Magic Speaks Out on Sterling
COSTELLO: He's been the target of several shocking remarks by Donald Sterling, and now Magic Johnson is speaking out. In an exclusive interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Johnson talks about how he met the embattled Clippers owner, that picture with V. Stiviano that sparked Sterling's racist rant, and the surprising way Sterling wanted Magic's help in soothing over the controversy.</s>ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: When you first heard the audiotape that was released a couple of weeks ago, what did you think?</s>JOHNSON: Well, I was just -- I was blown away. I was -- I couldn't believe that he had said those things, first of all, made those statements, those racist statements, and then, you know, threw me in, "Don't bring him to my games." And so you personally attack me. And so -- and I had known Donald, not very well. I knew him. I have met with him three or four times, been to his office.</s>COOPER: So, how -- I mean, so you -- so were you guys friends?</s>JOHNSON: I would say we were friends. My first trip, when I got here in L.A. over 35 -- about 35 years ago, Dr. Buss took me to his beach house for his annual beach house party in the summertime. So that was one of the first things that I did. So, to reflect back to that, to these statements he made about myself and minorities, it was just disappointing. It was -- I was in disbelief that he would say these things, and then, you know, to throw me into the situation. I don't know the young lady, barely know Donald. So now I'm caught in the middle of this love affair or whatever they have. And so it was sort of disappointing. But I had to respond in terms of, OK, you don't want me to come to your games, I won't come to your games. You don't have to worry about that. But, also, I was upset because he threw minorities in, African- Americans, Latinos, into this situation. And so I had to speak up.</s>COOPER: When -- first of all, you said you were photographed with V. Stiviano. You're probably photographed with...</s>JOHNSON: Millions of people.</s>COOPER: Millions of people. Do you know her? He claimed in this interview that I did with him the other day, he said you knew her, you knew her well.</s>JOHNSON: These are the facts, Anderson. I never met this young lady. I took a picture with her, probably, it looked like at a Dodger game. That is it. That's all I know of her. And then he says I'm trying to set him up. How am I trying to set you up? These are the facts. I was sitting in my office. I get a call from Donald Sterling.</s>COOPER: He called you?</s>JOHNSON: He called me. I took the call.</s>COOPER: Apparently, he has your phone number.</s>JOHNSON: Yes. Yes. His assistant called my assistant. And she put him through. And this is what happened. He asked me to go on the Barbara Walters show with him.</s>COOPER: This was, what, a week, week-and-a-half ago?</s>JOHNSON: This was a week ago.</s>COOPER: Because he met with Barbara on a Friday about week-and-a-half ago.</s>JOHNSON: Exactly. It was before that. I told him I wouldn't do it. I said, the number one thing you need to do, which you haven't done, is apologize to everybody and myself. "I will get to that. I will get to that."</s>COOPER: So, he wanted you to go on with Barbara Walters sitting next to him?</s>JOHNSON: Sitting next to him.</s>COOPER: To kind of give him cover or...</s>JOHNSON: Exactly. So, I said no. Then I told him. I said, Donald, you should consult with your attorneys. I said, this thing is a big thing. And you should deal with your attorneys and let them advise you on what to do. But I said, you need to go public and apologize to everybody.</s>COOPER: How did he respond to that?</s>JOHNSON: "Well, I will apologize later. But I want you to go on this show." He was adamant about me going on the show with him. And I told him, no, I wouldn't do it. And that's what happened.</s>COOPER: That's it?</s>JOHNSON: And then I called Adam Silver, our great commissioner, and told him what had happened.</s>COOPER: You told Adam Silver that Donald Sterling had called you?</s>JOHNSON: Had just called. And so I wanted him to know that it happened, so he wouldn't be blindsided either. And so I -- and then I called all my people to let them know Donald Sterling had just called me.</s>COSTELLO: OK. Let's talk about this. Otis Birdsong, chairman of the NBA Retired Players Association, former NBA all star, joins me, as well as Marc Lamont Hill, CNN political commentator and host of "Huff Post Live." Welcome to both of you.</s>MARC LAMONT HILL, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Good morning.</s>COSTELLO: Good morning. So, Otis, I was struck by how gracious Magic Johnson was in this interview. He also said he feels sad and sorry for Sterling, that he'll pray for him. I don't know if I would have had that in me.</s>HILL: I would not have.</s>COSTELLO: Otis, go on.</s>OTIS BIRDSONG, CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSN: Magic is a gracious person. I consider him a great friend. And I really enjoy watching this interview. And no, I would not -- I don't have any sadness or remorse for Mr. Sterling. I just wish he would just go away.</s>COSTELLO: I think at this point, Marc Lamont Hill, everybody wishes Donald Sterling would just go away. But I don't think he will.</s>HILL: No, he can't. This is part of the lack of humility, the lack of self awareness that you see in many people like Donald Sterling. He still doesn't accept he's a racist. Even as we saw in this amazing Donald -- this amazing Magic Johnson interview, in the midst of being told he should apologize, he says, I'll get to that. Right now I need you on Barbara Walters. It's always prioritizing his needs over the needs of others, even when he's hurt people. Donald Sterling might even be losing it a little upstairs. I mean, I'm really worried about his mental health. At the same time, I want him out of the league because he's a racist.</s>COSTELLO: Well, Otis, I think maybe Magic Johnson didn't want to go there but that's what he meant. He feels sad for him because this is the destruction of -- I don't want to put words -- go ahead.</s>BIRDSONG: He has a history -- he has a history of this. I mean, I don't feel sad for him. I mean, I'm not surprised. We've known about this for years. And I just wish, you know, the board of governors would go ahead and make the vote and get him out of here so we can move on and focus on this wonderful basketball that's being displayed during the playoffs. It's just sad that it's taken away from the great players that are just performing so wonderfully this playoff season.</s>COSTELLO: I know. The game last night, Marc. I mean -- I know the Clippers lost by one point, but it was a thrilling game to watch.</s>BIRDSONG: Yes. I mean, it's interesting, because there's two things going on, right? There's this amazing OKC-Clippers game going on last night and half of us wondering if the Clippers win, what Mrs. Sterling do? Run out on the floor? What's the facial expression of the fans and players and owners at this time? I mean, so much stuff going on, it is a distraction from the playoffs. And as he said, one of the great playoffs we have seen in the last decade, maybe longer. But this is a super distraction but nothing can be done about it. This is going to be such a long, protracted legal battle that as much as we would like to see a quick resolution to this, it won't be quick and it won't be pretty.</s>COSTELLO: No. It won't. And, Otis, you know, my dream is that Magic Johnson buys the Clippers, because I think that would be such wonderful cosmic justice, right? He did address that with Anderson Cooper. He says he's interested in buying a basketball team. Maybe not the Clippers, maybe the Clippers. He kind of left it open. But wouldn't that be a beautiful thing?</s>BIRDSONG: It would be a beautiful thing. But I think Magic might put a group of investors to buy the Clippers, but Magic's heart is with the Lakers. I'm sure he has a Laker t-shirt under his suit every day. I don't think Magic is going to buy the Clippers.</s>COSTELLO: I don't know. I'm a betting woman Otis.</s>BIRDSONG: Nah, not going to happen.</s>COSTELLO: Not going to happen. Otis Birdsong, Marc Lamont Hill, I want you both to stick around because I'm going to ask you about the lessons learned from all of this, that after a break.