Doc Rivers declines to speak to Donald Sterling, unsure of future with Clippers

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers told reporters on Monday that he refused to speak to owner Donald Sterling after the Clippers owner reached out to him.

Rivers and his Clippers return to the Staples Center Tuesday for game five against the Golden State Warriors for their first home game since the recording of Sterling's racial remarks were released over the weekend.

Rivers talked to reporters for a while on Monday.

"I have been asked if I need to talk to him, with Donald, and I passed, quite honestly," Rivers said. "I don't think right now is the time or place for me, at least. So I just took a pass" [Yahoo! Sports]

Reporters asked Rivers if he will return to the Clippers next season if Sterling is still the owner of his team. He said he wasn't sure. 

"I don't want to answer that question," Rivers said. "I don't know. This just happened" [Yahoo! Sports] 

Rivers also told reporters that he does believe it was Sterling's voice on the recording and believes Sterling meant every word he said. 

"Yeah, I believe he said those things," Rivers said. "But I still want to make sure [the tape] hasn't been doctored. But, yes, is the answer. As far as believing those things, I heard what he said. Until someone says something differently, you usually listen to what people say."

"I haven't given him due process. I haven't given him an opportunity to explain himself. And quite honestly, I don't want him to or want him [to explain] to me. I'll wait for that further judgment." [Yahoo! Sports]

Rivers signed a three-year, $21 million contract last summer to coach the Clippers. He's also a vice president of basketball operations. 

The NBA has scheduled a news conference for 2 p.m. today to discuss its investigation into Donald Sterling's tape recording in which he allegedly tells his girlfriend, V. Stiviano, that he doesn't want her bringing black people to games. 

Causeway Street will keep you updated throughout the day.


Josue Pavon