A league of grumps and a fanbase with issues of its own

Philadelphia 76ers’ James Harden argues a call with referee Brian Forte during Game 4 of second-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Sunday, May 8, 2022, in Philadelphia.

Matt Slocum, Associated Press

You know what I don’t get about James Bond? He’s got women throwing themselves at him, he’s got a license to kill, he’s got all these cool cars and gadgets … how ’bout a smile? — Jerry Seinfeld

You know what I don’t get about NBA players? They’ve got more money than the president (and a cooler job), they play a game for a living, they don’t have to sit in front of a computer screen eight hours a day (unless it’s to play video games), they have fame and fortune, people fawn all over them …

How ’bout a smile?

Instead, we get scowls and surliness; we get serial grumps. We get John Wall, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons and The King (of grumpy) LeBron James — perpetually angry, irascible, malcontented, thin-skinned. They’re grumpier than Kevin Costner on screen. They appear to have a permanent case of heartburn.

Who wants to watch that?

Remember those guys in the opening scene of “Les Miserables” (the musical version)? They were having more fun than NBA players. The Lakers play the game as if they are pulling a shift at the coal mine.

There are a few exceptions. Steph Curry plays the game with a certain joie de vivre, and the Phoenix Suns seem to be having fun. “It feels like a college team sometimes,” Deandre Ayton told ESPN, “but we get so much money for this.”

“We have a real team,” Jae Crowder said. “We have camaraderie. We play for one another. We’re all on the same page. I think that keeps us connected.”

Just for that, wouldn’t you like to see those guys win the championship?

But the Suns are the exception. Most NBA teams are about as fun as a colonoscopy.

Players can’t get along with one another. They’re surly toward fans and media. They pout their way out of perfectly legitimate (rich) contracts. They spend half of every game complaining about calls, always up in arms about something. They obsess over social media and strike back …read more

Source:: Deseret News – Sports News

(Visited 6 times, 1 visits today)

USA News Posts - Related Posts:

5x NBA Champ Magic Johnson Dishes on James Harden, “You Can’t” 76ers guard James Harden heard his teammate Joel Embiid tell the media after Harden’s virtual no-show in Game 6 that Harden is “not that guy anymore.” Not the guy that won scoring titles and an MVP and a dozen trips to the free throw line every game in Houston. But nobody needed Embiid, weary from a valiant effort after an orbital fracture and concussion, to explain that Harden wasn’t there — anybody with a TV could tell you that. And…
Kennedy softball stuns Granada Hills in dramatic City playoff victory Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now. GRANADA HILLS — Alyssa Senteno heard the bang of the bat and started running from second base. The sophomore’s eyes were fixed on her third base coach, who was waiving her home. “I was running for my life,” Senteno said. “There were two outs, so I knew I was going no matter what.” Two outs and the game tied at six in the seventh inning. Senteno slid…
Photos: Golden State Warriors defeat Memphis Grizzlies without coach Steve Kerr Warriors coach Steve Kerr tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals series against the Memphis Grizzlies. The news of Kerr entering the league’s health and safety protocols broke just two hours before tipoff Monday night. No one else on the Warriors’ roster or staff tested positive Monday. Assistant coach Mike Brown is serving as the acting head coach in place of Kerr. Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant will miss Game 4 with a…
Photos: Above the rim, a top down look at the Warriors’ dominate Game 3 win SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors responded to a terrible shooting performance in Game 2 with one of their best in Game 3 on Saturday night at Chase Center. An explosive third quarter, led by Stephen Curry, Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson, paved the way for the Warriors’ dominant 142-112 rout of the Grizzlies, which gave Golden State a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals series. After shooting a dismal 18.4% from 3-point range in Tuesday night’s loss, the Warriors…
Kings rout Oilers in Game 4, even first round series Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers skates the puck against Alex Iafallo #19 of the Los Angeles Kings in the second period of Game Four of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 08, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Warren Foegele #37 of the Edmonton Oilers skates the puck against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period of Game Four of the First Round of the…
Ex-Premier League referee disagrees with key north London derby decision Paul Tierney made several key decisions in Tottenham’s favour during their north London derby win over Arsenal (Picture: Getty)Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg believes Arsenal were right to feel aggrieved after Paul Tierney awarded Tottenham a controversial penalty during last night’s north London derby win. Spurs dominated a largely one-sided contest and ultimately coasted to a 3-0 win over their fiercest rivals, gaining three points which prevented the Gunners from wrapping up fourth place. Antonio Conte’s side, however, were…
Geri Horner’s chummy reunion with David Beckham at Miami Grand Prix after missing Brooklyn’s wedding Geri Horner has a ‘good catch up’ with David Beckham as they pose together with Christian Horner, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez (Picture: Mark Thompson/Getty Images)In a sweet photo moment, Geri Horner and David Beckham enjoyed a reunion at the Formula One Grand Prix in Miami over the weekend. The 47-year-old former footballer posed with Geri, 49, as well as her husband Christian Horner, Red Ball Racing Principal, as the three were joined by F1 drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio…
LAFC’s Franco Escobar scores tying goal against Union Kwadwo Opoku #22 of Los Angeles FC reacts with teammate Cristian Arango #9 of Los Angeles FC after scoring against the Philadelphia Union in the Second half of a Major League Soccer match at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 7, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC against the Philadelphia Union in the Second half of a Major League Soccer match at Banc of California Stadium in Los…
Gabby Petito’s mother files wrongful death lawsuit against Brian Laundrie’s estate The mother of Gabby Petito has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the estate of Brian Laundrie (Pictures: AP/YouTube)Nichole Schmidt, the mother of Gabby Petito, on Friday filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the curator of the estate of Brian Laundrie. The lawsuit states that Schmidt and Gabby’s father, Joseph Petito, ‘incurred funeral and burial expenses, and they have suffered a loss of care and comfort, and suffered a loss of probable future companionship, society and comfort’ after Brian intentionally…
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale blames referee for Tottenham debacle Aaron Ramsdale feels Arsenal were hard done by at Tottenham (Picture: Getty Images)Aaron Ramsdale has pointed the finger at referee Paul Tierney for Arsenal’s 3-0 mauling at the hands of Tottenham in Thursday night’s north London derby. The Gunners were feeling sorry for themselves after the humbling defeat, bemoaning a penalty decision given against them and Rob Holding being shown two yellow cards in the first half. While the penalty given against Cedric Soares for a shove on Son Heung-Min…