The Constant War Between NBA Players and the Media
What do NBA players and coaches have in common with Donald Trump? They’re both predisposed to have a distaste for “the media.”
The NBA playoffs. A time when W’s matter and L’s hurt, a time when players cleanse themselves of social media, and a time when players and coaches consistently partake in awkward, often combative, exchanges with members of the media. The playoffs began a month ago and in that time we’ve had several notable player/coach-media blow-ups:
These type of exchanges pop up every now and then throughout the regular season, but become a fairly regular occurrence during the playoffs, when players and coaches take the podium after every game. They make post-game press conferences almost must-see, and while they can certainly be entertaining from a distance, there is something inherently wrong and uncomfortable about them.
A Conflict of Professions
NBA players, and often even coaches, seem to forget that the people asking them questions, whether pre-game, in-game, or post-game, are just doing their job. To treat reporters in a condescending or rude manner, then, is to implicitly place one profession above another, which many don’t seem to realize. I don’t think players consciously place their profession above that of reporters, but their treatment of reporters hints at the presence of a predisposed distaste and lack of respect for the media.
Many have criticized the current U.S. President for his irrational attacks on “the media.”
The way Trump treats the media is not significantly different than how NBA players and coaches treat the media. Their comments aren’t usually as extreme and harsh as Trump’s, although some have gotten close (i.e., Kevin Durant), but they rarely receive any widespread criticism. In the case of Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich, the media itself embraces it, for some twisted reason, and excuses Pop by chalking it up to just “Pop being Pop”, which was what made Doris Burke’s Mothers’ Day game interview so satisfying to watch:
These instances occur because the jobs of each party are directly tied to the other. It’s mandatory that NBA players and coaches make themselves available to the media, and the media’s job requires them to be present. It definitely does not help that these interviews often occur after games, when emotions are still high, but until a better set-up presents itself, both sides are obligated to be there, whether or not they like or want to be there.
A Conflict of Personalities
Making matters worse is the fact that the job description and the personalities that are drawn to them are inherently conflicting. Reporters, by the very nature of their profession, are required to ask questions and pry. They are truth-seekers. Athletes, on the other hand, generally dislike being questioned by people who lack their level of expertise (i.e., most of the media), and as a byproduct of the drive and self-motivation that got them to where they are, they seek out things that annoy them and use them for extra motivation.
Everybody is aware that sports can get emotional, particularly for those actually involved, but “professional” comes first in “professional athlete.” On the flip side, it’s also not unreasonable to expect media members to ask better questions. There’s a certain logic to asking broad and generic questions (letting the story develop on its own rather than getting content to fill a determined narrative) that’s understandable, but more nuanced questions would undoubtedly lead to more desirable answers.
The Simple Solution
To the media: read the room, be more conscious about the situation, adapt questions accordingly, be more nuanced, and stand your ground. Players and coaches: understand that the media is doing their job as much as you are by answering their questions. If you’re asked a question you deem stupid, point it out in a way that doesn’t border on public embarrassment, and remember that the media isn’t out to get you. Can we all just get along?
