Magic says Sterling needs help
Owner: Johnson has not helped blacks, is a bad role model.
LOS ANGELES— Magic Johnson on Tuesday responded to Donald Sterling’s attacks on him, calling the Los Angeles Clippers owner’s statements “very disturbing.”
Sterling lashed out at Johnson during a CNN interview broadcast Monday night, alluding to the NBA great’s HIV-positive diagnosis saying “he’s got AIDS!,” then adding he was not a good role model for the children.
“We’ve got to pray for the man,” Johnson told TMZ.com. “I think we need to get him some help.”
Johnson defended himself against criticism by Sterling that he has not contributed to the African-American community, listing some of his charitable works.
“I am a proud black man. I am one of the leaders in the black community,” he said.
Sterling’s comments came as he addressed racial remarks he made that prompted the NBA to ban him for life. In a recording released by TMZ two weeks ago, Sterling tells a female friend, V. Stiviano, not to associate with black people, including Johnson.
“What kind of guy goes to every city, has sex with every girl, then catches” HIV? Sterling told Anderson Cooper. “I think he should be ashamed of himself.”
Sterling also questioned whether Johnson has made a positive contribution to the African-American community in Los Angeles. He then pointed to his own charitable work.
“Jews, when they get successful, they will help their people,” he said.
Johnson was later interviewed by Cooper on Tuesday evening.
CNN released a portion of the interview. In it, Johnson says: “He’s a man who’s upset and he’s reaching. He’s reaching. ... I’m a God-fearing man. I’m going to pray for him.”
The CNN interview with Sterling sparked a new round of outrage against the Clippers owner. Sterling apologized for his statements on the recording. But his comments about Johnson left some questioning whether he was truly sorry.
Communications experts called it among the worst apologies ever.
Commissioner Adam Silver apologized to Johnson on behalf of the NBA.
Sterling’s estranged wife, Shelley Sterling, told NBC’s “Today” show that he may be losing his mental faculties and suffers from dementia.