Reaction to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banning Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addresses a news conference in New York, Tuesday, April 29, 2014. Silver announced that Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been banned for life by the league in response to racist comments the league says he made in a recorded conversation.(AP Photo/Kathy Willens) (The Associated Press)

A statue of Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Magic Johnson is displayed outside of the Staples Center in front of a Los Angeles Clippers banner reading "One Team, One Goal," Tuesday, April 29, 2014, in Los Angeles. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Silver announced Tuesday that Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been banned for life by the league, in response to racist comments the league says he made in a recorded conversation. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Reaction to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banning Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life Tuesday for racist remarks:

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"Commissioner Silver thank you for protecting our beautiful and powerful league!! Great leader!! #BiggerThanBasketball #StriveForGreatness" — Miami Heat star LeBron James on Twitter.

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"We are one." — Clippers' website.

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"Commissioner Silver has made the right moves in response to this unfortunate absurd spectacle." — Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert on Twitter.

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"The alleged statements made by Mr. Sterling were deplorable and cannot be tolerated. Bigotry and hatred have no place in the NBA or any other arena of our society." — NAACP statement.

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"Way to go, Commissioner Silver! The NBA stands for everybody!" — former star Shaquille O'Neal on Twitter.

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"This is a huge victory for those of us that stood against this ugly display of racism." — the Rev. Al Sharpton.

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"Standing ovation' for Commissioner Silver. Big time decision standing up for the league and it's players. Now, Gotta see it through." — Golden State guard Stephen Curry on Twitter. The Warriors are facing the Clippers in the playoffs.

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"We're all so fortunate to be part of a game that transcends these kinds of misguided ignorances. The beauty and ideals of our game will long outlive these kinds of things that should not happen." — Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle.

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"Credit to NBA players, the NBA community and Adam Silver for coming together and acting quickly. No room for racists in sport." — NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith.