Jackson said Parker is one of the most selfish teammates he has ever had.
Tony Parker won four NBA championships during his time with the San Antonio Spurs, but he isn’t immune to criticism.
Parker, who made six NBA All-Star appearances during his professional career and won NBA Finals MVP in 2007, was the subject of conversation during a recent podcast featuring Stephen Jackson and Dejounte Murray.
Both players are former Spurs who played alongside Parker at different points of the guard’s tenure in San Antonio.
Jackson was teammates with Parker when the French star was a rookie in 2001 until 2003 and then again once Parker had already won titles between 2012 and 2014. Murray was drafted in 2016 and shared a locker room with Parker until the veteran left for the Hornets in 2018.
Dejounte Murray opens up about his time with the Spurs. 👀
“My second year, they see I come back obviously getting stronger, getting better. And then that was the year I took the job from Tony. Pop brought us in the office. He told Tony. Tony ain’t like it. I know he ain’t like it … Cuz if he he liked it, he would have mentored me the way he should have. He wouldn’t have went to Charlotte. He would have stayed right there.”
Murray replaced Parker’s spot in the starting lineup in January 2018.
Former Spurs player Stephen Jackson (@DaTrillStak5) says that Tony Parker is a selfish player, a great player,Hall of Famer,but selfish.Says that the Spurs would have won more rings if Tony wasn’t so selfish, and said Manu Ginobili is totally different.
Jackson wasn’t surprised to hear Murray felt this way about Parker and shared similar sentiments:
“I know the type of person Tony is. Great player, going to go down in the Hall of Fame. But he’s very selfish. He’s been selfish. We would have had more championships and more success if it wasn’t for him being so selfish. But he was told as a 16, 17-year-old in France that he was this. He come to the NBA, start as a 19-year-old. But he had a rude awakening … I know the real Tony. He can fool everybody else, but he is one of the most selfish players I have ever played with … It’s all about him. I don’t know how he made it in that system so long.”
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Auburn inked 18 players on the first day of the early signing period, but one important name was missing.
When [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] took over the head coaching job at Auburn on Nov. 28, he entered a tough situation on the recruiting front.
After spending time near the bottom of the SEC rankings, the Tigers ended the day with a top-20 class. The bump was a testament to the hard work of Hugh Freeze and staff to make up for what Freeze felt was unacceptable.
“It’s been a wild two weeks for us,” Hugh Freeze said Wednesday. “We came into this considerably behind what I think Auburn should be in recruiting.”
Loyal commits such as [autotag]Bradyn Joiner[/autotag], [autotag]J.C. Hart[/autotag], and [autotag]Terrance Love[/autotag] all signed with Auburn on the first day of the early signing period, while [autotag]Keldric Faulk[/autotag], [autotag]Connor Lew[/autotag], and [autotag]Stephen Jackson[/autotag] signed with Auburn after previously committing elsewhere.
Despite the excitement surrounding Wednesday’s signees, there was one important name that was not announced as an early signee.
[autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag], a four-star running back from Montgomery, did not sign on Wednesday, making him the only 2023 pledge that did not make his commitment to Auburn official.
Clemente says that Cobb has elected to wait until February to sign his letter of intent so that he can enjoy the special occasion with his teammates at Montgomery Catholic. Although he is waiting an extra six weeks to sign with the Tigers, Clemente is confident that Cobb is locked in with Auburn and does not see another program in the hunt.
Cobb is the No. 12 running back from the 2023 class, and the No. 16 overall prospect from the state of Alabama. Cobb has been committed to Auburn since July 1 and visited the campus three times during the 2022 season.
Kyrie Irving is one of the most polarizing figures in the NBA for a number of reasons. But one thing no one could ever say about the Nets point guard is that his heart is in the wrong place.
He’s always doing some good and giving back to the community. We found out on Monday about some more good he did.
On Basketball News’ “The Rematch” podcast with Etan Thomas, Stephen Jackson talked about the killing of George Floyd at the hands of police. Jackson was a close family friend of Floyd’s.
During the podcast, Thomas asked Jackson how Floyd’s family was doing — particularly, his daughter. He then revealed that Irving bought George Floyd’s family a house after he was killed by police.
“I said I was going to continue to be my brother’s keeper and take care of his daughter and make sure her next days are her best days. And I have a lot of my friends, Kyrie Irving bought them a house, Lil Wayne’s manager bought them a Mercedez-Benz, Barbara Streisand bought them stock in Disney. So, I think God has definitely blessed her and right now she’s doing the best she’s ever done.”
That’s an incredible thing to hear, man. What’s even more incredible is it seems Irving did this “five or six months ago,” according to reporting from ESPN’s Marc Spears.
Shouts to Irving and everyone else for continuing to uplift Floyd’s daughter the way that have. That’s just amazing.
In an appearance on “All The Smoke” with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson said he wants MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to join the Warriors.
When asked about a current player he would like to play with, “The Answer” replied with the reigning back-to-back Most Valuable Player. Former Warrior turned Brooklyn Net Kevin Durant also got a mention as a player Iverson would like to play alongside.
Jackson followed the conversation with a comment about Antetokounmpo leaving Milwaukee for the Bay Area. The 11-time All-Star agreed with Jackson, saying he wants Antetokounmpo to go to the Golden State Warriors.
Watch the exchange between Barnes, Jackson and Antetokounmpo via @warriorsworld on Twitter:
Watch Iverson’s full episode on All The Smoke via YouTube (Barnes, Jackson and Iverson begin discussing Antetokounmpo and the Warriors at the 1:41:45 mark).
While there’s been no indication Antetokounmpo has plans to request a trade out of Milwaukee, the NBA’s transaction wire is known to bring a handful of surprises. Until Antetokounmpo officially signs the dotted line with the Bucks, the fans of Dub Nation will continue to monitor his situation in Milwaukee with hopes of him landing at Chase Center.
Boston’s Jaylen Brown encouraged his peers to continue using their platform to speak out after the DeSean Jackson incident — but to do research as well.
While the Boston Celtics are settling in to their new home away from home at the Disney NBA campus in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, the world outside isn’t slowing down.
During the last few days, a controversy has grown out of a series of anti semitic comments made by New York Eagles football player DeSean Jackson (who has since apologized).
This has added yet another dimension to an already-fraught landscape of how the NBA is handling player concerns over racial justice, a struggle fourth-year shooting guard and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Vice President Jaylen Brown has been navigating from a position of leadership.
After friend of George Floyd — whose killing in late may sparked global protests about police brutality — and former NBA player Stephen Jackson doubled down on the comments of DeSean Jackson even after the latter’s apology, Brown was asked his thoughts on the situation.
Busy with plenty of concerns of his own ahead of the team’s first presser from the so-called ‘bubble’, the Cal-Berkeley product had not yet gotten up to speed on all the details of the difficult situation.
Wisely, he said as much, instead emphasizing that those unfortunate words ought not to discourage other athletes from using their platform for good.
Instead, he called on his peers to educate themselves a bit on issues they want to speak out on.
“I would still like to encourage athletes to speak out on things, not only are we athletes or NBA players or entertainers — we also have obligations to our community, obligations to our family et cetera,” he began.
“So, a lot of times when we speak we represent them. I want to still encourage NBA players and people with influence to do so even though media might think otherwise, [and] other people might think otherwise. I think that’s a form of an oppressive thought, to try to silence our voices.”
I do want to encourage NBA players and athletes and entertainers to continue to do the research and and learn and become more comfortable speaking on certain things,” he added. “A lot of time, athletes feel uncomfortable.”
And it seems Brown wanted to move beyond both of the Jackson’s comments to a more general frame, noting that perhaps sometimes players don’t feel they have a place to speak out on these issues, or perhaps worry how they might be seen for doing so.
“They don’t want to get ridiculed by the media, or they haven’t really put the time in to do the research on [an issue,]” he explained.
“I want to encourage entertainers — and not be discouraged by what may have happened with DeSean Jackson, and continue to use your voice and platform; just use it responsibly. Do your research, ask questions, call people talk about things.”
“I’m not going to let that example quiet my voice or quiet everybody’s voice around us — we have a lot of … influence,” he added.
Brown was careful to emphasize the importance of the responsibility that comes with that platform, however.
“We have obligations to our community, and things like that some people look at me as a voice for the voiceless,” he noted, alluding to his growing role as a leader on several issues in the NBA.
“I want to continue to do that and encourage my brothers that are here in this bubble to do so as well — but challenge yourself to do some research … to not be distracted by social media or video games all the time and spend just a little bit of time just to educate yourself on whatever it is that you choose to play for on the back end.”
The Georgia native revealed he himself suspended his Instagram account for the arrival at the bubble so he would be able to focus on his game, have time to do that research he’s encouraging others to do, and build good habits in pursuit of his goals.
Brown says everyone needs to make the decision that is best for them and no one should criticize them whatever decision they make. "For me, people have died to make a big impact on social justice issues. The least I can do is play basketball."
While it may seem to some — including many fans in their homes still self-isolating due to local conditions or personal necessity — that the world “out there” has slowed to a crawl, the question revealed some of the concerns players had ahead of the bubble.
Namely, how to cope with developments like this from inside the bubble.
For Brown’s part, his measured, evidence-based approach seems a solid one — and deploying the ‘bubble’ itself may yet be one of the best platforms available to help share new ways of thinking about very old problems.
DeSean Jackson then said he had no ill feelings towards Jewish people … but then shared another passage from the same fake thing saying that the Jews will “extort America” as part of their plan for “world domination.”
Former NBA player Stephen Jackson, for some reason, then decided to rush to DeSean Jackson’s side, and for the better part of two days doubled down to defend what DeSean had said.
Person he’s on w: "The point is, you did not just say to me that Jews are not trying to divide the black community."
Jackson: "You know that for a fact? … You know who the Rothschilds are? They own all the banks.”
Jackson then said, “I haven’t said one thing that’s untrue yet"
It seems silly to say this, but: These comments are anti-Semitic. They’re not “controversial” as some media outlets have referred to them. There’s no controversy here. The comments are just plain old anti-Semitic.
(If anything stands out about this little episode it’s that the two of them are riding with a quote attributed to Hitler! Real Hitler! Actual Hitler!)
“Controversial” is how you’d describe a play with full-frontal nudity. His comments were anti-Semitic. https://t.co/pbZKSdSYqx
So yes, they’re anti-Semitic. But they’re also incredibly depressing. And while simply wrong, the background for these comments is more complex than perhaps we’d like it to be, and an example of how power structures can cause historically marginalized groups to turn against each other.
(I guess this is where I disclose that I am Jewish.)
You could write a thesis on how both communities have bought into and espoused stereotypes regarding the other (especially in pop culture). There is a too-long history of racism in the Jewish community in this country and around the world. Essentially: The backdrop for all these thoughts from the two men, as abhorrent and ignorant as they are, is long, complex, and confusing.
So, like most things today, this is a giant, depressing bummer, and also more complicated and sticky than we’d want it to be.
I guess I should just say “this a bad look from Jackson and Jackson,” and move on to the next thing to be sad about. On we go.
This week, 14-year NBA veteran Raymond Felton was a guest on The HoopsHype Podcast. He discussed his NBA career, his free agency, how much longer he wants to play, his concerns about the NBA resuming the season, whether he’s open to signing overseas and more. Listen to the interview above or read a transcribed version of the Q&A below.
You won an NCAA championship at UNC alongside Rashad McCants, Sean May and Marvin Williams among others. That team was so much fun to watch and then all four of you were lottery picks in the 2005 NBA Draft. What was it like to be part of that championship team?
Raymond Felton: Ah, man, it was fun. We went through a lot together. Our freshman year, we went to the NIT and Sean May got hurt – he broke his foot. We went from making the NIT to winning a championship. It was a journey for us. It’s something that we worked really hard for and we just continued to get better each and every year. In our junior year, we really put it all together along with Jawad Williams, Jackie Manuel, Melvin Scott and others. Those guys were there as well and they played a big, vital part in us winning that title.
You spent three years at UNC. Now, many players enter the NBA after just one year in college. Do you think some players would benefit from staying in college longer?
RF: Yes, I think it gives you time to mature and gives you time to learn the game a lot more than coming straight out of high school and going into the big leagues. I don’t think a year [is enough]. I think two years is a good amount of time for a kid to develop and learn how to be on his own and be a professional and be his own person. And, at the same time, they’re continuing to get better and learning the game. You learn so much in college and those basics will help you when you get to the league.
Of all the teams that you’ve played on, which team was the closest or had the best chemistry?
RF: I played on a lot of teams that had great chemistry. That [2012-13] Knicks team that won about 55 games and was the No. 2 seed in the East, that was a great chemistry team. We were all tight-knit and close. My first time around with the Knicks [in 2010-11] when we were young – with Amare Stoudemire, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov, Landry Fields, Toney Douglas – even with that team, we were really close too. The [2009-10] Bobcats team that I was on in my fifth season when we finally got over the hump and made the playoffs, we were really close and tight. I had a really good friend, who was almost like a big brother to me, in Stephen Jackson on that team. Me and Gerald Wallace are really close. Tyson Chandler was on that team and we are really close. DJ Augustin, who’s still my little young fella to this day… There were a lot of guys. I could name a lot of teams that I’ve played for. In Dallas, I was really close with Monta Ellis, Dirk Nowitzki, JJ Barea, Devin Harris… The list could go on and on. I was close with a lot of guys.
You’ve played in big markets and small markets throughout your career. What are the biggest differences when you’re in a big market versus a small market?
RF: To me, it didn’t really matter. It was all about the team to me. I’m all about winning. Thus far, I’ve yet to win an NBA championship, but I’ve won a championship at every other level I’ve played at. It was all about going to a good team; I couldn’t care less if it was in a smaller market or if it was New York or Los Angeles. It doesn’t really matter to me. I just want to play on a good team that’s going to win… Every city that I’ve played in embraced me with love.
(Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)
You’ve played in the NBA for 14 years, which is the kind of longevity that every player wants to have. What advice would you give to younger players who want to have a long, successful career in the NBA?
RF: You just have to continue to work on your game and continue to get better, and learn how to adapt. Your style of play may not fit the team that you’re with, but you gotta find a way to get on the court and you gotta find a way to stay on the court. You have to figure those things out. I think those are the big things for the young guys, just learning how to adapt and learning how to play in different systems. Every system isn’t going to be a fit for you, but you still have to find a way to convince your coach to put you on the court and give you playing time.
How much has the game evolved from the start of your NBA career in 2005 to now?
RF: It’s a big difference, man. When I came into the league, there was a need for natural point guards – pass-first point guards. Now, point guards are scoring almost 30 points per game. You’ve got guys like Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker and these guys who can average 25-plus points per game. Now, point guards are scorers rather than being passers with 15 assists, 16 assists. Those guys still do that sometimes, but they’re also scoring at a high volume.
Yeah, there are so many dominant point guards around the league. If you’re an opposing point guard, you’re matched up against a star in most games and you don’t get many nights off. What do you think of the point guard play in today’s NBA?
RF: Oh man, it’s amazing. To me, when they talk about the toughest position, I think it’s the point guard position because you have to bring it every night. From the time I stepped into the league and still to this day, it’s one of the toughest positions. You have to bring it every night because there’s always somebody on the other team who’s fast, quick, can score and can do a lot of different things. To me, the point guard position is probably one of the toughest [in sports].
There was a rumor that surfaced a few months ago that you had signed with a second-division team in the Czech Republic, but it wasn’t true. What was your reaction when you saw that report?
RF: Well, I was just upset. I had a conversation with a good friend of mine who’s over there training and who’s been coaching a bit overseas. We had a conversation and he asked me about coming over there. I even spoke to the general manager. But I did my research and had some people look into the team and I realized that it’s a small-division team, so I didn’t go. I never signed any deal. I never had my agent call them – they never even had a conversation. So, when that came out, I was just upset. It just felt like it wasn’t an appropriate thing for them to do, but it is what it is. I’m glad I had an opportunity to clear that up. I never had a deal over there, I never went over there and I never had any plans to go over there. It was just simply having a friend who’s over there within that team and having a conversation; that’s all it was.
You’re still a free agent right now and you are eligible to be a replacement player when the NBA season resumes in Orlando. Have you had any conversations with teams about the possibility of getting signed as a replacement player?
RF: I think my agent has, man. But, to me, I’m up in the air about that whole situation because we don’t have this coronavirus thing under control. I have a family, I have kids, and I have other things to worry about. Do I want to play basketball? Yes, I love basketball. I’ve been out for a whole year, so I definitely want to play and I definitely want to be on somebody’s roster. I want to help out, being that leader in the locker room and on the court and playing my role. But it’s kind of hard when six more guys just had a positive test, so we’re talking about more and more guys every week who are coming up positive when tested. Now, you’re going to put everyone together all in one place and play these games? To me, man, it’s just not safe. I ain’t no expert on this. But, in my opinion, it’s not safe. I’m just not 100-percent comfortable with playing right now because it’s not okay. The cases are steady going up. And they’re going to Florida, which is one of the worst places to go at this moment! I don’t know, man. It’s kind of tough for me. I do want to play. I do love to play basketball, and I’m ready to play and want to play. But it’s a tough situation right now, man. It really is.
If you decide against playing in Orlando, would you then focus on signing with a team next season (when things are hopefully getting back to normal a bit)?
RF: Oh, no question… It’d be like I was away for just one season and I would definitely be looking to try to get with somebody next season. I just want to play. I’m not retiring. I want to play. Even if I have to go across that water to play, I will. I just want to play basketball. I’m not ready to let the game go yet.
It seems like NBA teams are going after younger players rather than signing veterans who can make an impact on the court and off the court (as a leader and mentor). Has that been frustrating?
RF: I think it’s very frustrating because I think it’s what these young guys need. The player-development coaches are great and it’s something that the kids need, but you also need a veteran. When I came into the league, I had a bunch of veterans who helped me out – Juwan Howard, Kurt Thomas, Derek Anderson, Brevin Knight. I had guys like that – older guys who had played 14+ years in the league already – who took me under their wing and taught me a lot of things (not just on the court, but off the court too). I think that’s missing now. That’s a vital thing that a lot of teams don’t take into consideration. You still need that. You still need an older, veteran player on the team who’s been in the league, who’s been around this for a while and who’s used to being in the NBA and [knows] everything that comes with being an NBA player because this is stuff that some of these young guys need to know! These guys are coming into the NBA younger and younger – at 18 and 19 years old – so they need some guidance. Sometimes, coaches aren’t able to get across to them what they need to hear and how they need to hear it. Sometimes, they need to hear it from somebody who’s been through it for 15 years and who they really trust and will listen to. I think that’s a vital thing that’s missing, man. Hopefully one day that will change, but I don’t know…
(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
How much longer do you want to continue playing?
RF: My ultimate goal was always 16 years. I’ve played 14 before this season, so this year would’ve been 15. I want to play another two years and if I can stretch it to three, I will. But I definitely want to play another two because I still want to reach my goal of playing 16 years.
You mentioned that you’re open to going overseas if you have to and I’m sure international teams have been reaching out to your agent. Have you received interest from a lot of overseas teams this year?
RF: They’ve been having talks. They’re having some conversations now, just to kind of get on top of it. This is the first time that I’ve actually been open to, just seeing the changes in the league and how they want to go younger and want to basically not even have veterans that much anymore. It’s just one of those things where I’m like, “Okay, well, I still want to play…” So even if I have to go play over there, that’s what I’m going to do. That’s how that came about.
During this year that you haven’t been in the NBA, how have you spent your time and what have you been doing to stay in shape?
RF: Before the season was [suspended], I was in Houston; I was working out every day, training, playing pick-up and all of that. But once the gyms closed, I really didn’t have anything to do but try to do what I can at home. From being in the basketball world for so long, I have friends and people I know who have gyms and stuff that I can get in. But, for the most part, a lot of people shut their gym down for almost a month and a half – even my friends had to shut down because they were going to get in trouble since the state required it. In a lot of situations, it was tough. Over the last month, I’ve been able to get back in the gym and get back on the basketball court again – touching a ball again and getting shots up and getting back to it – and it’s just been great. I’ve been going at it every day. I’m still trying to spend time with my kids and do all of that, but I’m trying to keep myself ready and safe at the same time. I’m staying prepared for that phone call.
Some NBA coaches and trainers have suggested that veterans may have an advantage coming out of this break since they have experience keeping their body in shape and can do everything on their own whereas young players rely on their trainers and coaches a lot more. Do you agree that veterans may have had an edge during the break?
RF: No question. You know how to take care of your body and you know the things to do for recovery. I have pretty much everything that we get at the facility here at my house; I have all of the things that I need to recover here. So, yeah, I think that is an advantage – knowing your body and knowing what you have to do to be in shape and to be game-ready without having somebody with you 24/7 who’s helping you and walking you through stuff. Knowing that stuff is a big difference between veterans and young guys.
You won multiple state championships in high school, you won an NCAA championship at UNC. What would it mean for you to add an NBA championship to your list of accomplishments?
RF: Ah, man, that would be the like icing on the cake of my career. Just being able to say that I’ve won a ‘ship at all three levels, that would be amazing. Hopefully, before I walk away from this game, I can say that I did that. But we’ll have to see what happens.
You’ve played for seven teams in 14 years. When you change teams, you’re adjusting to new coaches, new teammates, new cities and so on. Was moving from team to team in recent years difficult for you?
RF: I think the moving part is more difficult. Like, moving from team to team and getting adjusted to different coaches isn’t a hard thing for me because I’m a student of the game. I study the game and I like to get to know coaches and their plays. I’m a student, so it’s never difficult for me because I like to watch film and see how I can be successful in the offense and learn the defensive scheme and how they do things. I’m just a student of the game; I love to watch other players and see what other coaches do. It was never really a tough moment for me. It was all about just growing relationships with my coaches and that’s something that I did with pretty much all the coaches that I played for.
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Moving is the rough part. There aren’t many professions where your employer tells you, “We’re moving you across the country permanently and you need to leave tomorrow.” How did you react the first time you were traded?
RF: Ah man, I was hurt. I was hurt. I mean, I was having one of my best seasons in my career. In my first time with New York, I was averaging like 17.0 or 18.0 points and 9.0 assists. I was having a great year and it was just tough when that trade happened. I got sent to Denver [in the Carmelo Anthony deal] and it was tough… It was just tough. I was hurt about that one, I ain’t even going to lie to you. (laughs)
Does it get easier the more times you get traded? Do you sort of get used to it?
RF: Yeah, it’s just one of those things where I try to look at the positive part of it and say, “Listen, at least somebody wants you!” When nobody wants you, that’s when it gets worse. When you have people inquiring about you, that’s always a good thing.
I’m sure you’re used to dealing with rumors by now. I know some players read every rumor while others try to ignore them. What is your approach to rumors?
RF: I just don’t read it, man. I don’t read what people say, and I don’t read what the media writes when it comes to rumors. When it comes to that stuff, I just block it out. If my agent calls me, then I’m like, “Okay, now this is something serious.” If he calls me and says that a team is inquiring about me and the team that I’m with is talking to him and they’re trying to figure out a deal, that’s when I’m like, “Okay, I might be on the move.” That’s different, when you get that phone call.
After your playing days are over, what career path do you want to pursue?
RF: I’ve thought about it, but I don’t know. It’s going to be something within basketball – training kids, getting kids prepared for the NBA Draft, getting kids prepared for their season, just helping out and being a mentor. I thought about coaching, but I’m not sure about that. I’m still up in the air about that. But that’s something where I could give my knowledge back to the game. I don’t know. I have kids who are coming up and who want to play as well, so I don’t know if I want to put all of that time back into the game after I’m done and not be able to coach [my kids] and be at their games and be around. I just have a lot to think about when it comes to all of that.
How has fatherhood changed you?
RF: It’s made me grow up as a man and it’s made me look at life and a whole lot of things differently. It’s great being a dad. I get to see all of the things that my dad got to see when I was coming up – the things that used to make him happy and proud, and the things that used to make him upset (laughs). I see all of those things now. It’s a beautiful thing. I love being a dad.
Matt Barnes heard there’s more to the reason why Kyrie Irving doesn’t want the NBA to resume 2019-20 than what’s been put out.
NBA players, both current and ex, have expressed they don’t agree with Kyrie Irving’s idea that the 2019-20 season should remain on hold while the Black Lives Matter movement has traction. But, the Nets point guard has not been alone with his approach.
However, his Brooklyn teammate, Garrett Temple, thinks players should want the season to resume. He believes it will help the movement, as do others. And while that’s been the main focus of those who oppose Irving, Matt Barnes has a different issue with Irving.
The retired NBA forward explained what he’s heard to Stephen Jackson on Instagram Live on Monday:
Kyrie needs to quit [expletive]. Because what I heard was Kyrie wanted to go to Orlando to support his team, they didn’t let him, so then he flipped the script on him talking about how ‘I’d give up everything.’ Bro, you can give up everything and go the Maya Moore [expletive] if you really want to. But at the same time, sitting out without a cause or a purpose defeats the purpose, and then it also divides us. They all gotta get on the same page, open up that communication and understand that the moment — and I understand that the top of the people understand it, but everybody else has to buy-in.
Stephen Jackson called out Stephen A. Smith for what he said about Kyrie Irving’s approach to the NBA resuming the 2019-20 season.
Stephen A. Smith has made it clear he does not agree with Kyrie Irving’s idea that the NBA should not resume the 2019-20 season while the Black Lives Matter movement has the attention of the entire country. On Friday, the ESPN personality stated on his show, First Take, that Irving and Dwight Howard have “been foolish as I am concerned.”
Smith made clear that talking about the matter isn’t going to resolve things alone. He explained how prominent figures like Irving bring attention to the issue, “then you hand it off to people that know what to do.”
Retired NBA forward Stephen Jackson didn’t agree with Smith’s comments. He feels Irving is in the right and called out the ESPN personality for what he said.
Smith responded to Jackson on social media, maintaining, “I disagree with Kyrie.”
I believe in this instance, even though Kyrie Irving is a knowledgable and good brother, in this instance, I don’t think he displayed his knowledge about this.
Smith also highlighted some of the necessary steps to direct the movement forward, while adding he hasn’t heard any of that from the Brooklyn Nets point guard:
I didn’t hear that from Kyrie. All Kyrie said was, ‘Systemic racism, I ain’t down for it. I ain’t playing.’ That’s not good enough. You gotta have a plan when you [are] planning on not showing up to work to do your job, and it can’t just be racial oppression vaguely. You got to be specific, bro. I stand by what I said. I meant every word I said.
Stephen Jackson and Kyrie Irving have been communicating every day since the retired NBA forward’s friend, George Floyd, died.
Stephen Jackson has been at the forefront of the Blacks Lives Matter movement since the death of his longtime friend George Floyd.
In the process, one of the people the retired NBA forward has been in constant contact with is Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving, which Jackson revealed on Instagram Live with his podcast co-host and fellow retired NBA forward Matt Barnes.
Jackson, like Irving, feels the NBA should not continue the 2019-20 season at Disney World in Orlando because he feels it will distract people from the movement that has been the focus of the nation amidst the novel coronavirus pandemic.
And with Irving receiving criticism for his approach, Jackson let everyone know how the Nets guard is doing everything to help the cause:
He’s passionate about this and by the conversation he had, I just think he understands this moment. You know what I’m saying? And he just like me. I don’t have all the answers, you know what I’m saying? And he’s speaking off heart, he’s speaking off passion because … I ain’t said this on no interviews bro. He done called me crying bro because he literally know that I’m putting in every single day.
Stephen Jackson says Kyrie Irving has been FaceTiming him almost everyday to check on him
“He called me crying, because he literally knows I’m putting everything on the line.” pic.twitter.com/vpX93qDqom
