Los Angeles Clippers

LeBron James would actually consider giving up his shot at an NBA Championship ... if Donald Sterling owned the Miami Heat -- that's how ANGRY he is about Sterling's racist comments.

LeBron says, "I would really have to sit down with my teammates, talk to my family because at the end of the day, our family, and our teammates are way more important than that."

He added, "I hate the fact that something like this has to come out when the playoffs have been unbelievable ... but there is no room for Donald Sterling in our league.”

LBJ said he really feels for his good friend, and Clippers star, Chris Paul -- telling reporters in the Heat locker room ... "I can only imagine what’s going through his head.”

He also called for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to act swiftly and "make a stand" because Sterling's comments are unacceptable.

Shaq says the Donald Sterling audio is "repugnant" and if he had a vote at the NBA table he'd get rid of the Clippers owner.

Shaq tells TMZ sports he thinks at the very least Sterling should get a long suspension, but if push came to shove and Shaq himself had a say he'd boot Sterling permanently.

But ... Shaq disagrees with Magic Johnson, who told us he thinks African Americans should boycott Clippers games as long as Sterling owns the team.

Black or white ... doesn't matter -- Clippers head coach Doc Rivers says every one of his players is angry about Donald Sterling's racist comments and how it could affect them in the NBA Playoffs.

Doc called the team's playoff appearance as a "dream" for his players and emphasized that Donald Sterling had "nothing to do" with them making it this far.

The coach spoke to TMZ Sports before a team practice in San Fran and admitted it was going to be very difficult to get them focused for tomorrow's game against the Golden State Warriors -- but he added, "My job is to try to lead them" through this distraction.

Doc also said none of his players, regardless of race, are happy about Sterling's comments, telling us ... "J.J. Redick is as pissed as Chris Paul."

We asked Doc if Sterling had addressed the team directly yet -- he told us he can't concern himself with what Sterling is doing

Now that Magic Johnson has had a little time to process the racist comments of Donald Sterling -- directed at Magic himself -- he's very clear ... Sterling either has to sell the L.A. Clippers voluntarily or he should be forced to do it.

Magic tells TMZ Sports ... "He's got to give up the team," adding there's no place in the NBA for a racist.

And Magic says, Commissioner Adam Silver needs to give the ultimatum to Sterling -- sell or else.

Magic reaffirmed his call for a boycott by African-American fans, adding he will NEVER go to a Clippers game as long as Sterling owns the team.

Donald Sterling would fit in perfectly if he had lived on a cotton plantation before the Civil War ... so says ESPN analyst Chris Broussard -- who compared the team owner to an "antebellum slave master."

Broussard unloaded on Sterling Saturday on Twitter comparing him to a slave owner ... and said he would love to see BOTH teams boycott tomorrow's game.

Broussard adds, "Donald Sterling has the mentality of an antebellum slave master: he makes $ off Blacks but doesn't see them as equals deserving of respect."

Still no word on any sort of player protest being organized ... but the shot clock is quickly winding down.

Magic Johnson tells TMZ Sports ... he wants Donald Sterling to step down as the Clippers owner and he thinks African Americans should boycott the games until that happens.

Magic says he feels betrayed by Sterling, telling us, "I thought we were friends. We've broken bread together several times. It's almost like, do you smile in my face but behind my back you talk about me? I'd have felt better in 1979 if you would have just told me you don't like African Americans, and then I would have known how to deal with you."

Magic says he strongly believes the players should focus on playing basketball and should NOT boycott Sunday's playoff game. BUT, Magic thinks African Americans should not line Sterling's pockets by going to the games, saying, "He wants our money but doesn't want us to show up."

ESPN reporter Stephen A. Smith says several members of the L.A. Clippers considered not taking the floor tomorrow against the Golden State Warriors as a protest against team owner Donald Sterling.

Smith says several players on the team are FURIOUS after hearing the comments Sterling made to his girlfriend in an audio tape published by TMZ Sports.

Its unclear what will happen tomorrow -- but Reverend Jesse Jackson has suggested the team employ a "symbolic expression" to show their disdain and disapproval for Sterling.

Story developing ...

Clipper Darryl -- the unofficial mascot of the team -- says he's deeply saddened by Donald Sterling's comments ... saying he still loves the team, but hates the organization.

Darryl spoke with TMZ Sports moments ago ... saying, "To know that the man responsible for putting me on the team plane to attend a playoff game in 2006 didn't like Black people at his games is upsetting."

"Furthermore, to disrespect a legend like Magic Johnson who has dedicated his career to unite people, is a travesty."

Darryl also says he believes the audio explains why he received "unjust treatment" from the organization in the past.

Looks like Deandre Jordan got Jesse Jackson's message ... 'cause almost an hour after the Reverend called for a "symbolic expression" among Clipper players to protest Donald Sterling -- their star center seemingly obliged.

Deandre took to Instagram minutes ago and posted a blacked out pic ... which was done last year to show support for Trayvon Martin by people across the country.

The Clippers star didn't caption the photo ... but like they say ... a picture is worth a thousand words.

The NBA has launched an investigation into the audio recording of Donald Sterling ... TMZ Sports has learned.

NBA Executive Vice President of Communications Mike Bass issued a statement saying, "We are in the process of conducting a full investigation into the audio recording obtained by TMZ."

He continues, "The remarks heard on the recording are disturbing and offensive, but at this time we have no further information."

Snoop Dogg is going OFF on Donald Sterling ... blasting the L.A. Clippers owner for being a "racist piece of s**t" ... and it's all on video.

Snoop unloaded first thing this morning when he heard the audio posted by TMZ Sports for the first time -- dropping so many cuss words at Sterling ... that Richard Pryor would be proud.

Check out the clip ... Snoop calls Sterling "bitch-ass redneck, white bread, chicken s**t mother f***er."

But you gotta watch to fully grasp Snoop's outrage.

Chris Paul isn't distancing himself from the Clippers in the wake of racist comments made by team owner Donald Sterling -- in fact, he's still sporting Clippers gear in the team hotel.

Paul looked stoic as he walked through the halls of the team hotel in San Francisco this morning -- as the team gets ready to take on Golden State tomorrow in the NBA playoffs.

Rev. Jesse Jackson and other leaders have called on Paul -- and other Clippers players -- to employ some kind of "symbolic expression" to show their condemnation of Sterling's comments.

We'll see what Paul and the Clips do when they take the floor against the Warriors on Sunday.

Reverend Al Sharpton is calling for the NBA to investigate Donald Sterling ASAP -- telling TMZ Sports, "No one should be allowed to own a team if they have in fact engaged in this kind of racial language."

Sharpton is calling for the league to make an investigation into Sterling its #1 priority -- adding, "We are prepared at National Action Network to rally in front of the NBA headquarters if this matter is not immediately dealt with."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Sterling -- who owns the L.A. Clippers -- went off on his girlfriend for hanging out with black people in public and told her NOT to bring black people to his games.

We shot Sharpton moments ago at La Guardia airport and he gave more details on the possible rally.

Atlanta Hawks exec Dominique Wilkins -- former NBA great -- tells TMZ Sports ... he's not surprised by Donald Sterling's racist comments ... claiming racism is still a huge problem in the United States.

"As a VP for the Hawks it is appalling to wake up to this story," Wilkins says ... "It is in no way anything that I know MY NBA at ANY level to promote, condone or harbor behind closed doors or openly."

But Wilkins explains, "As a black man living in the South, this is not something that is a surprise. Racism is prevalent, still a problem and something that can NOT be taken lightly in ANY context!”

He continues, "As a former Clipper, I feel for the community of LA. It is a melting pot of culture and ALL races. For Clipper fans, staff and players, I do hope this is dealt with swiftly and justly. It is just totally disappointing."

Reverend Jesse Jackson is calling for Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and the rest of the Clippers to employ some kind of "symbolic expression" to protest the statements made by team owner Donald Sterling.

We just spoke with Jackson ... who tells us he's outraged by Sterling's racist comments -- and says it puts the players in an awkward situation, due to the fact they have a playoff game tomorrow.

Jackson says the league "must respond and respond quickly" -- and says the players should do something during the game to "show a sign of indignation."

Rapper Meek Mill is blasting Donald Sterling -- saying the Los Angeles Clippers owner is the "definition of racism" ... but doesn't think he will be punished.

"Donald sterling is the definition of racism .... He could b your judge.... Your doctor.....you teacher etc" Mill wrote on Twitter early Saturday morning.

He added, "I bet nothing happens 2 him!"

Mill is clearly referring to the audio posted by TMZ Sports, in which you can clearly hear Sterling tell his GF not to bring black people to Clippers games.