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Well that was a rout. Kinda like the Seahawks against the Broncos in the Super Bowl #TooSoon?. In a ruling that was more shocking than the most dramatic Bachelor finale ever, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas not only ruled that Rochelle Shelley Sterling could lawfully sell the Los Angeles Clippers, but that any appeal by Donald Sterling would not block the sale of the team. If the NBA was looking for an ideal outcome, this was it. Impeccable legal execution by the lawyers. The team may now be sold to Steve Ballmer for $2 billion and Donald Sterling will likely be out as owner of the team by mid-August. What was yesterdays ruling about? Remember that Donald Sterling doesnt own the L.A. Clippers in his own personal capacity. The team is actually owned by the Sterling family trust. Inside that trust bucket is Donald and Rochelle Rochelle (Shelleys legal name is Rochelle according to the court documents). When the trust was created, though, Donald was given the decision making power. So if the team were ever to be sold, Donald would need to sign off on it. However, Rochelle could seize control of the trust if she could have Donald declared mentally incompetent by two doctors. And thats precisely what she did at the end of May when neurologist Dr. Meril Platzer and psychiatrist Dr. James Edward Spar found Donald to be mentally incompetent on the basis that he was reportedly suffering from Alzheimers disease. Donald has disputed this finding. In any event, once Donald was declared mentally incompetent, Rochelle grabbed control of the family trust and agreed to sell the team to Ballmer. So the trial in California probate court focused on this key issue: did Rochelle have the legal authority to sell the team? Judge Levanas ruled she did. The Judge then went one step further with a very surprising ruling. The Judge invoked Section 1310(b) of the California Probate Code, which effectively bars Donald from blocking the sale of the team even if he is appealing the Courts decision. Typically when a losing party appeals a decision, the lower court decision is suspended (or stayed). However, in this case it wont be. So while Sterlings right to appeal the decision is preserved, the appeal itself wont block the sale of the team. To see Section 1310(b) relied on by the Court was indeed unanticipated since its rarely used. Courts will rely on it only in extraordinary circumstances clearly requiring direction of the Court for sole purpose of preventing imminent injury or loss to person or property. For example, you may see this type of order where the sale price of property could be adversely impacted by delays while someone with medical needs waits on those proceeds to pay for treatment. This was not such a case. However, Rochelle was able to convince the Court that nobody else would pay close to the $2 billion that Ballmer is offering to pay, and if Donald was able to block the sale, a lot of money could be lost if Ballmer elected to walk away. While this is likely not the type of transaction generally contemplated by those who drafted Section 1310(b), the Court agreed that the sale needed to be preserved, thereby paving the way for the sale of the team. Donald does have a couple of lawsuits pending against the NBA, Commissioner Adam Silver and Rochelle in different courts. However, even if he is successful in these lawsuits, he will only get a monetary award. He likely wont be getting his team back. Donald could try and get an injunction blocking the sale of the team. He would need to show that he has a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of the case. Based upon the findings of the Court yesterday and the strong arguments the NBA has in favor of removing Sterling, securing an injunction doesnt seem likely. The NBA Constitution provides that punishments may be imposed on an owner who does anything that "adversely" impacts the league. While Donald engaged in a lawful conversation in provate, the NBA would argue that the impact of the conversation adversely impacted the league, with sponsors backing out, players considering boycotting games and fans not buying tickets. Indeed, it looks like the Clippers are taking their talents to Steve Ballmer. Patrick Murphy Blue Jays Jersey . Philbin said Thursday he wants players to treat one another with civility and he wont tolerate anything less. In taking questions for the first time since Ted Wells released his report into the bullying scandal that rocked the league, Philbin made it clear things would be cleaned up. Jack Morris Blue Jays Jersey . -- Canadian mens rugby coach Kieran Crowley has made four changes to his starting roster for Saturdays Pacific Nations Cup clash against the United States. https://www.cheapbluejays.com/1406h-matt...-blue-jays.html. -- Packers cornerback Tramon Williams has been fined $26,250 for contact with an official, per NFL guidelines. Custom Toronto Blue Jays Jerseys . -- Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton will be sidelined for at least two weeks because of a strained calf muscle, and pitcher C. Roberto Alomar Blue Jays Jersey . Edmonton opened the season with 14 straight victories before falling Friday night 10-8 to the host Colorado Mammoth in National Lacrosse League action.MONTREAL — Curtis Lazar has every reason to be smiling. The always good-humoured Ottawa Senators rookie on Monday was named captain of Canadas junior hockey team for the upcoming world championship in Toronto and Montreal. Im very honoured to have this opportunity, and Im going to take full advantage of it and go out there and play hard for my country, Lazar told reporters at a hockey charity event in Montreal. I know theres a lot of responsibility that comes along with this, but Im just going to try to take it in stride and be myself. Canadas coaching staff gave Lazar the news Monday morning, shortly after the team arrived in Montreal from Ottawa where Canada beat Sweden 5-2 in an exhibition game on Sunday. True to character, the Salmon Arm, B.C., native was grinning from ear to ear when he was told. As usual, I was smiling, said the 19-year-old, who was drafted 17th overall by the Senators in 2013. Its pretty cool. I didnt know it was coming. Anyone could have it. Im very honoured that my peers and my coaching staff think very highly of me. Im a pretty positive guy for the most part. Im always smiling and trying to keep the guys light. I like to lead by example. I really focus on little details, and I think that goes a long way. I want unity within the dressing room. Regardless of where youre from in Canada, were part of a team now. No one is bigger than the team. Lazar, who has a goal and six assists in 27 games with Ottawa this season, was loaned to Canada by the Senators last week. He is one of seven returning players from last years tournament in Malmo, Sweden, where Canada finished fourth. One year later, Lazar is thinking of redemption. I was disappointed with how we played last year and the result we got, he said, looking back on Canadas semifinal loss against Finland, and the defeat to Russia in the bronze-medal game. Second chances dont come around too often. Were fortunate to have this chance. Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters and Sam Reinhart of the Kootenay Ice will serve as alternate captains for the tournament, which officially gets underway on Dec. 26. McDavid and Reinhart also represented Canada at the 2014 junior championship and were teammates at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship, where the Canadians won the gold medal. The 17-year-old McDavid, whoo is touted as the best forward in the upcoming 2015 NHL draft, had nothing but praise for his new captain.dddddddddddd Hes always positive, and he always has a smile on his face, McDavid said of Lazar. Nothing seems to bring him down. Hes the perfect guy for the job. The ups and downs of this tournament are pretty crazy, but he never seems to go down. Hes going to be a good captain. McDavid, who played for the first time on Sunday since breaking his right hand in November, has a blistering 51 points for the Otters in 18 games this season. Reinhart, meanwhile, played nine games with the Buffalo Sabres at the start of this season before returning to the Western Hockey League in October. To wear a letter is something special, said McDavid. But there are 22 leaders on this team — its not just three guys. The letter is special, but everyone is a leader. Head coach Benoit Groulx knows exactly what kind of player it takes to lead a team to victory. Sam, Curtis and Connor have the same qualities, said Groulx, winner of three Quebec Major Junior Hockey League championships as head coach. Theyre great young men, they want to win, theyre great hockey players, and they want to make a difference. This is what you need in your leadership group. It was an obvious choice. Although hes just 19, Lazar wants to use his world junior and NHL experience to guide some of the younger players on Canadas roster. He says he wants them to pay attention to detail, and to really enjoy the tournament. But overall, Lazar wants to win. He wants to know what it means to wear a gold medal around his neck. It would be very cool, he said. Thats one thing I want to check off my junior resume. Canada plays one more exhibition game versus Switzerland on Tuesday before their tournament opens on Boxing Day with a game against Slovakia at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Notes: The Canadians will also play Germany, Finland and the United States in the group stage. … Canadas junior team gathered at McGill Universitys McConnell Arena in Montreal on Monday to help launch The Big Play program, which aims to get kids across the country in minor hockey. … Lazar also played at the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and with Canadas mens under-18 team. … The world junior gold medal game will be played Jan. 5 in Toronto. ' ' '