The media and its narratives largely dictate NBA storylines and what certain fans, particularly casual viewers of the NBA, think of certain players. Because of their large impact, the media simply needs to be better and display more truth than it has recently.
As of late, it feels like some members of the media simply have not been watching games with some comments being made. The comments that are being made just don’t make any sense what the majority, if not all, basketball fans see when they watch a player.
The most egregious of these takes is from Kendrick Perkins of ESPN, who said that Nikola Jokic has been “stat-padding”. Jokic averages a triple double on the best team in the West, and the team has an undefeated record this season when he achieves a triple double. Is that really stat padding?
Jokic is simply having an absurd season, and attempting to discredit him is just unfair. He’s averaging 24.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 10.0 assists per game on an absurdly efficient, league-leading 70.3 TS% (among qualified players).
Even worse is Perkins doubling down on Jokic hate. On First Take, he said the following: “"When it comes down to guys winning MVPs since 1990, it's only three guys that won the MVP that wasn't top-10 in scoring. Do you know who those three guys were? Steve Nash, Jokic and Dirk Nowitzki. Now, what do those guys have in common? I'll let it sit there and marinate. You think about it."
This is just an insane statement to make. Insinuating that Jokic won his 2020-21 MVP and is expected to win this 2022-23 MVP because of his race is not only dumb but just complete hating on Perkins’ behalf. The guy’s the best offensive player in the league (by a good margin; no one is close to touching him) on the best team in the West (by a 5 game margin).
Kendrick Perkins isn’t the only one looking stupid from the media, anyway. Shaquille O’Neal made a rather outlandish comment about Anthony Edwards, essentially saying that he has not proved himself to be a legitimate high-quality NBA player.
“I think he's a fabulous player but you have to be great for a long period of time,” O’Neal said. “We all remember Jeremy Lin. What happened to him?"
Linsanity lasted for less than two months, so why is Anthony Edwards being compared to this? For the entire season, Edwards is averaging 24.6 points. Sure, his efficiency is slightly below average (56.5 TS%), but a large burden of his shots are self-created. He is a gifted shot creator and one of the league’s best in that department.
And it’s not like Edwards, who was just a first-time All-Star at the age of 21, has only been doing this for just this season. He averaged 21.3 points per game last year. How, in any way, does this look like Jeremy Lin’s run? Why is Edwards being discredited for his season?
A popular Twitter meme is Christian Wood’s quote calling Shaq a casual, and it feels like that may not even be wrong. Comparing Anthony Edwards to Jeremy Lin may be the icing on the cake to verify that statement.
It feels like the mainstream media only wants to pay attention and talk about the Lakers. Seriously, there is too much chatter on talk shows and NBA shows about the 11th seed in the West. Does their new look roster look much better than before the trade deadline? Yes. Could they make a run (when LeBron James is healthy)? Yes. Should they be talked about so much more than every other team? A very clear no.
Jokic and Edwards are two of the league’s best players, and the former is expected to win his third consecutive MVP. The media should be hyping these players up and making fans excited to watch their games. With what’s being said right now, it feels like only the opposite is happening. Be better, media.
Charlie Spungin , NBA Analyst