Ben Simmons 25
03-24-2019, 11:58 AM
above all else... which is unfortunate, but the NBA has turned into the soap opera of sports leagues. It's more about story lines and drama than the integrity of the sport at this point. The other leagues aren't even in the NBA's realm in terms of drama and off the court stories, typically speaking.
And the players are starting to become progressively bigger and bigger dickheads to the media, over perfectly legitimate questions. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook... numerous other stars, but these guys are probably the biggest examples of it. These guys need to get over it.
The media asking potentially intrusive questions is part of the gig of being a public star making millions of millions of dollars. You guys *COULD* go headstrong in negotiations during the next CBA to restrict media member access to players, but at the end of the day you're going to have to take a huge pay cut to do it because league revenue will absolutely go down.
The NBA has become the most drama filled league out of all of the major sports and it's not even close.
I realize that there have always been guys throughout league history that have been irked by the media, but it seems like today's guys are getting progressively thin skinned and more butthurt over literally everything.
Here's an example...
Kyrie Irving...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOM83hhqsd8&t=46
Reporter: "Do you think Klay is a bit underrated as a defender?"
Kyrie: "Is he underrated? Nah. Nah.[dismissive response while giving the reporter a you're a dumb bitch look] I'd like to see him on a few more defensive teams[face has turned to more honest], but... has he made one?[face of curiosity]"
Reporter: "I don't think so."
Kyrie: "Yeah, that's some bullshit.[face and tone have changed to humility at this point rather than defiance as he becomes cognizant of his ****up] You know what I mean? I... psh... yeah. Ha ha. I guess you could consider him underrated then, yeah."
Dude automatically on the defensive and ready to be a contrarian to the reporter's legitimate question... then as he actually takes time to process the question, he realized he was wrong and his demeanor changed.
And this is a pretty typical response from these guys at least once an interview if not far more whether it's post game, pre game, in game, whatever... (although props to Kyrie for at least figuring out his ****up in the moment and catching himself... most of the time players don't do that)
They're clearly worn the **** down by the exposure. And I get it. I wouldn't do it. Not even for millions of dollars would I do it. But that's why they need to realize that it's part of the gig.
You don't just get to "show up and play basketball" Kevin Durant. The NBA's entire league operates on player access and player drama at this point. Fans aren't paying just to see the sport. In a pure world, it would be what you want. But this isn't a pure world. Time to get over it... or retire.
And the players are starting to become progressively bigger and bigger dickheads to the media, over perfectly legitimate questions. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook... numerous other stars, but these guys are probably the biggest examples of it. These guys need to get over it.
The media asking potentially intrusive questions is part of the gig of being a public star making millions of millions of dollars. You guys *COULD* go headstrong in negotiations during the next CBA to restrict media member access to players, but at the end of the day you're going to have to take a huge pay cut to do it because league revenue will absolutely go down.
The NBA has become the most drama filled league out of all of the major sports and it's not even close.
I realize that there have always been guys throughout league history that have been irked by the media, but it seems like today's guys are getting progressively thin skinned and more butthurt over literally everything.
Here's an example...
Kyrie Irving...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOM83hhqsd8&t=46
Reporter: "Do you think Klay is a bit underrated as a defender?"
Kyrie: "Is he underrated? Nah. Nah.[dismissive response while giving the reporter a you're a dumb bitch look] I'd like to see him on a few more defensive teams[face has turned to more honest], but... has he made one?[face of curiosity]"
Reporter: "I don't think so."
Kyrie: "Yeah, that's some bullshit.[face and tone have changed to humility at this point rather than defiance as he becomes cognizant of his ****up] You know what I mean? I... psh... yeah. Ha ha. I guess you could consider him underrated then, yeah."
Dude automatically on the defensive and ready to be a contrarian to the reporter's legitimate question... then as he actually takes time to process the question, he realized he was wrong and his demeanor changed.
And this is a pretty typical response from these guys at least once an interview if not far more whether it's post game, pre game, in game, whatever... (although props to Kyrie for at least figuring out his ****up in the moment and catching himself... most of the time players don't do that)
They're clearly worn the **** down by the exposure. And I get it. I wouldn't do it. Not even for millions of dollars would I do it. But that's why they need to realize that it's part of the gig.
You don't just get to "show up and play basketball" Kevin Durant. The NBA's entire league operates on player access and player drama at this point. Fans aren't paying just to see the sport. In a pure world, it would be what you want. But this isn't a pure world. Time to get over it... or retire.