NBA commissioner Adam Silver finally apologizes to Masai Ujiri

NBA commissioner Adam Silver regrets the comments he made about Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, he told Michael Grange of Sportsnet.

Silver, who was interviewed on the show, shared his thoughts about the alleged assault by Ujiri on Alameda County sheriff’s deputy Alan Strickland as the Raptors’ executive was making his way onto the court to celebrate the team’s Larry O’Brien championship in 2019.

"It’s part in parcel of what comes with someone who is living on the edge a bit and is hardwired to sort of march forward with incredible energy," Silver said of Ujiri's "role" in the incident.

"I think lessons learned for him without assigning culpability or blame to anyone. As a leader, those are the kind of situations he needs to learn to avoid."

Silver, in a recent phone interview with Grange, said he was remorseful for his comments regarding the incident.

"When I watch that last bit of the interview, in light of what we now know, I would love to take those words back," Silver told Grange. "[Masai] and I at this point have probably talked about that night 100 times since then. He has my full and unequivocal support.

"But I apologize to Masai for what I said in that interview… Believe me, when I look at that now, I cringe when I watch it."

Although an investigation was launched into the now infamous incident involving Ujiri and courtside police officer Alan Strickland, the Raptors president was never charged. Earlier this month, Strickland dropped his lawsuit against Ujiri stemming from the incident. In response, Ujiri dropped his countersuit.

The video evidence above helped corroborate Ujiri’s side of the story, and gave no merit to the claims made by Strickland.

In recent comments made regarding the matter, Ujiri vowed to fight for those who experience similar interactions with the police.

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