Clipped Series-Finale Recap: Rebuilding

As a longtime resident of Los Angeles and a passionate fan of basketball, I’ve followed the Clippers saga with a mix of fascination and disbelief. The final episode of “Clipped” left me feeling both satisfied and unsettled.

Toward the end of “Clipped,” Shelly Sterling gazes at a newspaper headline with sadness, expressing her feelings with a sigh. She places it in her husband Donald’s lap as he relaxes in the sun, naked and seemingly unfazed, despite having endured a week of public humiliation. The headline reads: “Ferguson Undergoes Remarkable Change.” That’s the final image we have of Mr. Sterling in the show.

Although it may not be the most nuanced moment, this instance carries great significance for several reasons. Notably, “Keep Smiling” is a collaboration between Rembert Browne, whose powerful piece for Grantland, titled “The Front Lines of Ferguson,” continues to resonate as one of the most impactful writings on the tumultuous events in Missouri. The phrase “so sad” spoken by Shelly leaves room for interpretation; a compassionate observer might perceive her as expressing concern over the lingering racial prejudices that continue to plague our society. (It is also worth noting that such an observer may not wish to delve deeper into this topic.) However, it’s essential to recognize that the Sterlings are in no way connected to the events in Ferguson, despite their substantial contributions to the issue at hand.

Also relating to the episode is this key passage from Browne’s article:

The experiences of being Black in America have involved a longstanding struggle between peaceful resistance and self-defense. It’s been about enduring hardships and waiting for change, as well as taking action when necessary. This latest situation represents yet another moment in the ongoing saga of “what comes next?” for Black America.

The Clippers, led by Doc Rivers, faced a challenging predicament during a championship-worthy season, as they had the potential to make history for the historically underperforming Los Angeles franchise. Elgin Baylor, a former Clipper executive, had once employed nonviolent resistance before eventually taking legal action against the controversial owner, Sterling, with limited success. Now, Doc and his team grappled with the decision of whether they could have taken stronger action against Sterling’s divisive behavior, potentially disrupting the league and country. In recalling this conversation with Chris Paul, Doc referenced Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who made a bold statement by raising their fists in a Black Power salute during the 1968 Olympics. Despite the backlash they faced at the time, their courage is now celebrated on an international stage. In contrast, the Clippers’ subdued protests through wearing black socks and turning their jerseys inside out may not leave a lasting impact on history.

I have been a professional athlete for many years, and I’ve seen my fair share of controversies both on and off the field. After our recent game, there was a protest that took place which gained significant attention. Looking back, I must admit that I wasn’t privy to all the details beforehand. However, I chose not to speak up about it at the time. Deep down, I wasn’t thrilled with what transpired, but if that’s what my teammates felt strongly about, then so be it. It’s a part of being in a diverse team, and everyone has the right to express their opinions. In hindsight, I wish I had engaged in a more productive conversation around the issue, but I can only learn from this experience and strive to do better next time.

Despite the show raising an intriguing query to the audience: To what extent should Rivers and the Clipper players be held accountable for not reacting more strongly to Sterling’s racism? Browne’s article in Ferguson highlights the dilemma between “waiting it out” versus “taking action” and “turning the other cheek” versus “self-defense.” This predicament was apparent for the Clippers’ team long before the Sterling tape leak to TMZ. Everyone was aware of Sterling’s controversial past. For Doc and his players, it meant a tough decision to continue playing under such circumstances – a common challenge for Black individuals pursuing their aspirations in a prejudiced society. Crafting an adequate response on short notice wasn’t simple, particularly for a team that had worked hard to block out external distractions. It’s no surprise then that Doc’s most enraged moment in “Clipped” occurs when Sterling casually enters the locker room post-game – their last sanctuary.

Towards the end of Clipped, Shelly Sterling becomes the focus after being given some leeway to portray herself as a victim of her husband’s infidelity and blatant racism. With little time left to sell the team, she starts entertaining potential buyers – including Adam Silver and the league – for a franchise that had skyrocketed 16,000 percent from the Sterlings’ initial $12 million investment. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the new owner of the LA Times, is warmly welcomed with “every type of sushi you can imagine.” Other names like Oprah Winfrey and David Geffen emerge, as well as Shelly’s longtime adversary, Magic Johnson. The most enticing bidder contacts her in the dead of night: Steve Ballmer, worth over $20 billion from Microsoft, is prepared to pay $2 billion in cash for the Clippers, a proposition that thrills Shelly and delights her with his well-known enthusiasm.

An major hurdle in completing the sale is Sterling himself, as he gruffly listens to Ballmer’s proposal without any intention of agreeing. He derisively comments, “What an fool to keep that money in cash,” and dismisses him. So, Shelly and her legal team resort to “Plan B.” This plan utilizes an altered provision in the Sterlings’ trust, which grants Shelly control of their assets if Donald is deemed incapacitated. A disturbing interview with Anderson Cooper, where Sterling displays a brief and unconvincing apology before launching into a bitter attack against Johnson, intensifies the situation. However, Shelly’s cunning use of a cognitive test to reveal his dementia strengthens her case in court. (It is true that Sterling did exclaim, “Get away from me, you pig,” to his wife loudly enough following his testimony for it to be recorded.) Ultimately, she manages to finalize the sale and enhance her “kindly elderly woman” persona in public opinion.

Shelly relentlessly pursues V. Stiviano with a vengeance, seeking to further damage her reputation and finances. After being publicly shamed in the PR battle that drains V.’s resources through legal fees without the anticipated payoff, V. finds herself facing a lawsuit from Shelly over $2.8 million worth of gifts, including a duplex and cars given by Sterling during their relationship. Before an assault in a racist bar that leaves physical marks on her carefully crafted image, V. confides in a friend that she is currently residing in an Airbnb in Van Nuys, despite having been offered a job opportunity in San Antonio. The humiliation and financial ruin inflicted upon V. need not be intensified, but the courts, which favor the wealthy like Shelly Sterling, offer little hope for her.

At an upscale hotel restaurant, Clipped finally pays Shelly back for her wrongdoings, but with a generous dose of dramatic exaggeration. First, her friend Justine confronts Shelly about the V. lawsuit and her supposed plan to give her housekeeper Gladys the duplex, even though Gladys wouldn’t truly own it. Justine criticizes Shelly for not being serious about her divorce and treating Gladys in the same way as her husband did with V. and the Clippers organization. (“You two are a perfect match. You both believe you have the power to control everyone.”) Then, Doc, who had previously shown sympathy towards Shelly, enters the conversation to challenge her claim of sacrificing anything by selling the team. According to the deal with Ballmer, Shelly still receives 12 tickets for every game, VIP passes, and other privileges, including three championship rings if the team ever wins the title. Thus, Shelly’s punishment for her involvement in Sterling’s racism is insignificant.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but be moved by the poignant finale that pays tribute to Baylor. Working under Sterling for an astounding 22 years as the GM was no small feat, and hearing his controversial views exposed to the public through recordings pales in comparison to the daily struggles Baylor endured.

Olowokandies

LeVar Burton’s device in the show may seem unnecessary and clunky at times, but his personal story about playing Kunta Kinte in “Roots” adds depth and allows for thought-provoking racial commentary. He explains, “I keep the chains on my living room wall as a reminder to my guests. I’m your friend, but inside, I harbor deep anger.”

• Perhaps the West Coast Donald Trump comparison is too tidy, but when Sterling lashes out at Anderson Cooper about racism (“I think you have more of a plantation mentality than I do. I think you’re more a racist than I am”), it sounds exactly like Trump calling himself “the least racist person” in the world. And, to extend the analogy further, the popular idea that Melania, like Shelly, detests her unfaithful and boorish husband misses the more straightforward reading that both couples are still married and likely share each other’s points of view.

In this episode, there aren’t many humorous moments. However, Sterling’s interruption of his own lawyer during court proceedings to object to a lengthy objection, only for Shelly to implore him from the witness stand to calm down, is an amusing instance of self-destruction.

The authentic account of Doc Rivers’ house being destroyed in a fire, which he suspects was an racially charged incident, provides significant background information for his role in the Sterling controversy.

Criticizing the “Obama tax” in light of a 16,000-fold return on investment is a common wealthy attitude.

2024-07-22 18:35

Clipped Series-Finale Recap: Rebuilding

Olowokandies

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