The NBA has reportedly launched an investigation into a Twitter account that users suspected could be used by veteran league umpire Eric Lewis. according to NBA reporter Marc Stein.
The account @Cuttliff Blairwhich has since been stripped of its tweets, made the rounds on Twitter after user @PabloEscoburner – in a tweet giving a hat tip to fellow user @Mikey_Wyllin – shared over three minutes of screen recordings of featured tweets criticizing users’ views and Lewis’ acting skills.
The user pointed out that the account followed NBA and refereeing-related accounts, along with an account from the George Mason University women’s basketball team. The team is coached by Vanessa Blair-Lewis, Lewis’ wife.
The account appears to still be active as of Sunday morning – following @PabloEscoburner.
The account later responded to @PabloEscobarner’s Twitter thread and claimed to be “MARK Lewis,” adding that it was Eric Lewis’ older brother.
“I’m sorry for putting E in this situation, but this isn’t Watergate. You are right, the account will be deleted. Twitter shouldn’t be so vindictive. I am sorry to cause you inconvenience. wrote @CuttliffBlair late Thursday.
“Just lean in, brother. No shame. 😂”, @PabloEscobarner wrote back.
Lewis, who has been a referee in the NBA for nearly 20 seasons, has officiated over 80 playoff games and six NBA Finals games. according to the National Basketball Referees Association.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James raised eyebrows at the possibility that Lewis is linked to the account in a tweet Saturday.
James’ former Lakers teammate and current Chicago Bulls player Patrick Beverley also commented on the alleged report, citing a game in January There he grabbed a camera and tried to show Lewis that he had missed a foul.
The move earned Beverley a technical foul.
The allegations reminded NBA fans of former Philadelphia 76ers executive Bryan Colangelo, who subsequently resigned from his post a report by The Ringer linked him to a number of Twitter accounts criticizing former and current Philly team players.