“Feel Bad For the Suns Fans”: 2-Time NBA Champion Criticizes Phoenix Suns Amidst Sale Rumors
According to former NBA great Lamar Odom, the racial problems with the Phoenix Suns go beyond the team’s departed owner Robert Sarver. The team has been under fire for its mascot, which has been branded racist, following the removal of former owner Robert Sarver for his racist behavior. The Phoenix Suns have recently been under fire for a number of things. Owner Robert Sarver is in hot water amid accusations of racism and sexism.
Former Los Angeles Lakers player Lamar Odom claims that Sarver is not the only member of the Suns organization that needs to be investigated for racism. Odom, a two-time NBA champion, recently appeared on The Bootleg Kev Podcast, which is hosted by a Suns supporter, and the two talked about the team’s current on-court performance.
Lamar Odom calls out Phoenix Suns for racist mascot
Odom discussed the Suns’ mascot in a recent interview with The Bootleg Kev Podcast, stating why it’s quite odd that a gorilla is the team’s mascot. Naturally, he didn’t declare that this was absolutely true, but Lamar voiced his reservations about it.
“Gorillas in the desert, you can’t find any,” Odom said. “You could probably find a cactus. … Just like, come on. But you know what’s so, really crazy about it? They just tried it because they wanted to get the fans involved, and that’s the reason why they kept it — ’cause the fans loved it.”
Lamar Odom thinks Suns having a gorilla mascot is racist: 'Slid that one by' https://t.co/g5j8eHbClN pic.twitter.com/IZxq7P0crs
— New York Post (@nypost) November 26, 2022
Odom doesn’t appear to be claiming to know for sure that the Suns’ mascot is racist, but he obviously believes it and has some evidence to support it. Additionally, the Suns were embroiled in a significant controversy after a study on Robert Sarver’s stint with the organization revealed how several executives used their positions of power to their advantage.
Phoenix’s supporter base isn’t typically brought up in that discourse, but Sarver most certainly has. An alarming report described several instances of racism and sexism that Sarver is said to have subjected Phoenix Suns organization members to.
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