Posted on 12/19/2020 12:25:22 AM PST by conservative98
Irving, the Nets’ star point guard, recently threatened to boycott talking to the media, instead releasing statements through a PR person or on social media. He and the Nets were both fined $25,000 for breaking the NBA’s media rules and Irving did speak with reporters on Monday.
Barkley went off on Irving during an appearance on ESPN’s “Keyshawn, JWill & Zubin” show Thursday morning for thinking he could skirt his media responsibilities and his overall approach.
“They don’t pay you $40 million just to play basketball. Part of it is sitting down with you guys, sitting down with me and Kenny [Smith] and Ernie [Johnson] and [Shaquille O’Neal], talking to New York reporters,” Barkley said. “Being with the media is part of your professional obligation, and you can say what you want to say. But these guys today, they’re different. I don’t hate on them, but I’m not sure what point Kyrie is trying to make.”
Barkley went on to talk about how he is confused over what Irving is actually trying to say. Irving seemingly called the media “pawns” in an Instagram post and said when speaking to the media that it was about “the mistreatment of certain artists when we get to a platform of when we make decisions within our lives to have full control and ownership.”
Barkley wasn’t having it.
“He starts talking about what an artist is,” the TNT analyst said. “He’s a basketball player. That’s what he is. Listen, we’re not front-line responders. We’re not teachers. Yo man, you dribble a basketball, stop acting like you’re the smartest person in the world.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
“Now can you talk about social issues and things like that? Of course. But some of this other stuff, I’m like ‘Yo, man, you do realize you’re just a basketball player, right?’ And it seems like he’s like, ‘No, I want you guys to know I’m the smartest guy in the room.’ Well, first of all, you’re not. You only went to college for six months. A lot of guys are smarter than you are. Just answer stupid basketball questions. And if you want to say something about social justice, say it and mean it, because it’s important and significant. But all that other stuff? Like, yo, man, shut the hell up and talk basketball.”
Chuck is the king of saying what’s on your mind. I’ve been a fan since “I am not a role model”.
If you go back forty years ago, there just wasn’t that much of a Q-and-A theatrical production with basketball. The news folks are nuts about this now and it’s just a simple waste of time.
I’d rather they just play basketball, and do a lot less talking in general.
Should he talk or shut up? Barkley’s advice is confusing.
stupid bball questions and good causes - keep talking
all that other stuff (like Lebron talking about China a couple years ago) - hec no
What's bassaball?
I haven't watched a pro game since the days of Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson.
Most of these guys would have a tough time getting a job at McDonald’s. But they are multi-millionaires by playing a kid’s game. The source of the problem is the idiot fans who give them money.
The last NBA game I’ve watched was around 2012. To be honest though....from pure entertainment, it’s the 1974 to 1995 period that basketball was at some peak. I could probably sit and watch a 1980 game from start to finish, and be highly entertained over the quality of play. I’m surprised they aren’t marketing a channel which plays games all from some era (like 1976 to 1978).
NBA basketball is junk basketball at its finest. Can’t remember when I last watched a game. I was probably when Pete Marivich was playing.
It would shock you how smart they are. But they know they have to play the game for the people. They have to say the right things and pretend to care about the right issues. In sports, you can lose your $$$ job for saying the wrong things.
He didn't tell him to shut up to the media. He did say Irving could tell them whatever he wanted but he still had a professional obligation to talk with the media.
Every single day, these current ‘players’ make Michael Jordan look better & better.
Sadly, even Slick Watts, Sam Lacey and Rick Barry start looking like 5-star players (all from the mid-70s). Some idiot should start a 1972-to-1975 NBA network and just play games from that era. Would be more entertaining than current crowd.
Thanks for the clarification.
NBA = No Brain Available
How tough is it to put a ball thru a hoop anyway?
(ducks)
EuroLeague basketball is more fun to watch than the NBA.
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