The Suns toppled the Warriors 104-96 on Tuesday night, while the third of their four meetings this year will be the final game of ESPN’s NBA Christmas quintuple-header.
Nevermind that their owner is under investigation by the league for reported toxicity within the front office.
The Suns wrapped up their franchise-record 18th straight win last night over the lowly Detroit Pistons, with the streak now tied for 11th longest in league history. All Star guard Devon Booker left Tuesday night’s game with a hamstring injury, which is more significant considering his team-leading 23.2 points per game is not even dressed to participate.
A healthy Phoenix means a world of trouble for Lebron’s Lakers and Steph Curry’s Warriors in the race for Western Conference dominance, in what is likely Chris Paul’s last real shot at a ring.
As much as networks try to spin the positive for the Suns’ performance on the court, it is ESPN leading the charge to bring light of everything happening off of it.
A report by the network brings allegations of racism, misogyny and exhibitionism by owner Robert Sarver.
Sarver, 60, is reported to have used ethnic and racial slurs in the locker room addressing his team when Earl Watson was head coach, in addition to describing in detail sexual acts between he and wife Penny Sanders. One report states that Sarver used to show pictures of his wife around the office while describing these acts.
Sarver has been described as one of the most philanthropic owners in the league, while also being one of the cheapest with his on-court payroll. The Suns have yet to re-sign Deandre Ayton to a contract extension, as the 2018 top overall pick is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. Yet the Suns gave contract extensions to Booker and Paul to the tune of over $30 million each per year.
As co-owner of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, Sarver has a strong history of advancing minorities, women and LGBTQ individuals within the front office of both franchises. Sarver opposed the 2010 SB-1070 bill in Arizona that would have made it a misdemeanor for an undocumented immigrant to be in the state. After his father passed away from heart disease, Sarver became a heavy donor to University Heart Care on the campus of the University of Arizona in 1986. Two years later, the center would be renamed the Sarver Heart Center, but the goal remains to combat, research and treat heart disease.
The question is not Sarver’s charitable nature, but rather the story that goes on when cameras, public relations and league offices are not around. None of these allegations are simply the owner bragging up to his employees around the water cooler or coffee machine.
Sarver has the Suns in one of the more advantageous positions in the NBA. The franchise was supposed to be in the midst of a lengthy rebuild, but has turned into a championship contender literally overnight.
The last time we saw this level of allegation come against an NBA owner was with the Clippers and Donald Sterling. Ironically, Paul was the star of the Clippers when the NBA forced Sterling to sell the franchise to Steve Ballmer in 2014. The Clippers went from having the worst owner in the NBA to the best, once the sale became official. Ballmer now has the Clippers as more relevant than any time in their tumultuous history.
I cannot see a way that Sarver gives up control of the franchise, but the idea of being grouped in with James Dolan and the New York Knicks would certainly be in the conversation. Many times being found guilty in the court of public opinion is worse than a formal investigation by league offices.
-JC24