Los Angeles Clippers

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.

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.

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."

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.

The L.A.. Clippers should BOYCOTT the playoffs ... and refuse to step on the court until the NBA takes action against Donald Sterling ... so says Keith Olbermann.

Olbermann went to Twitter this morning -- after TMZ Sports posted audio of the Clippers owner telling his GF not to bring black people to his games -- and railed against Sterling.

"time for #Clippers players to step up. Refuse to play till NBA moves against this racist jackass #Sterling. NBA can't defend him.'

Olbermann also notes, "I was banned by the #Clippers for criticism of the front office - in 1986. This made me the envy of every other LA sports media person."

Chris Paul has a serious decision to make about how he will lead the L.A. Clippers ... after hearing the racist statements made by team owner Donald Sterling ... so says ex-NBA player Rashad McCants.

McCants -- a former first round pick who played for the Timberwolves -- says it's up to Chris Paul and other team leaders to sit with the team and decide how they will handle the situation.

"If you guys are not saying anything about this ... it just speaks to your leadership."

"They gotta have a sit-down and an understanding of where to go from there."

Magic Johnson tells TMZ Sports ... "it's a shame" that Donald Sterling feels his girlfriend shouldn't bring black people to Clippers games.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Sterling went crazy on his GF after she posted a photo of her with Magic on Instagram -- with Sterling saying she shouldn't be seen in public with blacks.

Magic tells us, "It's a shame that Donald Sterling feels that way about African-Americans."

He adds, "He has a team full of amazing African-American basketball players that are working to bring a championship to Clippers fans. The Clippers also have a strong minority fan base."

Drake and Rihanna are together -- we know it, you know it, they know it -- yet they continue to the charade of separating in public ... this time sitting far apart during Wednesday night's Clippers game.

They seemed to wave and smile at each other during the game, and at one point just couldn't resist the temptation for a big hug -- otherwise .... they kept their distance.

It's also possible the two wanted to avoid the pressures of the KISS CAM ... where they would have been forced to smooch in front of an arena full of people.