The Donald Sterling saga continues. His ejection from the NBA is not yet final until the other 29 owners vote him out. He makes a fervent appeal and asks forgiveness, but who will listen?

There is another celebrity, an NBA legend on the court and one of the more prominent figures in Los Angeles lore who was dragged right in the middle of this controversy-and somehow, Sterling will not let him out of this unscathed.

In excerpts released from his interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Sterling, in the midst of his apology, somehow brought up Johnson's shortcomings.

Donald Sterling's statements from CNN:

"I'm not a racist. I made a terrible mistake. I'm here to apologize."

"If I said anything wrong, I'm sorry," He's(Magic Johnson)  a good person. I mean, what am I going to say? Has he done everything he can do to help minorities? I don't think so. But I'll say it, he's great. But I don't think he's a good example for the children of Los Angeles." 

"I'm a good member who made a mistake. Am I entitled to one mistake, am I after 35 years? I mean, I love my league, I love my partners. Am I entitled to one mistake? It's a terrible mistake, and I'll never do it again.''

On the question of why he took a full two weeks before coming out and making a statement:

"The reason it's hard for me, very hard for me, is that I'm wrong. I caused the problem. I don't know how to correct it."

While the NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has made the decision, it's still in the hands of the owners. Silver expressed confidence that the majority of the owners will vote to support his decision.

Meanwhile, Shelly Sterling, Donald's wife, has vowed to fight for her own stake on the team. It may turn out to be a long and ugly legal battle but she argues that she should not be punished for her husband's statements.