The Phoenix Suns knew a bombshell story about Suns owner Robert Sarver’s alleged racism and misogyny was coming. They went as far as to try to preempt ESPN’s report with a series of statements last month. And on Thursday, that report from Baxter Holmes was finally published, and oh man, it was a terrible look for Sarver and the Suns.
Among the allegations detailed in the report was a 2016 conversation between Sarver and then-head coach Earl Watson. According to the story, Sarver went into Watson’s office to complain about Draymond Green’s use of the N-word during the game. Sarver, though, used the N-word himself repeatedly in that rant despite Watson, who is Black, telling him to stop.
Via ESPN:
“You know, why does Draymond Green get to run up the court and say [N-word],” Sarver, who is white, allegedly said, repeating the N-word several times in a row.
“You can’t say that,” Watson, who is Black and Hispanic, told Sarver.
“Why?” Sarver replied. “Draymond Green says [N-word].”
“You can’t f—ing say that,” Watson said again.
Well, that detail appeared to catch the attention of Draymond because shortly after the story hit ESPN’s site, the Warriors forward took to Twitter with his reaction.
But I was fined?? Lol smh
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) November 4, 2021
There was no report of Green getting fined for language from that 2016 game, but he was fined $50,000 in 2020 for saying that Devin Booker should get out of Phoenix.
The Suns’ official Twitter account even mocked that tampering fine against Draymond.
We’ve got at least 50(k) reasons why we love @DevinBook pic.twitter.com/5vLqvwqSLW
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) August 9, 2020
We’ll have to see if the NBA takes any action against Sarver given the extent of ESPN’s report.