Clippers head coach Doc Rivers meets with organization employees Friday morning

Minutes into his meeting with media outlets after Friday’s afternoon practice, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers broke off from answering the opening question to discuss the aftermath of the Donald Sterling scandal and how it had been affecting the organization as a whole.

On Friday morning, Rivers went to downtown Los Angeles to meet with Clippers employees, ranging from ticket sellers to those who work in marketing, and spoke with them about the Sterling story that had become the dark cloud hanging over the Clippers.

“It was really hard to see them,” said Rivers. “I just felt so bad for them.”

Rivers said employees were in tears as they shared stories of them getting nasty phone calls and being called names and how they had a hard time dealing with the story as it broke. Rivers said that the employees even thought about not working.

On Tuesday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued down a lifetime ban on Sterling for  his racist remarks and a $2.5 million fine. Silver also stated that he would be doing everything in his power to force the sale of the Clippers.

“What I did today for me, was far more important than this stuff because they need it, they really do” said Rivers of the meeting. “They need it even more than our players do right now, they need somebody.”

Rivers said the meeting was arranged by the heads of departments within the organization.

“They needed someone to ask them to continue to work and support,” said Rivers. “You know, we are still tying to put this thing together.”

Game 7 of the Clippers and Warriors will be played Saturday at the Staples Center.