Sarver: Dragic called me and apologized for his comments about the Suns

[sunsfan88]

Just heard it on 98.7.

https://twitter.com/Gambo987/status/571446670572982273

Iirc, Sarver and Dragic have a close relationship going back to when he signed here in 2012. Sarver overruled Lance Blanks (who wanted Raymond Felton at the time) to sign Dragic and bring him back to the desert.

 

[3rdside]

Just heard it on 98.7.

https://twitter.com/Gambo987/status/571446670572982273

Iiirc, Sarver and Dragic have a close relationship going back to when he signed here in 2012. Sarver overruled Lance Blanks (who wanted Raymond Felton at the time) to sign Dragic and bring him back to the desert.

I was trying to think which eastern euro county Iiirc cam from...then i realised ; )

 

[sunsfan88]

I was trying to think which eastern euro county Iiirc cam from...then i realised ; )

Haha my bad, fixed it.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

He seems like a great guy. He tweeted an apology of sorts via a tweet once he was traded to the Heat. Before the presser in which your top guys dumped on him.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12348588/phoenix-suns-trade-goran-dragic-miami-heat

"Thank you to my fans, teammates and many friends in Phx!!" Dragic tweeted. "You are what made #cluborange a 2nd home for me and my family! The Suns organization has been good to me and I hope everyone knows I'd never say or do anything to purposely offend or minimize the success we've had."

"Although my recent words came out harsher than I'd intended, I did feel it was time to find a better fit for me as a bball player who only wants to be the best and help my team in every way," Dragic said. "I'm proud of my time in Phx & never want anything to take away from that or the relationship I've built and will continue to build in the community."

 

[sunsfan88]

He seems like a great guy. He tweeted an apology of sorts via a tweet once he was traded to the Heat. Before the presser in which your top guys dumped on him.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12348588/phoenix-suns-trade-goran-dragic-miami-heat

"Thank you to my fans, teammates and many friends in Phx!!" Dragic tweeted. "You are what made #cluborange a 2nd home for me and my family! The Suns organization has been good to me and I hope everyone knows I'd never say or do anything to purposely offend or minimize the success we've had."

"Although my recent words came out harsher than I'd intended, I did feel it was time to find a better fit for me as a bball player who only wants to be the best and help my team in every way," Dragic said. "I'm proud of my time in Phx & never want anything to take away from that or the relationship I've built and will continue to build in the community."

He really is. And one thing that I've heard from everyone in the media that's Suns related whether its John Gambo, Paul Coro, Amin Elihassan, BSOT bloggers or whoever is that they all agree that Goran Dragic was an extremely nice guy and a very well liked guy.

Its a shame that many people forget everything he did prior to the comments and trade demand and only remember him for that.

 

[AzStevenCal]

He seems like a great guy. He tweeted an apology of sorts via a tweet once he was traded to the Heat. Before the presser in which your top guys dumped on him.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12348588/phoenix-suns-trade-goran-dragic-miami-heat

"Thank you to my fans, teammates and many friends in Phx!!" Dragic tweeted. "You are what made #cluborange a 2nd home for me and my family! The Suns organization has been good to me and I hope everyone knows I'd never say or do anything to purposely offend or minimize the success we've had."

"Although my recent words came out harsher than I'd intended, I did feel it was time to find a better fit for me as a bball player who only wants to be the best and help my team in every way," Dragic said. "I'm proud of my time in Phx & never want anything to take away from that or the relationship I've built and will continue to build in the community."

I don't think they dumped on him, they just stated the truth. Most of the media people calling them out have done it from quotes rather than actually listening to the press conference. And he lied, he lied to multiple sources because he had an agenda. I'm glad that he apologized but when a player lies about the integrity of an organization, I see nothing wrong with the organization trying to set the record straight.

Dragic took the wrong advice from the wrong people and the Suns took damage from it. I'm glad he apologized and I'm glad he admitted that he made it into something it wasn't but did you notice that the other story was national news and this is just a little blurb?

Steve

 

[AzStevenCal]

He really is. And one thing that I've heard from everyone in the media that's Suns related whether its John Gambo, Paul Coro, Amin Elihassan, BSOT bloggers or whoever is that they all agree that Goran Dragic was an extremely nice guy and a very well liked guy.

Its a shame that many people forget everything he did prior to the comments and trade demand and only remember him for that.

The shame is in what he did, not in how we've treated him since. I remember him for a lot more than just the way he orchestrated his exit and much of it is positive but yes, his recent behavior stained his image for many Suns fans. It wasn't that he forced his way out, it was the way he did it. Attacking the integrity of this organization was a low blow especially since so many people already think poorly of Sarver and by extension, the Suns.

Steve

 

[sunsfan88]

The shame is in what he did, not in how we've treated him since. I remember him for a lot more than just the way he orchestrated his exit and much of it is positive but yes, his recent behavior stained his image for many Suns fans. It wasn't that he forced his way out, it was the way he did it. Attacking the integrity of this organization was a low blow especially since so many people already think poorly of Sarver and by extension, the Suns.

Steve

Well he certainly didn't need to apologize considering what the Suns said about him after he left rather than taking the high road.

Lets not pretend like the FO didn't do anything wrong

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2...e-phoenix-suns-future-bright-reputation-doubt

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2...uns-front-office-doesnt-seem-that-trustworthy

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2015/2/25/8103507/phoenix-suns-goran-dragic-ryan-mcdonough

 

[AzStevenCal]

Well he certainly didn't need to apologize considering what the Suns said about him after he left rather than taking the high road.

Lets not pretend like the FO didn't do anything wrong

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2...e-phoenix-suns-future-bright-reputation-doubt

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2...uns-front-office-doesnt-seem-that-trustworthy

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2015/2/25/8103507/phoenix-suns-goran-dragic-ryan-mcdonough

No pretending. Dragic lied and he basically admitted he lied. End of story. Why do you think he called Sarver and apologized after already having admitted he hadn't meant to make it out to be the way he did. I think he was encouraged to make a statement that would facilitate his exit from the organization. Knowing the kind of person he is (or I believe him to be) I think there might even have been a language issue involved but nothing changes the fact that this nice guy threw the organization under a bus.

Steve

 

[AzStevenCal]

Off topic but I'm watching the Heat game and man do I love watching Goran take it straight at the big man. I wish Bledsoe could learn to do that instead of just trying to draw the foul.

Steve

 

[sunsfan88]

No pretending. Dragic lied and he basically admitted he lied. End of story. Why do you think he called Sarver and apologized after already having admitted he hadn't meant to make it out to be the way he did. I think he was encouraged to make a statement that would facilitate his exit from the organization. Knowing the kind of person he is (or I believe him to be) I think there might even have been a language issue involved but nothing changes the fact that this nice guy threw the organization under a bus.

Steve

I think the apology has more to do with him making the comments public as opposed to keeping it private but that's open for interpretation imo.

 

[SirStefan32]

I think the apology has more to do with him making the comments public as opposed to keeping it private but that's open for interpretation imo.

That's how I read it too. Either way, classy move.

 

[AfroSuns]

No pretending. Dragic lied and he basically admitted he lied. End of story. Why do you think he called Sarver and apologized after already having admitted he hadn't meant to make it out to be the way he did. I think he was encouraged to make a statement that would facilitate his exit from the organization. Knowing the kind of person he is (or I believe him to be) I think there might even have been a language issue involved but nothing changes the fact that this nice guy threw the organization under a bus.

Steve

I said in a thread earlier in the week that he should have **** but am i missing something, did he say beyond he didn't trust the organization.
My saying he shouldn't have said anything do not mean he is lying, remembering when he was brought here everything points to that, but he should have just let it go.

 

[AfroSuns]

Off topic but I'm watching the Heat game and man do I love watching Goran take it straight at the big man. I wish Bledsoe could learn to do that instead of just trying to draw the foul.

Steve

A game of Irony, a win for Heat (Dragic) means the Suns moving up closer to the 8th spot.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I said in a thread earlier in the week that he should have **** but am i missing something, did he say beyond he didn't trust the organization.
My saying he shouldn't have said anything do not mean he is lying, remembering when he was brought here everything points to that, but he should have just let it go.

He said something like "they've lied to me 2, maybe 3 times". My understanding is he was upset because we weren't playing his brother "yet" and because we'd promised to do something about IT and hadn't done it, again, "yet". Those were apparently the lies. There are other interpretations but he hasn't offered any specific example of a lie other than the non-specific one about resolving the PG issue. So it was more of a case of things not happening on the timetable he wanted rather than actually the breaking of a promise but that's not how it came out of his mouth. And like I said, I think the language barrier had something to do with it getting so out of hand.

Steve

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think the apology has more to do with him making the comments public as opposed to keeping it private but that's open for interpretation imo.

That's how I read it too. Either way, classy move.

This comment tells me something else: "Although my recent words came out harsher than I'd intended, I did feel it was time to find a better fit for me as a bball player who only wants to be the best and help my team in every way".

I don't believe he actually intended to say the Suns lied. I think he was trying to say we didn't meet his expectations. The latter happens often, the first one can be a killer in an industry like this one.

Steve

 

[AfroSuns]

He said something like "they've lied to me 2, maybe 3 times". My understanding is he was upset because we weren't playing his brother "yet" and because we'd promised to do something about IT and hadn't done it, again, "yet". Those were apparently the lies. There are other interpretations but he hasn't offered any specific example of a lie other than the non-specific one about resolving the PG issue. So it was more of a case of things not happening on the timetable he wanted rather than actually the breaking of a promise but that's not how it came out of his mouth. And like I said, I think the language barrier had something to do with it getting so out of hand.

Steve

I agree, Dragic is a great guy but he is also a hot head

 

[leclerc]

He really is. And one thing that I've heard from everyone in the media that's Suns related whether its John Gambo, Paul Coro, Amin Elihassan, BSOT bloggers or whoever is that they all agree that Goran Dragic was an extremely nice guy and a very well liked guy.

Its a shame that many people forget everything he did prior to the comments and trade demand and only remember him for that.

I agree. Dragic seems to be a really good guy so I hope he has success in Miami or wherever he is, and I really like how Brandon Knight fits in with our young core. Still positive about the Suns and the future!

 

[Covert Rain]

No pretending. Dragic lied and he basically admitted he lied. End of story. Why do you think he called Sarver and apologized after already having admitted he hadn't meant to make it out to be the way he did. I think he was encouraged to make a statement that would facilitate his exit from the organization. Knowing the kind of person he is (or I believe him to be) I think there might even have been a language issue involved but nothing changes the fact that this nice guy threw the organization under a bus.

Steve

Disagree. I think there is actually much truth to his reaction. Just because he apologized doesn't mean he lied or admitted to it. It's called trying to not burn a bridge. I believe he really does love the fans here and wanted to repair some of the damage. He knows he handled it badly is what it looks like to me. It doesn't absolve the Suns one bit of screwing up this situation.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Disagree. I think there is actually much truth to his reaction. Just because he apologized doesn't mean he lied or admitted to it. It's called trying to not burn a bridge. I believe he really does love the fans here and wanted to repair some of the damage. He knows he handled it badly is what it looks like to me. It doesn't absolve the Suns one bit of screwing up this situation.

Well, I'm going to take his word for it. He said it came out wrong.

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

The apology by Dragic does not negate the fact he threw the Suns under the bus at the trade deadline... supposed good guy and all. Sometimes apologies do not undue wrong and the damage done.

 

[JS22]

No pretending. Dragic lied and he basically admitted he lied. End of story. Why do you think he called Sarver and apologized after already having admitted he hadn't meant to make it out to be the way he did. I think he was encouraged to make a statement that would facilitate his exit from the organization. Knowing the kind of person he is (or I believe him to be) I think there might even have been a language issue involved but nothing changes the fact that this nice guy threw the organization under a bus.

Steve

This.

I was the biggest Dragic homer ever until he completely threw the team / organization under the bus one day before the deadline.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The shame is in what he did, not in how we've treated him since. I remember him for a lot more than just the way he orchestrated his exit and much of it is positive but yes, his recent behavior stained his image for many Suns fans. It wasn't that he forced his way out, it was the way he did it. Attacking the integrity of this organization was a low blow especially since so many people already think poorly of Sarver and by extension, the Suns.

Steve

All he had to say was, "I will not likely sign here next summer. I think I need a change of scenery. It would probably be good for the Suns to trade me before the deadline." He could have been more clear in private, saying he did not intend to resign here.

And he should have done it three weeks before the deadline, not three days. We still would have hated it, but it would have well his reasonable prerogative to say it.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The apology by Dragic does not negate the fact he threw the Suns under the bus at the trade deadline... supposed good guy and all. Sometimes apologies do not undue wrong and the damage done.

There are some people who would rather ask forgiveness than permission. Everyone hates them.

 

[Covert Rain]

Well, I'm going to take his word for it. He said it came out wrong.

Steve

So you wouldn't take his word when is reaction was probably more honest but will take it now? OK.

I don't doubt it came out wrong but that doesn't mean there wasn't some truth in his reaction. Usually people are generally more honest with their first reaction. Not after their agent or player talks to him or guilt sets in.

Besides, it's telling that he apologized to Sarver and not the FO folks. I hear time and time again Sarver is letting basketball people run the show now. Maybe Goran believes what many fans on this board believe (Sarver is now pretty hands off) and realizes he didn't think the overall organization deserved that shot. Maybe he realizes it pissed some fans off.

I don't think anybody is debating Dragic handled it badly though. We know he did. I will take his "word for it" the first time he reacted. If anybody admitted anything it's the FO when they traded half the freaking roster.