Coddling Of The NBA Player

Kyrie Irving and James Harden’s actions these past few weeks are inexcusable and they set a bad precedent. 

• By Jamie Mah @grahammah

Kyrie Irving, one of the best players in the NBA and point guard for the Brooklyn Nets finally suited up and played last night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Let me be clear, he hasn’t been sick or injured. Kyrie had missed the past seven games because he needed personal time. On Tuesday he returned to the team and gave this press conference. In it he details his struggles with getting his head straight about family and personal stuff. 

For some reason this story irks me. Let me explain. 

There’s a simple belief we all accept when we are hired for a job. Our employer pays us to work. To arrive on time and to do our job to the best of our abilities. Being an NBA player is no different. Kyrie actually signed a contract. He is contractually obligated to play or he forfeits pay. This season alone the Nets are paying him $33,460,350. That’s $464,727.083 per game. He makes more per game than most make in years. So let’s just say his missing games is kinda a big deal. 

Now up until yesterday, his coach, former league MVP and Canadian Steve Nash hadn’t been told why he needed his absence. The Nets General Manager Sean Marks hadn’t been told why either. None of his teammates had as well. This to me is inexcusable.

Now I get that Kyrie is a man and that he’s human. If he says he’s going through personal and family stuff, I respect that. You need time away? Sure. Just ask. Explain yourself. Tell us why? 

Part of your job as a player comes with acknowledging that you are apart of a team. A collective. Forcing your coaches, teammates and organization to sit in the dark for two weeks while you deal with your shit is no excuse. Especially when you’re making the kind of money you are getting. 

Then there’s Tuesday’s interview. First let’s look at your body language. You don’t sit up and detail why you were away. You lean forward disrespectfully. Hands crossed as if you don’t care what the media and your fans think. Your disposition is shameful. Those in the media that are there to ask you questions are just doing their job. They want answers. Be straight and honest and this will go smoothly. But no, not you. When ESPN reporter Malika Andrews asks you if you knew that dancing with your family might have caused you to violate the NBA’s health and safety protocols you shrug her and don’t even answer the question. What gives bud?

Then right after, Christian Winfield from the New York Daily News asks quite bluntly and with empathy if you are okay? 

You’ve been away Kyrie. This is your time to help everyone around you understand why you’ve been absent. No one is coming after you. The league and those who cover it are understanding of your circumstances. Mental health is a forefront issue in the world now. It’s taken seriously. No one is laughing or mocking you. So when asked how you are, just speak up. Be real. Respect will come if you do. But no, what do you do. You say nothing. Come on bud? Don’t be so disrespectful and sensitive. 

Later on in the interview Kyrie details that fans don’t know him, that the media and all the hoopla of conjecture are based around falsehoods. That his love for the game is still strong but that he feels a sense of responsibility as a player now, to give back, be a leader for his community. 

Look I get all of that, I respect the hell out of him for wanting to be a pillar of good for those around him. Buying George Floyd’s family a house is wonderful. There is goodness in the man which I think he should be commended for. But bud, Kyrie, you are a player first. Missed games happen sure, but your standing and credibility are built upon doing your job. You can do both. I say this because there’s a responsibility that comes with being paid what you are being paid. You want to give back? Make change? Well you need to earn that first. 

There are plenty of people in this world who are going through stuff and I’m damn sure a lot of them don’t have the luxury to just not show up to work when things get tough. Luckily for you, I guess you do. Is that fair? No. But thankfully you have a supportive and understanding employer. I just want you to remember that yes, the Brooklyn Nets pay your salary, but we the fans pay them. Don’t disrespect us bud. Your answers on Tuesday were understandable and completely reasonable. But just be honest with us. Be up front and don’t disrespect us. Your legacy will be much stronger if you do. 

As the great Stephen A. Smith would say later that night. “Just ball bud. Just ball”

Now what happened here between Kyrie, the Nets, the NBA and its fans is inexcusable. Fans deserve to know and they deserve honesty. We’ll respect what your reasons are, just be straight that’s all. The Nets should have suspended him without pay for part of his absence. Players need to understand that if you want the money you need to perform. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t be expected to be paid what you are paid and just leave whenever you want. Every player goes through stuff. But you suit up anyway. Why? Because it’s your job. That’s why. 

Kyrie’s actions aren’t new. The league over the past decade has lost a lot of its credibility because players nowdays complain of needing time off. Rest for this and that. Yet they get paid more than ever. 

If I’m the owners I’d be like. “Sure you want more flexibility? Let’s talk. But your pay will be affected.”

Kyrie talks about social responsibility but he forgets what he gets paid each game he suits up. How so many people would kill to be in his shoes. Don’t lose sight of what you have Kyrie. It’ll be gone before you know it. 

When Michael Jordan came back after his first retirement in 1995 he did something very few players do these days. He played every game. Every game. All 82. For three straight seasons. Why? Because he understood the responsibility his position and his salary commanded he do. In doing so, his standing with his team and fans all around the world grew. There’s a certain amount of respect that comes from being there everyday. I’m sure he had days where he was tired and emotionally drained. Hell you can watch it in the Last Dance if you want to see for yourself. But he played anyway. 

Tired or not, Michael knew that playing set a precedent. That some kid in the stands might only be there that one night. I think players today have lost that. James Harden just treated the first month of the season like a pouting child not getting his way. How he acted towards his Houston fans and teammates in trying to get traded was shameful. He should have been fined heavily for his actions, especially now that we can see how he’s played in his first three games for the Nets. 

Kyrie’s actions could lead to other players feeling empowered to just not suiting up when they’re sad or dealing with something personally. Again, it sets a bad precedent. Things come up. Players are human. A game off here or there might be needed. I get this, but reasons need to be given. Respect for the game, fans and your team is a must first. The same goes for James Harden. I’m sure numerous players on other bad teams want to be traded. But even if they do, they still suit up. Do their job. 

That’s all we ask of you as fans. Just do your job. Most of us don’t have the luxury to call in when we’re dealing with problems. You might and that’s great, but it doesn’t mean you should. Give us that. Show us that you care and that you understand how lucky you are. And if you really need time away, then just be straight with us. That’s all we ask. 

Ugh…there are times when I miss David Stern. He’d never put up with this shit.