Mavs Scandal Thread - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Underdog · 02-20-2018, 11:23 PM

Wow, Earl K. Sneed fired, as well as head of Mavs HR, Buddy Pittman...

https://www.si.com/nba/2018/02/20/da...cuban-response

AO41 · 02-20-2018, 11:28 PM

Wow this dropped out of nowhere and I am sure there will be some fallout from it all.

FreshJive · 02-20-2018, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

Wow, Earl K. Sneed fired, as well as head of Mavs HR, Buddy Pittman...

https://www.si.com/nba/2018/02/20/da...cuban-response

“Hey, baby. Getting gang banged this weekend?” Is that his idea of a pickup line? Bizarre

Melonhead · 02-21-2018, 12:11 AM

Cant help but think about all the women that have been harmed in some way by these egotistical piece of shit power abusing men. And I am really disappointed in Cuban. I dont know if he can play dumb now, always hearing how hands on he is with the organization.

Also feel bad for the players. This will impact the team for a few years, giving the organization a black eye and having to build up from the inevitable fallout.

walter · 02-21-2018, 12:32 AM

Well this is embarrassing. The most hands on owner in sports is suddenly oblivious and blindsided by things that have supposedly been going on right under his nose for years? Not a good look.

Probably most disgusted by Sneed if these allegations are true. Dude was always tweeting about God and wearing his religion on his sleeve. I'm far from a perfect human being myself, but I at least don't hide behind religion to make myself feel better about my own abhorrent impulses.

DevinHarriswillstart · 02-21-2018, 12:39 AM

Wow, Terdema Ussery...I guess we shouldn't be surprised considering how many sexual and harassment allegations have come out recently. But this is a a bomb that could have long term rippling effects. Yikes.

DevinHarriswillstart · 02-21-2018, 12:50 AM

Wow, Earl K Sneed's twitter account no longer exists.

Underdog · 02-21-2018, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walter

Probably most disgusted by Sneed if these allegations are true.

Not allegations, he plead guilty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Wow, Terdema Ussery...I guess we shouldn't be surprised considering how many sexual and harassment allegations have come out recently. But this is a a bomb that could have long term rippling effects. Yikes.

My biggest concern with Ussery (aside from his victims) is that he works for Under Armour, who signed Dennis Smith Jr. this summer... Now both of the corporations that DSJ is associated with are embroiled in the same scandal -- I hope he's able to insulate himself from the drama and focus on basketball.

spreedom · 02-21-2018, 01:05 AM

This is going to be a watershed moment in the NBA, maybe American pro sports. I hope the Mavs don't lose their pick over this (BTW hasn't been rumored whatsoever, purely speculation on my part).

walter · 02-21-2018, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

Not allegations, he plead guilty.

My biggest concern with Ussery (aside from his victims) is that he works for Under Armour, who signed Dennis Smith Jr. this summer... Now both of the corporations that DSJ is associated with are embroiled in the same scandal -- I hope he's able to insulate himself from the drama and focus on basketball.

Actually the SI article states he "resigned" from Under Armor about two months after he started there after a lower level employee complained to HR about him harassing her in an elevator. They actually did the right thing and canned the guy before it came back to bite them.

Magnum_3_Ball · 02-21-2018, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

Now both of the corporations that DSJ is associated with are embroiled in the same scandal -- I hope he's able to insulate himself from the drama and focus on basketball.

It doesn't help that on draft night folks found an old tweet that read something like "Everyone has a gift and my gift is slanging this wood in the ladies"

Magnum_3_Ball · 02-21-2018, 01:29 AM

Just read the article.

This is so profoundly disturbing. I have so many thoughts that I can't really express them all.

First, I feel awful for the victims. I hope Cuban makes it right with each & every one of them; not talking financially. I'm talking ensuring they get counseling & therapy. You don't go through something like this for years & not have any scars left over.

Second, it's really shocking. I use to work at a 5 star restaurant in Uptown, and I was part of the team that served at banquets were Ussery was present. I never met him directly, but I was around him & saw him interact with others on numerous occasions. He never impressed me as a very warm or friendly guy, very business-like, but I never would of guessed this... I did work with a guy who was a former Mavs salesperson, and he was a total tool. I could definitely see him being part of an "Animal House" culture.

Third, I find it very hard to believe that Cuban didn't have at the very least cursory knowledge of this. In fact, I find it really hard to believe that Dirk didn't have that same cursory knowledge too. I find it really hard to believe that Dirk wouldn't of said or done something. Kinda mind blowing. If Dirk didn't know, then I feel really angry for him. It's so disrespectful to him... And also I'm thinking of all the times I've heard Dirk interviewed on The Ticket. The PR girl who works for the Mavs, I think here name is Sarah, her audible background laughs are part of the interviews. I mean, I know it's part of presenting an image to the public, but man she just always seemed like she had the best job in the world. Really feel terrible for women like that to have to endure this type of hell.

Fourth, I know I'm probably not suppose to think this, but this kinda speaks to Ashleigh Bangfield's point about how the mystery woman who smeared Aziz Ansari's name did damage to the MeToo movement. I can't help resist asking the question, "How opportunistic is all of this?"

Underdog · 02-21-2018, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spreedom

This is going to be a watershed moment in the NBA, maybe American pro sports. I hope the Mavs don't lose their pick over this (BTW hasn't been rumored whatsoever, purely speculation on my part).

I get why the Pats lost a pick when Brady deflated those footballs -- it was a player who broke the rules, so the squad (in addition to the franchise) was punished in the form of a lost draft pick. Although the Pats had 9 picks in that draft, so taking one away wasn't exactly going to kill them... But you take away the Mavs pick, and you're pretty much going to cripple the careers of guys like Harrison Barnes and Dennis Smith Jr, who had absolutely nothing to do with this scandal.

Even if the league took a second-rounder, that inadvertently punishes a draft prospect, as it reduces the number of drafted players from 60 to 59. It's a lot trickier to punish teams via picks in the NBA than in the NFL, where there's 224 players getting drafted (not including compensatory picks and whatnot).

Nah, I could see fines levied, but taking a pick seems like overkill in this case... Especially since players weren't involved.

Underdog · 02-21-2018, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnum_3_Ball

It doesn't help that on draft night folks found an old tweet that read something like "Everyone has a gift and my gift is slanging this wood in the ladies"

He never said "in the ladies" -- the exact quote was: "Everybody has god given talents. Mine just so happens to be slangin this wood in my pants"... He's implying that he has a big dick, not directing it toward anyone -- HUGE difference, no harassment involved.

My worry with Dennis wasn't anything other than the fact that both the Mavs and UA could be caught up in the same scandal, which could lead to reporters asking him a bunch of questions that don't have anything to do with what he should be focused on: basketball... But now I'm not even worried about that after Walter's post:

Quote:

Originally Posted by walter

Actually the SI article states he "resigned" from Under Armor about two months after he started there after a lower level employee complained to HR about him harassing her in an elevator. They actually did the right thing and canned the guy before it came back to bite them.

So Under Armour has already cleaned house, one less distraction... As long as Cuban gets a handle on things, I don't think this is going to affect Dennis whatsoever.

Magnum_3_Ball · 02-21-2018, 01:45 AM

The NBA was heavily rumored to be behind the Sixers letting Sam Hinkie go. What I think is far more likely than the Mavs losing a draft pick, is the NBA coming in & having oversight of the Mavs offices. That in turn could effect the product on the court.

I would assume we're looking at more than just an SI investigation here. I would expect the league to look into this & it's definitely possible more people are fired.

Underdog · 02-21-2018, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnum_3_Ball

In fact, I find it really hard to believe that Dirk didn't have that same cursory knowledge too. I find it really hard to believe that Dirk wouldn't of said or done something. Kinda mind blowing.

Why would Dirk have any knowledge of things happening off the court, away from the players? Unlike Cuban, he has absolutely nothing to do with corporate personnel... And it's not like the Earl K Sneed stuff was public knowledge. There's no reason whatsoever to assume that Dirk had even the slightest inkling of what was happening. Dude spends all of his time in the gym and with his family.

Magnum_3_Ball · 02-21-2018, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

He never said "in the ladies" -- the exact quote was: "Everybody has god given talents. Mine just so happens to be slangin this wood in my pants"... He's implying that he has a big dick, not directing it toward anyone -- HUGE difference, no harassment involved...

Yeah, you're correct that was the exact quote. Not sure if you're hip on the lingo, but for example, "slanging birds" means dealing cocaine. When he says slanging wood, the slanging part emphasizes that he's not just gifted downstairs, but his talent extends to dealing his "gift" to others, presumably women.

Maybe much ado about nothing. But given the current climate, not the best tweet to have been unearthed for a Mavs rookie on draft night.

Magnum_3_Ball · 02-21-2018, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

Why would Dirk have any knowledge of things happening off the court, away from the players? Unlike Cuban, he has absolutely nothing to do with corporate personnel... And it's not like the Earl K Sneed stuff was public knowledge. There's no reason whatsoever to assume that Dirk had even the slightest inkling of what was happening. Dude spends all of his time in the gym and with his family.

Not true. They talk about how Dirk has good friends in the Mavs personnel departments, marketing, equipment manager, the PR girl, etc. on the Ticket all the time. In fact, they'll indirectly reference some of these people on the air, even sometimes by name.

Also, the Mavs have published several videos on their website over the years talking about how Dirk is "part of the family", and members of the staff talking about how Dirk asks them about their children, or wished them Happy Birthday. Very common knowledge that Dirk is a caring, down-to-earth guy who is involved with long time Mavericks staffers on a first name basis. Hard to imagine talking to them over all those years he didn't at least hear rumors i.e. when he goes to ask "What happened to so & so?"... "Oh she left because she was being harassed by Terdema"

Where are you getting your information from that Dirk has no interaction with the Mavericks staff members?

Edit: Actually a good bit about Dirk's relationship with folks in the Mavs offices is shown in that documentary on Dirk "The Perfect Shot". You can watch it on Netflix. That's just one example they talk about it all the time on The Ticket too.

Underdog · 02-21-2018, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnum_3_Ball

The NBA was heavily rumored to be behind the Sixers letting Sam Hinkie go. What I think is far more likely than the Mavs losing a draft pick, is the NBA coming in & having oversight of the Mavs offices. That in turn could effect the product on the court.

I would assume we're looking at more than just an SI investigation here. I would expect the league to look into this & it's definitely possible more people are fired.

Where did you even hear that? Hinkie stepped down because the Philadelphia brass was unhappy with "The Process" not yielding any results... Why would the NBA even have grounds to force him out? That doesn't make any sense. You need to source outlandish rumors like this with links, otherwise there's reason to doubt the validity of your claim.

And there's no way the NBA will have oversight of the Mavs FO unless they somehow force Cuban to sell the team (which is waaaaay more unlikely than the Mavs losing a pick)... And good luck with that after all the drama with the NBAPA back when the league took over the ownerless New Orleans Hornets. It's a conflict of interest for the league to run a franchise's front office, plain and simple.

Although I do agree with you that more heads will probably roll, but I think it's going to be an internal matter spearheaded by Mark Cuban... As long as he's handling it, I doubt it's in the league's best interest to get involved -- the smaller the overreach, the better the optics. The NBA doesn't want the perception that this is a league-wide problem (although it probably is).

Underdog · 02-21-2018, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnum_3_Ball

Maybe much ado about nothing. But given the current climate, not the best tweet to have been unearthed for a Mavs rookie on draft night.

I think you're losing focus here -- none of this has anything to do with a tweet that Dennis Smith Jr. posted when he was 14 years old. If he was going to get in trouble for that, then it would have happened back when it was made public... We're talking about real crimes directed at actual women and the cover-ups that perpetuated a toxic work environment.

Magnum_3_Ball · 02-21-2018, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

Where did you even hear that? Hinkie stepped down because the Philadelphia brass was unhappy with "The Process" not yielding any results... Why would the NBA even have grounds to force him out? That doesn't make any sense. You need to source outlandish rumors like this with links, otherwise there's reason to doubt the validity of your claim...

I'll look for more examples, but I mean this is just common knowledge, like the way most hoops fans know Kyrie thinks the earth is flat.

I've listened to so many Woj podcasts that I can't really find which episode it was, but probably an episode with one of the GMs were he mentions the rumor.

It's been said on numerous blogs & Youtube channels. It's just widely known that the league office was really not happy with the publicity "The Process" was getting because of how bad the tanking was in Philly.

Here's two articles that a quick Google search produced, though.

https://www.crossingbroad.com/2016/0...inkie-out.html

https://www.barstoolsports.com/phila...-i-am-furious/

And this quote from this SI article lets us know the Sixers' ownership didn't want to let Hinkie go

https://www.si.com/nba/2016/04/06/sa...-gm-steps-down

Quote:

Ownership, he reports, did not plan to fire Hinkie

As the rumor goes, the league office had a source inside the Sixers FO who leaked Hinkie's infamous 13 page memo

Underdog · 02-21-2018, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnum_3_Ball

Not true. They talk about how Dirk has good friends in the Mavs personnel departments, marketing, equipment manager, the PR girl, etc. on the Ticket all the time. In fact, they'll indirectly reference some of these people on the air, even sometimes by name.

Also, the Mavs have published several videos on their website over the years talking about how Dirk is "part of the family", and members of the staff talking about how Dirk asks them about their children, or wished them Happy Birthday. Very common knowledge that Dirk is a caring, down-to-earth guy who is involved with long time Mavericks staffers on a first name basis. Hard to imagine talking to them over all those years he didn't at least hear rumors i.e. when he goes to ask "What happened to so & so?"... "Oh she left because she was being harassed by Terdema"

Where are you getting your information from that Dirk has no interaction with the Mavericks staff members?

Edit: Actually a good bit about Dirk's relationship with folks in the Mavs offices is shown in that documentary on Dirk "The Perfect Shot". You can watch it on Netflix. That's just one example they talk about it all the time on The Ticket too.

So you're saying Dirk is close with all these people, but wouldn't speak up if he knew they were being abused? Either he's a total sociopath, or you're jumping to conclusions. Like, why would you even bring up Dirk's name when he wasn't mentioned anywhere in the article? This story has more than enough drama without you making more up -- this is how unfounded rumors get started.

Magnum_3_Ball · 02-21-2018, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

So you're saying Dirk is close with all these people, but wouldn't speak up if he knew they were being abused? Either he's a total sociopath, or you're jumping to conclusions. Like, why would you even bring up Dirk's name when he wasn't mentioned anywhere in the article? This story has more than enough drama without you making more up -- this is how unfounded rumors get started.

Why do you think Dirk who's been with the organization for 20 years has a zero percent chance of ever hearing these rumors before?

What I said was totally fair. It's speculation sure, but so is the idea Mark Cuban had knowledge of this going on. That is currently unfounded, as well.

I also said there's the chance Dirk didn't know this was going on.

Underdog · 02-21-2018, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnum_3_Ball

I'll look for more examples, but I mean this is just common knowledge, like the way most hoops fans know Kyrie thinks the earth is flat.

I've listened to so many Woj podcasts that I can't really find which episode it was, but probably an episode with one of the GMs were he mentions the rumor.

It's been said on numerous blogs & Youtube channels. It's just widely known that the league office was really not happy with the publicity "The Process" was getting because of how bad the tanking was in Philly.

Here's two articles that a quick Google search produced, though.

https://www.crossingbroad.com/2016/0...inkie-out.html

https://www.barstoolsports.com/phila...-i-am-furious/

And this quote from this SI article lets us know the Sixers' ownership didn't want to let Hinkie go

https://www.si.com/nba/2016/04/06/sa...-gm-steps-down

As the rumor goes, the league office had a source inside the Sixers FO who leaked Hinkie's infamous 13 page memo

Yeah, "Smitty" over at Barstool Sports sounds like a reliable source of information... And those articles mention Silver being angry at Hinkie for exploiting the rules, which is apples and oranges when compared to Mavs situation. Given the positive relationship between Cuban and Silver, I'm confident that this is going to be taken care of in-houise for all the reasons I mentioned above. At worst, the NBA might open an investigative committee, but there's no way in hell they're going to take over operations. That's just a ridiculous conclusion to jump to.

Magnum_3_Ball · 02-21-2018, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

Yeah, "Smitty" over at Barstool Sports sounds like a reliable source of information... And those articles mention Silver being angry at Hinkie for exploiting the rules, which is apples and oranges when compared to Mavs situation. Given the positive relationship between Cuban and Silver, I'm confident that this is going to be taken care of in-houise for all the reasons I mentioned above. At worst, the NBA might open an investigative committee, but there's no way in hell they're going to take over operations. That's just a ridiculous conclusion to jump to.

I've maybe heard the rumor that the league office pressured Hinkie to resign from 2 dozen sources. You said that's crazy where did you even hear that from?

I apologize I don't have them all memorized & ready to list at a moment's notice. I do produce a few sources. Fwiw, here's another (start at the 5:58 mark) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4jHChCdGac

You downplay the links because you don't like that they exist, I guess, and then act like it didn't happen & continue to call the league intervening in a team's front office as "crazy"...

Do you need a signed confession from Adam Silver before you'd consider the idea?

You may even be right, but I feel pretty strongly the commissioner's office is going to conduct their own independent investigation on this. Some league involvement is inevitable.

Underdog · 02-21-2018, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnum_3_Ball

Why do you think Dirk who's been with the organization for 20 years has a zero percent chance of ever hearing these rumors before?

Because I think there's a 0% chance that Dirk would have done nothing if he heard these rumors. It's not like he had any motivation to cover for these guys, nor would he have to worry about repercussions -- Dirk is more powerful than any of them, and even Cuban couldn't force him to cover something like this up. So either Dirk is a complete sociopath, or you're jumping to conclusions.

Magnum_3_Ball · 02-21-2018, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

Because I think there's a 0% chance that Dirk would have done nothing if he heard these rumors. It's not like he had any motivation to cover for these guys, nor would he have to worry about repercussions -- Dirk is more powerful than any of them, and even Cuban couldn't force him to cover something like this up. So either Dirk is a complete sociopath, or you're jumping to conclusions.

I said the same thing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnum_3_Ball

... I find it really hard to believe that Dirk wouldn't of said or done something...

It goes against his character, and doesn't add up. At the same time, he knows Mavs staff members by their first name, knows their kids, he's been in the organization for 20 years & he never heard anything. That's a little hard to believe too. If you said, he might of heard rumors, but without any hard proof, he didn't feel he could do anything. That makes sense.

I don't know. It's perplexing. It sounds like it was so widespread & rampant that everyone knew about it. Probably Carlisle too.

Underdog · 02-21-2018, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnum_3_Ball

It goes against his character, and doesn't add up. At the same time, he knows Mavs staff members by their first name, knows their kids, he's been in the organization for 20 years & he never heard anything. That's a little hard to believe too. If you said, he might of heard rumors, but without any hard proof, he didn't feel he could do anything. That makes sense.

I don't know. It's perplexing. It sounds like it was so widespread & rampant that everyone knew about it. Probably Carlisle too.

If it goes against his character, then why bring it up in the first place? And now you're assuming Carlisle knows too? Why stop there? Maybe the whole team is gang-raping women at every opportunity and covering it up... If anything that pops into your head might be true, then why not?

Magnum_3_Ball · 02-21-2018, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

If it goes against his character, then why bring it up in the first place? And now you're assuming Carlisle knows too? Why stop there? Maybe the whole team is gang-raping women at every opportunity and covering it up... If anything that pops into your head might be true, then why not?

You're right. Dirk could of never known. Carlisle definitely didn't know. Hell, Ussery probably didn't even do any of it.

Underdog · 02-21-2018, 03:19 AM

@ShamsCharania: The NBA announced the Dallas Mavericks’ allegations in SI story “runs counter to the steadfast commitment of the NBA … completely unacceptable” and league plans to “closely monitor” team’s independent investigation.

Underdog · 02-21-2018, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnum_3_Ball

You're right. Dirk could of never known. Carlisle definitely didn't know. Hell, Ussery probably didn't even do any of it.

Dirk and Carlisle MIGHT have known, but you're saying they "probably" knew. Once again, it's the words you choose -- the certainty of it all, as if you know something we don't. You're ready to brand them guilty when no evidence has been presented (nor accusations made) that they even knew anything. That doesn't mean they don't know anything, but there's no reason to assume they do at this point.

EricaLubarsky · 02-21-2018, 08:55 AM

Wow

This actually potentially really impacts my fanhood and if it’s improperly handled and/or high level coverups are revealed, I’m not sure how I can stay a fan.

sefant77 · 02-21-2018, 09:10 AM

Should have fired Sneeds ass back in 2012...

What a shit show management, Cubes...

mac222b · 02-21-2018, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walter

Well this is embarrassing. The most hands on owner in sports is suddenly oblivious and blindsided by things that have supposedly been going on right under his nose for years? Not a good look.

Probably most disgusted by Sneed if these allegations are true. Dude was always tweeting about God and wearing his religion on his sleeve. I'm far from a perfect human being myself, but I at least don't hide behind religion to make myself feel better about my own abhorrent impulses.

Often the first or second refuge of a scoundrel.

mac222b · 02-21-2018, 09:44 AM

Very disappointed in Cuban. I don't buy that he wasn't aware. I have a hunch that this will be the first of many franchises undergoing review.

mac222b · 02-21-2018, 09:48 AM

I had a situation at work a few years ago where one of the department heads was a serial harasser. Many went to complain, myself included at great personal peril, and HR did everything they could to sweep it under the rug. I actually lost my job as payback. Guy is still there.

sefant77 · 02-21-2018, 09:52 AM

Cubes problem was that the CEO and Head of HR was involved/covering up and thats the guys reporting to him. I also think Cuban was always so open about ways to contact/interact with him, he probably thought women would contact him straight and looks like this never happened.

No excuse for the Sneed thing, i dont believe he didnt know about the 2012 assault charges. Thats the point where you show him the door

DevinHarriswillstart · 02-21-2018, 10:18 AM

I could actually see Donnie taking the hit for this. Short of Cuban selling the team and Rick being fired, I don't know who else who has real power would be to blame. And wasn't he close with Ussery for many years? There is NO way he wouldn't know this stuff.

Someone in the high up is going to be the scapegoat.

Underdog · 02-21-2018, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I could actually see Donnie taking the hit for this. Short of Cuban selling the team and Rick being fired, I don't know who else who has real power would be to blame. And wasn't he close with Ussery for many years? There is NO way he wouldn't know this stuff.

Someone in the high up is going to be the scapegoat.

You know who else is good friends with Ussery? David Stern... This shit is probably a lot bigger than the Mavs

Melonhead · 02-21-2018, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sefant77

Cubes problem was that the CEO and Head of HR was involved/covering up and thats the guys reporting to him. I also think Cuban was always so open about ways to contact/interact with him, he probably thought women would contact him straight and looks like this never happened.

No excuse for the Sneed thing, i dont believe he didnt know about the 2012 assault charges. Thats the point where you show him the door

Course he knew about Snead. Dude couldn’t even get in to Canada for Raptors games.