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Wachtell Lipton is the same law firm the NBA used to investigate two high-profile cases of misconduct by team owners — both of whom were later forced to sell their teams. In 2014, the law firm investigated former Clippers owner Donald Sterling for accusations of numerous racially insensitive remarks made about NBA legend Magic Johnson, revealed by TMZ. In 2022, the firm investigated former Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver for multiple instances of inappropriate language or behavior after an ESPN report on the matter.
Jeff Teague on Steve Nash 2004-05 MVP award: “I don't think he should have won it over Kobe Bryant.”
The KD 17s, Book 1s, and Sabrina 2s were the next most popular models, which means two of the top four signature athletes (Kobe and Sabrina Ionescu) currently don't play in the NBA, and the other two (Kevin Durant and Devin Booker) were both on the Phoenix Suns last season. After Sabrina, there is a dropoff to LeBron James, who has released dozens of signature models over his 20-year career, and James Harden’s out-of-this-world designs. Harden (adidas) is the first non-Nike athlete on the list, which might tell you something about Nike’s continued dominance in the basketball shoe market.
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Howard is one of 19 players in NBA history with five consecutive first-team All-NBA nods. The only other centers on that list are Shaq and George Mikan. The only other 21st-century players are LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, O'Neal, Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant -- who, with the exception of the young Doncic, are acknowledged as top-25 players in NBA history. Critics would contend that Howard so thoroughly dominated the All-NBA voting because of a lesser caliber of competition in that era. This idea has some merit: Though the center landscape wasn't quite as barren during Howard's reign as it would be half a decade later -- the All-NBA centers in 2015-16 were DeAndre Jordan, DeMarcus Cousins and Andre Drummond -- the second- and third-team All-NBA centers behind Howard were Amar'e Stoudemire (three times), Yao Ming (twice), Suns-era Shaq, Andrew Bogut, Al Horford, Andrew Bynum and Tyson Chandler. There are good players on that list, but few Hall of Famers.
However, his off-the-court actions are not as well known, but his Serbian national team teammate Vasilije Micic shed some light on them. Former Oklahoma City Thunder, Charlotte Hornets, and Phoenix Suns guard described Jokic as a leader. "Great guy, great guy. Very humble, really unique in terms of that," Micic told BasketNews. "His integrity with the team and his behavior in general are really a great example for everyone who wants to become like Nikola, a superstar and NBA leader."
Tyronn Lue says Bradley Beal was overshadowed in Phoenix
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick and Los Angeles Clippers coach Ty Lue are on the same wavelength when it comes to Bradley Beal’s time with the Phoenix Suns. In an interview on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast, Lue believes the new Clippers guard was overshadowed playing alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant in Phoenix. “When you play for a team like Phoenix like he did the last couple of years, you got Booker and KD and you’re the third option,” Lue said. “People like, 'oh he didn’t.' He averaged 18 points, shot 50% from the field and 43% from 3.”
“Those are unbelievable stats,” Lue continued about Beal. “But when you’re playing with KD and Book, it kind of gets overshadowed. I think by coming here, I think it’s a fresh start and I think he’s going to be great for us.”
Two Suns minority owners sue Mat Ishbia, citing lack of transparency
When Mat Ishbia purchased a controlling interest in the Phoenix Suns, he offered to buy out any of the team’s 16 minority owners (using the $4 billion valuation of the team to set the price). Fourteen of those owners took him up on the offer. The two that did not — Kisco WC Sports and Kent Circle Investments – have taken the Suns to court in Delaware over frustrations about transparency and access to information, NBC Sports has confirmed.
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In the court papers, Kisco and Kent Circle claim they have not had access to view basic information about the franchise, including how it has been run and some of the investments that Ishbia and the Suns have made, such as a new practice facility. With that, the minority owners don’t believe they have an understanding of what their shares are worth. They are asking the court to allow them to investigate what they perceive as potential violations of the limited liability company agreement, as well as conflicts of interest.
Gerald Bourguet: The Suns announce a new exclusive member lounge opening in October for season ticket members at PHX Arena. It’ll be 6000-square feet with a full-service kitchen and outdoor terrace, located in the FanDuel Sportsbook space
Two of the Phoenix Suns‘ limited partners are demanding that Mat Ishbia’s “ISH Suns” LLC, the controlling stakeholder of Suns Legacy Holdings LLC, buys them out as the franchise’s valuation approaches an estimated $7 billion. In a letter obtained by PHNX Sports, the attorneys for ISH Suns LLC rebuked demands from Kisco WC Sports II, LLC and Kent Circle Investments, LLC for ISH Suns to purchase their limited (non-controlling) interest in the team for $825 million, based on the enterprise being valued in excess of $6 billion — a 60 percent increase from the franchise’s value when Ishbia’s LLC first acquired a controlling interest.
In the letter, ISH Suns made it clear they do not object to Kisco WC Sports II or Kent Circle Investments marketing their interests and procuring offers from another buyer — subject to the “rights and obligations set forth in the parties’ agreement” and “applicable league rules — and would support any buyer interested in partnering with the company to help make the Suns and Mercury the premiere franchises in their respective leagues.
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