76ers president linked to variety of Twitter accounts

The Philadelphia 76ers are investigating whether team president Bryan Colangelo used a variety of Twitter accounts to anonymously trash some of his own players and fellow executives and defend himself against criticism from fans and the sports media.

The allegations, reported Tuesday by the website The Ringer, raised questions about Colangelo’s future and that of the NBA team itself, a rising franchise heading into perhaps its most important summer ever as it tries to attract free agents to contend for championships.

The five Twitter accounts under suspicion took aim at Philadelphia players Joel Embiid and Markelle Fultz, former Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie, Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri and former Sixers players Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel, according to The Ringer.

Among other things, the user or users of the accounts complained that Embiid was “playing like a toddler having tantrums.”

Magic hire Clifford: Steve Clifford was there the last time the Orlando Magic were a playoff contender. He’s being asked to make them one again.

Clifford was announced as the new coach of the Magic, a team that has missed the playoffs in each of the last six years. Clifford – who spent the last five seasons as coach of the Charlotte Hornets – was an assistant coach on Stan Van Gundy’s Magic staff for five years.

Draft decisions: Wednesday was the final day for players to decide whether to stay in NBA draft.

Among those returning to school: Purdue’s Carsen Edwards, a Big Ten player of the year candidate, and Michigan’s Charles Matthews.

Among those staying in the draft: Omari Spellman of defending national champion Villanova and Maryland sharpshooting forward Kevin Huerter.