NBA opens investigation into ref Eric Lewis over alleged burner account
NBA referee Eric Lewis is in the middle of a burner account controversy that the league is now launching an investigation into.
An avatar-less Twitter account: @CuttliffBlair, listed under the username “Blair Cuttliff,” is the account in question after other users found curious tweets in defense of Lewis and other NBA officials — which were posted by Twitter user Pablo Escobarner.
Long-time NBA reporter Marc Stein first reported that the league has opened an investigation, and if tied to the account, Lewis could face discipline.
The possible issue the account creates is a league rule against referees commenting on officiating publicly without authorization.
Lewis, 52, was also in the middle of another controversy that unfolded on social media, where an old photo of his family in Celtics gear was discovered on Twitter.
It brought to attention Boston’s abnormally good record in games he’s officiated — winning more than 60 percent of the time.
Lakers star LeBron James reacted on social media to the Lewis news.
“This Eric Lewis (poop emoji) true???,” James wrote
NBA referee Eric Lewis. NBAE via Getty Images
As did Bulls guard Patrick Beverley, who when with the Lakers in January famously grabbed a camera in a game against the Celtics to show Lewis a picture a call he though he missed against James.
“Laughed at me when I grabbed the camera (camera emoji) yea aight,” Beverly wrote on Satuday.
Lewis has been a referee in the NBA for nearly two decades, according to the league’s website, and has officiated several playoff games this season, including Game 7 of the Celtics and 76ers Eastern Conference semifinal series.
A game Boston won.
Source: New York Post
