Band of Brothers

Provided by HuffingtonPost

There's never been a more vivid sign from NBA players asking the league to do something.




Prior to today's game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors, the Clippers took off their warmups and left them at center court while wearing their shooting shirts inside out. They also wore black uniform accessories to protest the alleged actions of their owner Donald Sterling. Later in the evening, the Houston Rockets and Portland Trailblazers decided to wear black socks in support of the Clippers. The idea came from Blazers star LaMarcus Aldridge

"I just wanted to do something to support our brothers," Aldridge said according to The Oregonian.

Photo Courtesy of USAToday.com

The move isn't just one that supports the Clippers' team. It is a message to the league to do something. While teams may not be ready to just stop playing games that help them make a living for their families, they had to send a message as a reminder that Sterling's purported actions will not be tolerated. The players across the NBA along with other pop culture icons have responded strongly to the recently leaked tape that has a man reported to be Sterling making racist remarks while speaking to his bi-racial mistress/girlfriend.

I know new NBA commissioner Adam Silver has an ongoing investigation currently, but the league will have to do something here. This sort of turmoil has noticeably taken its toll on the Clippers, a team that some have winning the title this year. If the league doesn't do something, I think that will leave the door open for players to take the matter into their own hands and possibly leave the team. With free agents potentially being leery of playing for a Sterling-owned team and current players and coaches uncertain to stay, the league will have to step in and make something happen by moving swiftly and effectively. Anything less than that would be an injustice that could spell disaster for L.A.'s second team.

Truthfully, it's good that the players, current and former, are supporting the Clippers. They may face each other night in and night out throughout the season, but this show of solidarity will be remembered for years. The players' ability to show togetherness will ultimately be adopted by the fans. Again, having that solidarity could affect the league tremendously if the league doesn't get this right.