Phoenix Suns: Robert Sarver’s prank was simply epic

Almost any story on the owner of the Phoenix Suns is believable at this point. However, with the state of the team, a recent story may have been taken out of context. 

The Phoenix Suns have had a whole lot of negativity written and said about them this season and with the record they own and all the stories, why wouldn’t there be? However, there was a recent story that seems to have been taken out of context.

By now, we have all heard the story about the goats (yes, live animals) being placed in former GM Ryan McDonough’s office. If you haven’t, here’s a bit on it.

"“Sarver acquired some live goats and planted them in McDonough’s office. The stunt was both a practical joke and an inspirational message — the Suns should find a GOAT of their own, one who dominates like Diana Taurasi. The goats, unaware of their metaphorical connotation, proceeded to defecate all over McDonough’s office.”"

You can read the whole story in Kevin Arnovitz’ article here.

“GOAT” is an acronym for the “greatest of all time”, to anyone that isn’t aware of the phrase. In sports, you should be so you’re welcome. Taurasi is easily the GOAT of the WNBA.

It’s easy, with the current state of the team and McDonough being fired before the season, to see that story and utter an expletive while thinking so poorly of the operations of this team. Seriously, a boss placing a live animal that decided to go number two all over your office and walking into the crap storm, doesn’t usually bring a smile to your face.

However, let’s take a look at what the story didn’t tell you.

Evidently the goal for Sarver was to remind McDonough that the Suns needed to eventually land themselves a GOAT. This happened on June 30th, 2017 on the eve of free agency. Taurasi had just set the WNBA scoring record.

The owner of the team wanted the GM of the team to get a GOAT of their own. It makes sense, was meant to be motivational and was a metaphorical showing of how the franchise could make a huge jump forward.

McDonough was brought onto a podcast shortly after the story came out.

"“I feel bad for Robert with how this story is being portrayed. We all thought it was funny. It was not malicious. It was not mean spirited. It was a fraternity house prank and everyone got a good laugh out of it.”"

You can listen to the whole podcast here.

It was a prank guys and one that was taken well by all involved, it seems. The only reason why it was taken in a negative manner is because the state of the team.

If in that free agency, the Suns would have found a GOAT, the team would have started winning and McDonough was still on board, this would be looked back at and everyone would laugh at the funny story.