’re going to bolt me back together,” he said. “You ride ’em, you wreck ’em. It’s a part of the deal.”
SIGHTINGS
Planet Hollywood headliner Britney Spears, shopping at Vasari at Tivoli Village in Summerlin on Saturday. … Supermodel Tyra Banks and Jaymes Vaughan of the Chippendales and the Jaymes and James team on “The Great Race,” taking in Spears’ Saturday show at Planet Hollywood Resort. Vaughan was brought on stage. … Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, celebrating his 28th birthday at Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop on Saturday. … Actor Steve Schirripa from “The Sopranos,” dining at Andiamo Italian Steakhouse (the D) on Sunday night. Entertainer Frankie Scinta joined him at table before Schirripa headed to Scinta’s show at the D. … Banks did an impromptu photo shoot backstage with the Chippendales on Friday.
THE PUNCH LINE
“George Clooney is engaged. You can tell he’s excited to get married because he’s been throwing himself a bachelor party for the last 20 years.” — Jimmy Fallon
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke. “Norm Clarke’s Vegas,” airs Thursdays on the “Morning Blend” on KTNV-TV, Channel 13.
