More on “Los Suns” story not rising to Star’s journalistic standards

by David Safier (Exclusive to El Blog for Arizona)

The more I thought about the Star not running the Los Suns story, the more I realized how ridiculous it was. I'm leaning toward thinking it was a conscious decision, that someone said, "No, we're not running that damn story in the paper. End of discussion."

Commenter Ed pointed out, the story was in the AZ Daily Sun, another Lee paper. I happen to know it was in the print edition, because I'm in Flagstaff right now with the paper in my hands.

Did you know there's an important Tucson connection that makes the story even more Star-worthy? Suns owner Robert Sarver was "born and raised in Tucson."

How about that. The anti-nativist Sun owner is a native son of Tucson. What a nice ring that has!

I've seen his name on the tennis facility at the Jewish Community Center, so I know he's left a mark in Tucson.

So what does Tucson's own have to say that might merit coverage in Tucson's paper?

Sarver, who was born and raised in Tucson, said frustration with the federal government's failure to deal with the illegal immigration issue led to the passage of what he called "a flawed state law."

"However intended, the result of passing the law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question," he said, "and Arizona's already struggling economy will suffer even further setbacks at a time when the state can ill-afford them."

[snip]

Sarver came up with the "Los Suns" jersey idea but left it up to the players for the final decision, Suns guard Steve Nash said, and all of them were for it. [It was Sarver's idea!!! Tucson should be so proud.]

Phoenix general manager Steve Kerr said he and Sarver talked about making the gesture as the team flew home from Portland last week.

"We just felt like it was important," Kerr said. "We're in the public eye and this is obviously a huge issue. We acknowledge there are two sides to the issue and there are a lot of dynamics. It's a difficult thing to sift through and there are going to be differing opinions. But what we're focusing on is we want to celebrate the diversity that exists in our state and the diversity that exists in the NBA, make sure that people understand that we know what's going on and we don't agree with the law itself."

By the way, what does the NBA Players Association think of the Los Suns gesture?

They love it!

"We applaud the actions of Phoenix Suns players and management and join them in taking a stand against the misguided efforts of Arizona lawmakers," the NBAPA said. "We are consulting with our members and our player leadership to determine the most effective way for our union to continue to voice our opposition to this legislation."

Call me crazy, but I think some people who picked up today's Star might have found all that pretty interesting.