Several years ago, the Los Angeles Clippers was rocked by a scandal which now serves as the basis for the show Clipped. Turns out, Laurence Fishburne didn’t know who Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers was before he played him in the said show.

Apr 3, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers calls a play in the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

In 2014, a recording featuring a conversation between Clippers owner Donald Sterling and his mistress, V. Stiviano. In the recording, Sterling expressed his displeasure over an Instagram photo of Stiviano with Magic Johnson by saying he didn’t want her to associate with black people or bring them to Clippers games.

Feb 9, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers yells out instructions against the Charlotte Hornets in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
The recording gained significant media attention and led to legal actions. The Clippers held a meeting to address the incident, with coaches and players expressing anger and briefly considering boycotting a playoff game. Instead, they protested by wearing their shirts inside-out to obscure the team logo.

The situation garnered widespread condemnation from NBA players, including LeBron James, Kevin Johnson, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan, as well as from sponsors and public figures like President Barack Obama.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver took swift action, banning Sterling from the league for life, imposing a $2.5 million fine, and stripping him of his authority over the Clippers. Silver also announced intentions to force Sterling to sell the team, pending the approval of three-quarters of the other NBA team owners. The punishment was considered one of the harshest ever imposed on a professional sports team owner.

Laurence Fishburne Admits He Had No Idea Who Milwaukee Bucks Coach Doc River Was

Feb 17, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Movie actor Laurence Fishburne poses in the press room at the 43rd NAACP Image Awards at the Shrine Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Sterling’s scandal formed the basis of Hulu’s Clipped, a miniseries shown on FX. Interestingly enough, Fishburne had no idea who Rivers was before he accepted the role of playing him in the show, as written in an article by Adam Wells for Bleacher Report.

“It turns out the allure of playing Doc Rivers in a television series about the Los Angeles Clippers didn’t mean too much to Laurence Fishburne. Appearing on Tuesday’s episode of The Dan Patrick Show, the actor revealed he had no idea who Rivers was when he was offered the role on the FX on Hulu miniseries Clipped.

Fishburne’s explanation that he’s not a sports fan does take away some of the sting. It would be different if he watched basketball and had somehow never come across Rivers’ name, either as a player or head coach,” Wells wrote.

It should be remembered Rivers was a key individual during the height of that scandal. At this point in time, he is the Bucks’ current head coach for a roster that boasts two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and All-Star point guard Damian Lillard.

Mar 12, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers looks on during the National Anthem at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Hulu’s Clipped will surely shed some light on what Rivers’ part in that scandal several years ago. For sure, Fishburne is now familiar with the former Clippers coach, even though he’s not a fan of the sport.
Apr 30, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

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