FX recently announced an upcoming 6-part limited docudrama series called “Clipped” that will dramatize the Donald Sterling racism scandal that rocked the NBA and the Los Angeles Clippers franchise in 2014. The series has an all-star cast, including Laurence Fishburne as former Clippers coach Doc Rivers, Jacki Weaver as Sterling’s wife Shelly, and Ed O’Neill as the disgraced former Clippers owner Donald Sterling. In this article we talk about The Clippers Documentary- What We Know and Why Fans Are Furious!
While the series promises to take viewers behind the scenes of one of the biggest scandals in sports history, some loyal Clippers fans are furious that the dark chapter is being dredged up again on film. Here’s a breakdown of what we know about the upcoming series and why it’s stirring up anger among diehard Clips fans:
The Rundown on “Clipped”
Based on the ESPN 30 for 30 podcast “The Sterling Affairs”, the 6-part limited series will dramatize the events around the racist remarks made by Donald Sterling that were caught on tape and eventually led to him being banned from the NBA.
It focuses not only on the dysfunction of the Clippers organization under Sterling’s ownership, but also the dysfunction of Sterling’s personal life and marriage to Shelly Sterling.
Laurence Fishburne stars as former Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, who took over the coaching job in 2013 aiming to lead the Clippers to their first ever championship.
The series promises to profile how Rivers aimed to minimize Sterling’s toxic influence over the team in order to find success on the court.
It also depicts the power struggle between Sterling’s personal assistant and mistress V. Stiviano (played by Cleopatra Coleman) and his wife Shelly. This clash allegedly led to Shelly directing V. Stiviano to secretly record the racist comments made by Donald Sterling that later went viral.
Why Clippers Fans Are Outraged
Many Clippers fans feel like they’ve finally put the Donald Sterling nightmare behind them, only to now have the painful saga dragged up again on film.
Stirring up the racism scandal once more taints the brand and image that the Clippers franchise has tried to rebuild in recent years.
Focusing on the past dysfunction continues to overshadow the fact that today’s Clippers, led by stars like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, are perennial championship contenders with loads of talent.
This limited series dredges up bad memories that fans want to forget and keeps portraying the Clippers as a cursed or troubled organization, rather than one now poised for greatness.
Many believe Sterling’s racism scandal should remain in the past rather than become entertainment fodder for an all-star cast to re-enact today.
While the docudrama promises to offer intriguing behind-the-scenes access into one of basketball’s biggest scandals, it’s clear not all Clippers fans are eager to relive this painful chapter of the franchise’s history. With championship aspirations higher than ever today thanks to stars like Kawhi and PG-13, many fans feel the Clippers’ bright future is more deserving of the spotlight than Donald Sterling’s ugly past actions. I sincerely hope you find this “The Clippers Documentary- What We Know and Why Fans Are Furious!” article helpful.
