Pope of Basketball.

Summary

Donald Sterling, the owner of the Clippers, has become arrogant after the team's success, believing he is the king of Los Angeles. As a key negotiator, Sterling has made outrageous comments, aligning himself with hardline owners who are dissatisfied with the high salaries of black players and envious of powerhouse teams like the Lakers. At a meeting of owners, Sterling and others demanded that the Lakers share their profits, but Jerry Buss, the Lakers' owner, refused, pointing out that he pays Kobe Bryant $20 million a year, but Bryant brings in $70 million in value. Buss also noted that the other owners are not full-time owners and have other businesses. After the meeting, Sterling sought out Yang Rui and Thomas, questioning why they hadn't signed a mega deal with the Clippers. Thomas explained that they need to observe the situation for a few years, as the Buss family's contract with Time Warner may harm the interests of Los Angeles fans. The chapter also mentions that many fans have criticized the Lakers for signing the contract with Time Warner, feeling that the team has forgotten about its fans. Yang Rui suspects that if Sterling continues down his current path, he may have to sell the team before 2014. In other news, Scarlett has finished her voice work for "Her" and is staying at home, while Stana and Scarlett seem to be getting along better. Jennifer Aniston has gone through another breakup and is seeking comfort from her friends. Thomas is planning to support Jennifer's career and push "Gravity" for next year's Oscars. The NBA lockout continues, with some players seeking opportunities in other countries. Kobe Bryant, Deron Williams, and Zaza Pachulia are all negotiating with or have signed with teams in Turkey. Yao Ming may represent the Shanghai Sharks before the lockout ends, and there are reports that Kobe might briefly join the team to play with Yao Ming again.

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