A prominent NBA reporter twisted himself into knots this week while trying to stand by a report that appears to have been inaccurate.
True Hoop proprietor Henry Abbott on Thursday bizarrely doubled down on his reporting from earlier this month, when he claimed to reveal that Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard would soon be requesting a trade out of Portland.
Abbott even tagged Lillard in a post on Thursday, seemingly unprompted, while digging in his heels that no one was "lying" when he reported that the six-time All-Star was seeking a fresh start.
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Lillard fired back in response to Abbott, saying "What you are reporting is simply not the facts bro. I'm the ultimate source"
Abbott then replied to Lillard's response, asking him to "be very careful" about suggesting he is lying. Lillard seemed to take exception to the unusual phrasing.
"Please be careful?" he asked.
Lillard came up in trade rumors shortly after the Blazers were eliminated from the playoffs. The team has gone in a new direction this offseason, hiring Chauncey Billups as head coach, while owner Jody Allen, sister of late owner Paul Allen, has long been rumored to be interested in selling.
There were other reports indicating Lillard's exit -- whether by trade request or being "pushed out" -- could be imminent, including one from well-respected Yahoo Sports insider Chris Haynes, but Abbott seems to be the most prominent who said it was definitely going to happen.
Whether Lillard was going to ask for a trade and had a change of heart, or whether Abbott's reporting was just plain wrong, his tantrum is unlikely to do him any favors gaining the trust of sources moving forward.
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