The Sixers euphemistically “parted ways” with Bryan Colangelo on Thursday, a full week after a story from The Ringer led to a Twitter scandal investigation. The results: a law firm determined Colangelo’s wife controlled the burners without his knowledge, but that he was careless in sharing sensitive information with her she then made public. Whatever the case, I wrote that the Colangelos and, by extension, the NBA failed the Sixers.
Bryan Colangelo’s self-serving resignation letter, annotated
We have that and more in Friday’s NBA newsletter.
John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Colangelo still denies culpability and released a letter to that effect. Since we annotated Sam Hinkie’s resignation letter in some detail (we put it on Genius!) it’s only fair that we dig in on this one, too. Let’s go.
While I am grateful that the independent investigation conducted by the 76ers has confirmed that I had no knowledge of or involvement in the Twitter activity conducted by my wife, I vigorously dispute the allegation that my conduct was in any way reckless. At no point did I ever purposefully or directly share any sensitive, non-public, club-related information with her.
The investigation was *good* when it exonerated me and *bad* when it still blamed me. Got it?
Her actions were a seriously misguided effort to publicly defend and support me ...
[tells wife to lay down on the asphalt]
... and while I recognize how inappropriate these actions were ...
[revs up bus engine]
... she acted independently and without my knowledge or consent.
[hits the gas]
Further, the content she shared was filled with inaccuracies and conjecture which in no way represent my own views or opinions.
He’s not only blaming his wife for everything, he’s calling her tweets fake news too. Ay, caramba. (This is the most CYA legal impact sentences in the whole thing.)
While this was obviously a mistake, we are a family and we will work through this together.
Step 1 to working through this together: stop pointing out she messed up in literally every sentence.
Although I am not directly responsible for the actions, I regret this incident occurred and understand that it has become a distraction for the team. Therefore, the organization and I have mutually agreed to part ways.
This is among the worst attempts at magnanimity I have ever seen. It’s like Louis XVI saying he and the people of France agree to disagree as he runs off to Varennes.
Over the last two years, I have worked hard to help build a foundation for what I hope will soon be many championship seasons for the 76ers.
A foundation? No, no, no, no, no. You’re not getting away with this. The dude you shoved aside — Sam Hinkie — built the foundation. You added some nice decor using his materials and then took a sledgehammer to the one wall you put up when you decided to parlay with Danny Ainge. You don’t get credit for the Sixers’ eventual greatness.
[...] I want to thank the many colleagues, players, and friends from around the League and elsewhere who have expressed their support and encouragement during this difficult and painful time for me and my family.
”Please hire me.”
End of the LeBronian Restoration?
The NBA season, and thus LeBron James’ second reign in Cleveland, could end on Friday as the Warriors attempt to finish a sweep (9 p.m. ET, ABC).
I wrote about the shades of 2014 in this series. LeBron and the Cavaliers looked pretty helpless in the Finals last season, though the marvel of the new Warriors was fresh and Golden State destroyed everyone. The Rockets made Golden State look plausibly mortal again, but Cleveland just absolutely does not stack up. It feels like that final Heat series against the Spurs, when it was obvious Miami no longer had the juice as the supporting cast got thinner and older.
Whether the Cavaliers go out in four or five games, the whole next month is going to be rightly devoted to LeBron Watch. Prepare thyselves.
Links galore
Evan Sidery on the sense of closure surrounding Deandre Ayton’s workout with the Suns. I don’t know if new coach Igor Kokosov is going to play fast, and I don’t know that the Suns have point guard figured out, and I don’t know how quickly Ayton will adjust to the faster NBA, but this at least has high potential for a highly enjoyable roster.
In Game 4, the Cavaliers’ margin for error is nonexistant.
Bomani Jones had me cracking up talking about the second phase of Red Panda’s glorious career.
Has Ohio accepted that LeBron can and perhaps should depart this summer without hard feelings?
Contract extension for Alvin Gentry. Well deserved.
Kevin Durant and Kendrick Perkins traded profanities during KD’s press conference. I miss the old Thunder.
Speaking of Kerr, here’s a good Marc Spears piece on how the coach earns his players’ respect by speaking truth to power.
Kawhi Leonard trade talks will apparently wait until the draft.
More on the rise of Saras Jasikevicius as a coach, given his candidacy in Toronto.
If the Sixers don’t keep Amir Johnson, they should totally try to land Ed Davis. I’m of the mind that every team should try to sign Ed Davis.
And finally: Giannis Antetokounmpo is now a snack blogger. Can’t wait for his take on Takis.
Be excellent to each other, and yourself.
See More:
