Ex-Clipper Cuttino Mobley -- I Feel Bad for Donald Sterling ... Here's Why

Former L.A. Clippers player Cuttino Mobley says he doesn't hate team owner Donald Sterling -- he actually feels sorry for the guy.

Mobley tells TMZ Sports ... he might actually understand where Sterling's hateful comments come from ... and he's not angry about it -- he feels pity for Sterling for going through life feeling that way.

"I feel bad for him ... being such an older person and still thinking like that in 2014."

And while Mobley says he never saw or heard Sterling do anything racist or offensive around him, he notes ..."If theres smoke in the city everywhere he goes when it comes to this type of situation, obviously, he's the one starting the fire."