Elijah Millsap accuses Utah Jazz executive of bigotry, NBA investigates, no bigotry found
Racism Score: 0.0
In a world full of never-ending racist accusations, one claim took an “L” today. People who believe in due process, and not jumping to conclusions got the dub.
Free agent NBA player Elijah Millsap claimed Jazz executive Dennis Lindsey (white man) hurled a bigoted comment at him during an end-of-season exit meeting in 2015. Yes, six years ago.
The NBA investigated the matter and determined there was not enough evidence to substantiate Millsap’s claim. In other words, there was no proof.
If you are unaware, recently, Millsap decided to share with the world his “truth” the best way anyone knows how nowadays, Twitter.
Very Jeremy Lin-esque.
Advocates and critics alike went to their battle stations to weigh-in on the topic. Advocates believed every word Millsap shared while condemning and accusing Lindsey of being a racist.
Utah’s past may have something to do with the rush to judgment. Utah has been deemed the most racist place to play in the NBA. Utah’s inglorious distinction does not automatically make Lindsey a bigot, nor does it confirm Millsap’s accusation.
Critics of Millsap questioned his intent as the alleged comment occurred six years ago.
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year and former teammate Rudy Gobert was close to Millsap. Gobert revealed that Millsap never informed him of Lindsey’s bigoted comment.
In the eye of public opinion, Gobert’s lack of knowledge did not bode well for Millsap. The NBA brotherhood seems like a safe space for players to share misgivings with each other.
The fact that Millsap did not disclose the comment to Gobert or any other team members for that matter, lead many people to question the veracity of Millsap’s claim.
This is a lose-lose situation for Millsap, Lindsey, and head coach, Quin Snyder who was also present in the meeting. Snyder did not recall hearing a comment remotely close to Millsap’s accusation.
This type of claim without proof does not help the Black community. Some people may not want to hear this but too bad; prior to accusing someone of this type of bigotry, one should have substantial evidence to validate the claim.
The reason substantive evidence is needed in this case is to mitigate the “crying wolf” effect.
Not only is his claim counterproductive without facts, but this is also the type of fuel some people need to say “see, I told you it was made up,” or “his new name should be Elijah Millsmollet…”
Everyone can make their own conclusion. However, after reviewing a few of Millsap’s tweets and reading his comments in a follow-up interview.
He seems to be disgruntled because he never signed with another NBA team to which he blames the Jazz. Also, his new social justice awakening only seems to be tied to his misgivings with his accusation.
Lives can be ruined by unsubstantiated racist accusations and making false accusations is supremely damaging to any fight for equality.
Until anyone can prove otherwise, Dennis Lindsey is not a bigot or a racist. Millsap could have gone about this a better way.
Did Alonzo not teach us anything?
