It’s no secret that the relationship between the media and NBA players can be complicated. Sure, we get the highlight reels, the constant stream of new content, and booming talents. However, the negative stuff often steals the spotlight as former players and other personalities in the media continue to latch onto the flaws.
You see this all the time. Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley are the most obvious offenders. No matter how well a player is playing, it feels like there’s always something for them to nitpick or downplay. And it’s not just those two, plenty of former players in the media follow suit.
Some argue it’s about holding players to a higher standard, but to others, it sure feels like they’re just hating on younger players for no reason. Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving shares the latter view, and he’s not afraid to call it what it is.
“Let’s stop allowing people to come into our culture, our spiritual game and tell us what’s right and what’s wrong. And I’m talking to some of the former players, too. They have lost their way,” Irving said. “There are some former players who just be talking chat s***. You don’t even be talking about anything. All you do is hate on the younger players,” Irving said.
