This summer marks the two-year anniversary of the NBA’s swift and decisive ban on former Clipper’s owner Donald Sterling, following leaked audiotape of him making casual racial slurs in private. Since his fine, lifetime ban, and sale of the team to Microsoft founder Steve Ballmer, little else has been heard of Sterling—who’s retreated to a private life—or of his estranged wife, Shelly.
Now James Rainey of NBC News has obtained and shared comments from Shelly Sterling indicating that she felt her husband’s punishment was too harsh, and she has asked the league to lift the ban.
She said, via Rainey, “I couldn't understand the severity of the ban. It just seemed a little bit out of line. I have talked to [the NBA] several times, and I don't know what they will do. Maybe they will and maybe they won't [lift the ban]. Maybe it takes a little bit more time.”
League officials have made no indication that they are entertaining the plea. It is not surprising, considering that Donald referred to the the league as “a band of hypocrites and bullies” during the weeks after the scandal broke.
Donald Sterling revealed that he still watches the Clippers on TV, but remains content with his current situation. “I am as happy as I have ever been. I am as comfortable as I have ever been, and I don't want to do anything to disturb that,” he said.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.