Donald Sterling Calls Out Magic Johnson for HIV And Not Giving Back, Magic Responds
Donald Sterling spoke out against Magic Johnson and his HIV diagnosis while trying to get past being labeled a racist.
Sterling, the 80-year-old Jewish lawyer, real estate investor and owner of the Clippers, sat down with CNN's Anderson Cooper for his first interview since being banned for life from NBA proceedings by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. After TMZ released audio of Sterling telling his alleged former mistress V. Stiviano not to associate with black people, the NBA fined him $2.5 million and said he was working to overthrow his position with a 75 percent vote from other NBA team owners.
While Sterling did defend himself by admitting that he made a mistake, he also called out Johnson in the process. Earvin "Magic" Johnson, the popular Hall of Fame Lakers point guard who is now a wealthy entrepreneur, was diagnosed with HIV over 20 years ago.
For this reason, Sterling is sounding off on him.
"I don't think he's a good example for the children of Los Angeles," Sterling told CNN's Cooper. "What kind of guy goes to every city, has sex with every girl, then catches (HIV). I think he should be ashamed of himself."
He also criticized Johnson for not giving back to minorities even more saying, "Jews, when they get successful, they will help their people."
However, Sterling did seem to want to soften the blow to Johnson during the interview.
"If I said anything wrong, I'm sorry. He's a good person," Sterling said. "I mean, what am I going to say? Has he done everything he can do to help minorities? I don't think so."
He went on to add, "but I'll say it, he's great. But I don't think he's a good example for the children of Los Angeles."
While it seems Johnson has caught wind of the comments, he does not seem to want to speak about Sterling.
"I'd rather be talking about these great NBA Playoffs than Donald Sterling's interview," Johnson tweeted. "After this week, no more Sterling talk. Just the NBA Playoffs, my @Dodgers and my @LA_Sparks!"
