Have a problem with Robert Sarver? Give him a call!
Prior to this news coming out, our biggest criticism of Sarver was that he was cheap. Those were the simpler days.
The Phoenix Suns are rolling along, racking up wins and holding the best record in the West. They just gave their GM (James Johnson) a multi-year extension. And, in case you forgot, the NBA is in the midst of an investigation of Robert Sarver, the Suns controlling partner who allegedly used misogynistic and racist language and created a hostile work environment.
Prior to this news coming out, my biggest criticism of Sarver was that he was cheap. I miss the simpler days.
At any rate, the league's investigation is churning behind the scenes prior to what I expect will be strongly worded denunciation of inappropriate behavior, an announcement of new systems to safeguard against future occurrences like this, and a possible monetary redistribution to programs that oppose misogyny and racism.
Why does it feel like you've seen this show before? Because the NBA already ran this show in 2018 under the title, Mark Cuban didn't realize all this gropey, skeezy, awful, inappropriate shit was going on with the Dallas Mavericks.
Cuban was able to plead ignorance and the accusations weren't specifically directed at him (as they are with Sarver). Cuban didn't have his controlling stake swiftly stripped like Donald Sterling, and neither will Sarver. Cuban apologized, opened his checkbook, and promises for change were offered.
So the Suns investigation has been rolling a minute, and what's the update we get from the worldwide leader?
As the NBA nears the fourth month of its investigation into the Phoenix Suns and majority owner Robert Sarver, the team is working toward creating a confidential internal hotline in the coming weeks for employees to report complaints, team sources told ESPN.
On Monday, a Suns executive explained to colleagues that the reason for creating the internal hotline is because "no one actually uses the NBA hotline at all."
Ah. I see. No one uses that phone line, so we'll just make a different one. People will definitely use this new anonymous tip line. I'd love to be in the office when that suggestion was floated. For sure. Especially when the article contains this nugget:
Suns employees were made aware of the NBA's hotline in a February 2018 email from team president and CEO Jason Rowley. It was noted in the email that the callers have the option to remain anonymous, but a disclaimer was included: "Note that if you make an anonymous complaint, someone could still guess your identity from the circumstances or other information you provide."
Yes, there is always a risk of being identified in any sort of anonymous reporting scenario. But if people don't trust the anonymous hotline set up by the league — what makes you think they are going to trust the one set up by the team itself? Especially when the team is still directly controlled by the person facing these allegations.
And futile gesture though this is, does it really take nearly four months to set up an anonymous tip line? Four months? Seriously?
I'll bet it took so long because Sarver didn't want to pay for it.
About last night…
Steph's shot is still shaky, Draymond is out, and Iguodala is very old. Klay is working his way back into shape — but that didn't stop him from tossing multiple behind-the-back passes for assists. But the highlight of the night is from the kid. Remember, Jon Kuminga re-classified in high school. The kid should be a college freshman.
Never meet your heroes, because they'll disappoint you. That might be true for everyone else on the Lakers, but Austin Reaves surely is still impressed by LeBron — or dumbfounded, because whatever LeBron just told him to do was not in the English language:
The Wizards conjured some serious magic — making a 35 point lead disappear and making the homeless man's Joe Ingles look 35% less lame in the process. Props to the Nard Dog. That's a Doc Rivers-level collapse for Washington.
Speaking of collapses... James Harden was reportedly crushed under the weight of trying to carry the Nets without his superstar companions against the Lakers. No wonder Harden may want to visit other strip clubs explore his options this summer. It's a heavy load.
Cade Cunningham, the best rookie since... Michael Jordan? I find it hard to believe, but I'll be in the building Sunday evening for his highly anticipated matchup with Evan Mobley. For now, though:
Anthony Edwards joins... elite company? Also fairly shocked that Kobe never did this — seems like a very Kobe thing.
