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SPORTS Thursday 31 May 2018

76ers exec accused of trashing

others anonymously on Twitter

By DAN GELSTON manager Sam Hinkie, with the four others.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Toronto Raptors executive "The allegations are serious
Philadelphia 76ers are Masai Ujiri and former Sixers and we have commenced
investigating whether players Jahlil Okafor and an independent
team president Bryan Nerlens Noel, according to investigation into the
Colangelo used a variety The Ringer. matter," the Sixers said
of Twitter accounts to Among other things, the Wednesday in a statement.
anonymously trash some of user or users of the accounts "We will report the results of
his own players and fellow complained that Embiid, that investigation as soon In this May 11, 2018, file photo, Philadelphia 76ers general
executives and defend the 24-year-old All-Star as it is concluded." manager Bryan Colangelo speaks during a news conference
himself against criticism center, was "playing like a Embiid, Philly's franchise at the NBA basketball team's practice facility in Camden, N.J.
from fans and the sports toddler having tantrums" star, made a few Associated Press
media. and was "a bit lazy," ''selfish" wisecracks about the furor
The allegations, reported and "acting like a tool." for his 1.4 million Twitter asked the Sixers about just because the probe is not
Tuesday by the sports The user of one of the followers before standing two of the accounts, and over.
website The Ringer , accounts claimed to know up for Colangelo. the same day the three If the investigation shows
raised questions about Colangelo and described "All jokes asides I don't others were suddenly that Colangelo is in
Colangelo's future and him more than once as believe the story," he made private. any way connected
that of the NBA team a "class act." The tweets tweeted. "That would be For the Sixers, the first order to the accounts, the
itself, a rising franchise also raised the question of just insane." of business is determining organization's reputation
heading into perhaps its whether Colangelo used The Ringer said it had been whether the accounts are, would be heavily damaged
most important summer the anonymous accounts monitoring the accounts in fact, Colangelo's. as it tries to chase big free
ever as it tries to attract to divulge team strategy since February, when it The Sixers had at least 20 agents like LeBron James,
free agents to contend for and details about players' received an anonymous impostor accounts shut Paul George or other All-
championships. medical conditions. tip. It said it found numerous down this season with Stars. Colangelo, the son of
The five Twitter accounts Colangelo acknowledged connections among the people pretending to be longtime sports executive
under suspicion took aim using one of the accounts accounts that suggested Colangelo, a person familar Jerry Colangelo, was hired
at Philadelphia players to monitor the NBA industry the same person was with the investigation told as president of basketball
Joel Embiid and Markelle and other current events behind them. The Associated Press on operations in 2016 after
Fultz, former Sixers general but said he wasn't familiar The Ringer said it initially condition of anonymity Hinkie abruptly resigned.q
Andre Iguodala have any doubts he will Finals meeting between
Continued from Page 17 be able to return during the rivals.
"He's doing a little bit better the Finals. "Just trying to "He's going to go do some
today. Some encouraging figure out how to move in things today and see how
signs, but we have ruled general," Iguodala said. he feels," Cavs coach
him out for Game 1. We've "But making some progress. Tyronn Lue said. "But he is
got lots of guys who can Slower than we expected in the protocol still, so we'll
take on that job. It's a group but if you're just being see how he feels."
effort, anyway guarding realistic it is what it is and it'll Both teams practiced
LeBron. So, KD, Draymond be the time, if not longer." Wednesday on Golden
(Green), Klay (Thompson), Kevon Looney has been State's home floor, where
Shaun Livingston, they'll all starting in Iguodala's place. the defending champions
see time on him." Everybody on the Warriors have won 17 of their last 18
The Warriors said Iguodala, realizes it will be a joint postseason games.
who was injured in Game 3 effort guarding James. James certainly
against the Rockets on May "What he brings to us on the Golden State Warriors' Andre Iguodala smiles as he answers understands what the
20, was evaluated Tuesday defensive end will definitely questions after an NBA basketball practice, Wednesday, May Warriors are missing without
and is making progress be missed," Green said. 30, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. Iguodala's presence and
but still has the bruise and "But it just means other Associated Press athleticism.
inflammation of the nerve guys have got to step up. "First of all he has very, very
surrounding his knee. Other guys have done that Forward Kevin Love's status against Boston that the quick hands," James said.
Kerr has said Iguodala thus far. The task gets even for Cleveland remained Cavs pulled out in seven. He "That doesn't get talked
wouldn't play until he can harder but I know guys will unclear as he continues wasn't scheduled to attend about a lot, his ability to
run without pain. He will and it will be a collective to go through the NBA's media day Wednesday read and react to the
be re-evaluated ahead of effort in hopes that we concussion protocol. Love at Oracle Arena, where ball either in flight or while
Sunday's Game 2. keep trekking along until was injured in Game 6 of the the Warriors host the series you're dribbling or when
Iguodala said he doesn't he's ready to come back." Eastern Conference finals opener in the fourth straight you pick the ball up."q