Displeased with how the media scheduling has been set up in the NBA Finals, LeBron James opted out of speaking at the podium after Game 2, Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com writes. James also chose to bypass the podium after practice on Saturday.
Per Vardon, James wasn’t happy having to wait for the Warriors to finish their own interviews before he could give his own following the Game 1 loss last Thursday. Instead, on Sunday, James opted to speak to the media in the team’s locker room as soon as he was available to do so.
This begs the question of whether James’ response is appropriate given the situation. We’d like to hear what readers have to say about it in the comments section below.
Should athletes like James, paid handsomely to serve as professional athletes (a role that comes with inherent media obligations) speak whenever they’re scheduled by the league’s media department? Or does James have a point here?
In contrast, should the league’s media department be more sensitive to the fact that frustrated players aren’t likely to be enthused by the thought of sitting around waiting just to answer questions?
Ultimately the majority of fans acknowledge the media commitments that come with playing in the NBA but perhaps there’s a compromise that would appease all parties.
Weigh in below!
You could see the frustration on his face in Game 2. It doesn’t shock me that he didn’t want to answer the questions of:
“What adjustments have to be made?”
“What’s gotta happen to win Game 3”
If this happened every time they lost. It would be a big deal. It’s happened one time. The media can chill out
Honestly, as a viewer the interviews provide nothing special or even necessary.
Unless a player says something outlandish it isn’t providing much other than knowing whether players are smitten, crushed or just indifferent to the game played.
I feel like players should have media obligations but if they’re not given the microphone within 20 minutes of reaching the locker room, then they have the option to leave.
It is not crucial enough to make players wait on.
Go dubs.
thats pretty much the point though. they want to see how a player reacts body language wise and vocally.
Two media rooms…both teams @ podium at the same time. Let the reporter decide who they want to hear from. It’s all recorded anyway.
i agree, but for media it’s important to them to ask that “big question”.
I don’t care at all.
ESPN and the networks who pay billions for NBA content to shovel to the huge casual fan base, care a lot.
Do we really need to hear from them? The last really memorable post-game interview was Allen Iverson’s “practice” speech. I don’t really consider “media obligations” to be part of a player’s job. If I am an owner on a team, I want my best player to be content and if he doesn’t like talking to the media (a la Eddie Murray or Marshawn Lynch), then so be it. The media can report on the game without some throwaway quote from a player.
I feel like nobody should talk if they don’t have to I’m actually mad at myself for not shutting up right now
The road team has always be first to be interviewed then the home team.
That’s the way it’s always been and should continue to be.
You guys are making it out like he’s gotta solve racial inequality or bring peace to the Middle East. He can answer a few questions at the mic
Media obligations =/= waiting obligations. You want to interview a player? Show up on time. It’s not reasonable to expect someone to just wait indefinitely.
Wow, usually LeBron isn’t vocal and does everything asked of him quietly
LeBron is the best player in the league. He can do what he wants. If he doesn’t want to wait around to answer the question, “Why did you guys lose?”, and then him say, “We didn’t score as many points.” I can see why they get frustrated and don’t feel like waiting around to get asked the same stuff every night, but if the media comes on time then you should talk ro them, even if it is very brief.
Except he’s not the best player in the League…KD is better, Kawhi is better, Harden is better, Westbrook is better….stop drinking the Kool-Aid..LeSteroid is the NBA constructed Marketing Darling.
LMAO what? Harden doesn’t even play basketball. He shoots and flops. Doesn’t rebound doesn’t defend. Not even a whole player. Good troll though.
“Inherent media obligations” is rubbish. For example why do coaches have to do awkward interviews with low level reports before half time? Or the cameras showing the coaching talking during time outs. If a player wants to speak his or her mind in this era he should use social media. And no obligations or media departments
He is the exemplar of the spoiled, idolized professional athlete. Who cares what he thinks – the part time GM who constructed a mess of a time with worn out players for a bench ?