If a report from The Ringer is correct, the Philadelphia 76ers shouldn’t be trusting the process.
After getting a tip about similarities shared by five anonymous Twitter accounts, an examination by The Ringer determined they are probably all being run by Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo.
The “burner” accounts, which followed similar users and phrased posts in similar ways, were used to criticize 76ers players, take shots at ex Philly GM Sam Hinkie, give out private medical information about players and defend Colangelo from criticism.
Although the evidence in the report is compelling, Colangelo has denied the accusations thus far.
Sixers All-Star center Joel Embiid tells ESPN on Bryan Colangelo: “I talked to him and he said that he didn’t say that. He called me just to deny the story. Gotta believe him until proven otherwise. If true though, that would be really bad.”
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 30, 2018
Maybe there’s an IT person who can prove it wasn’t Bryan Colangelo, but here’s one of his biggest problems in disputing Ringer story: Those tweets reflected not only private team biz, but launched personal beefs/jealousies/frustrations that he’s shared inside and outside 76ers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 30, 2018
Nevertheless, Colangelo is denying he is responsible for those tweets and many league executives seem to believe this: It is hard to fathom a GM risking his job in such a reckless manner. Many are giving him the benefit of doubt on that level alone. It just doesn’t add up. https://t.co/BDn3n0os2a
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 30, 2018
Whether they believe Colangelo’s denial or not, several 76ers players had interesting reactions to the report.
BRUH pic.twitter.com/hv59PDxlgY
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) May 30, 2018
????????????????????????????????????
— Richaun Holmes (@Rich_Holmes22) May 30, 2018
You really can’t trust NO ONE !!
— Markelle Fultz (@MarkelleF) January 29, 2018
Yeah I’m looking at all the evidence now and it’s not looking good ??♂️ https://t.co/kOc8w9anSP
— Trevor Booker (@35_Fitz) May 30, 2018
After the story broke, Colangelo released the following statement to The Ringer.
“Like many of my colleagues in sports, I have used social media as a means to keep up with the news. While I have never posted anything whatsoever on social media, I have used the @Phila1234567 Twitter account referenced in this story to monitor our industry and other current events. This story line is disturbing to me on many levels, as I am not familiar with any of the other accounts that have been brought to my attention, nor do I know who is behind them or what their motives may be in using them.”
The 76ers announced they will be conducting an investigation into the matter.
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