The NBA, Media Criticism, and the Fragile Ego of Today’s Players

NBA players today are increasingly vocal about how they’re covered by the media, with some expressing frustration over what they perceive as unfair scrutiny. Younger fans, however, seem to believe that past generations of players were treated more favorably by sports journalists. This misconception has led to a debate about whether the media is harsher now or if today’s stars simply struggle with criticism more than their predecessors.

LeBron James recently took issue with the way his son, Bronny James, was covered after an underwhelming performance in Philadelphia. The criticism wasn’t excessive—just standard analysis of a rookie’s game—but LeBron viewed it as an attack. The irony? LeBron himself has benefited from media-driven narratives that elevated Bronny’s status before he ever set foot on an NBA court. Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent, allegedly advised teams not to draft Bronny so he could land with the Lakers, and yet, any scrutiny of his play is seen as unacceptable. Bronny, who hasn’t yet proven himself, has the league’s top-selling rookie jersey, while players like Stephon Castle, a more highly touted prospect, receive far less attention. The imbalance is clear, but criticism is somehow off-limits.

The Myth of “Friendly” Past Coverage

Younger fans act as if past NBA players were protected from harsh media takes. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The Portland Trail Blazers of the early 2000s were labeled the “Jail Blazers” due to off-court issues. Allen Iverson, despite being one of the most electrifying players of his era, was consistently painted as a “thug” due to his tattoos and braids. Kobe Bryant was called a rapist by many in the media after his 2003 sexual assault case, despite never being convicted. The idea that media criticism is worse today ignores decades of history.

Stephen A. Smith, now one of the most prominent voices in sports media, is often vilified by younger fans for his strong takes. Some claim he was more respectful in the past, but that’s revisionist history. Smith has always been brash, opinionated, and, at times, ruthless in his assessments. His recent remarks about LeBron being a great father were twisted into an insult, demonstrating how overly sensitive today’s players (and their fans) can be.

The Lack of Respect for the Past

Another troubling trend among today’s NBA stars is their disregard for the legends who paved the way. Many modern players believe the “old heads” don’t respect them because they have different GOATs. In reality, the issue isn’t about GOAT debates; it’s about a lack of appreciation for those who laid the foundation. Players from the 70s, 80s, and 90s dealt with intense media criticism and had far fewer protections than today’s athletes. They earned their respect the hard way.

Older players respect the talent in today’s game but don’t feel obligated to crown modern stars as the best just because they’re currently playing. This generational divide fuels unnecessary hostility, with younger players feeling slighted by any critique from past greats.

The Social Media Factor

One major difference between past and present media coverage is the rise of social media. Players now see criticism instantly, and their fanbases amplify every perceived slight. In the past, players could ignore newspaper headlines or TV segments. Today, an offhand tweet or podcast comment can snowball into a full-blown controversy. The ability to control the narrative is something today’s players crave, but the reality is that public scrutiny comes with the territory of being a professional athlete.

The Need for Tougher Skin

If today’s NBA players want the glory, endorsements, and media attention that comes with being global icons, they need to accept the scrutiny that follows. LeBron calling out longtime supporter Brian Windhorst was unnecessary and sent the wrong message. Instead of trying to silence criticism, players should focus on their performance and let their players do the talking.

The NBA has always been covered aggressively, and history shows that past players endured just as much, if not more, harsh media coverage. The difference? They didn’t let it define them. Today’s stars would do well to learn from that resilience.

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