The Worst Headline any player could ever have: “Waived due to Conduct Detrimental to the Team”
So I begin my second life as a media consultant for young athletes, teaching them how to position themselves and carry themselves in public, so as not to torpedo their careers with comments deemed insensitive, incendiary and quite frankly “foul”.
I’m not saying the Bulls (now “former”) guard Jaden Ivey is foul, but his recent comments presented in a way that society deems as foul. I never really got to see Jaden in action. As it were, he was sidelined anyway, due to a knee injury, having played only four games with the Bulls. He was a pick-up from the Pistons. But I always try to teach young athletes, how you perform and what you do “off the court” is as important as what you do “on the court”. The minute this announcement came out, guys were calling me and saying, “Larry, this kid Ivey is the POSTER BOY for what you’re trying to do in collegiate, NIL and pro sports–teaching media crisis aversion to these players. He’s the perfect client!
Well no he’s not! I’m not trying to be a “spin doctor”–and that’s probably what it’s going to take to get this kid’s career back on track– if that’s what he wants. I’ve been trying to reach out to these career athletes to provide PROACTIVE training, to keep them out of trouble. As a Christian (first) and a journalist (second), can you imagine the things I’ve witnessed with these eyes, yet had to go on television and radio to explain to millions of consumers, without bias or insensitivity? And those who know me also know that I have a frickin’ attitude about EVERYTHING. But I also know who I am, what I do for a living and how I need to conduct myself in a way that communicates my thoughts, without disrepecting others. This is part of what Jaden Ivey allegedly wrote (or said) on his social pages. which lead to instant backlash. My understanding is that the team felt like he was lashing out at the Bulls, because of their support for Pride Month.
“The world proclaims LGBTQ right? They proclaim Pride Month and the NBA does too…they say, “Come and join us for Pride Month to celebrate “unrighteousness”.
Dude! In this social climate we live in, words like “unrighteous” are more of a moral judgment against people (and Teams) who support LGBTQ, and not just their ideas. The way you framed your words made you sound like you were against the group, and not just expressing how you felt personally about it. It opened the door for criticism and..frankly…dismissal. Because the Bulls (nor any team in the NBA) is trying to deal with all that right now. It’s a distraction in the business of putting butts in expensive seats, selling out arenas, selling your merch and paying you and subsequently your agent a huge paycheck. Those jobs don’t come easy. You know what it took for you get here!
Your words left no room for coexistence. That was a train wreck bruh, just waiting to happen.
If it matters to you, I think what you “meant” to say was this:
“I understand and respect what Pride Month represents to many people. My personal beliefs are a bit different and rooted in my faith, and so I see things differently—but I also believe in respecting others and treating everyone fairly.”
Period. End of Story. I can guarantee you would have become the biggest hero in that locker room. Because guess what kid? You’re not the only Christian (I assume these comments came from your belief in the doctrine) who feel like this! It’s the packaging. We all come with amazing gifts of the spirit. Our charge is to make people better and to bridge understanding while using those gifts. But that had to be the ugliest gift wrap I’ve ever seen young king. Jaden, I don’t think anybody on the planet has a mouth bigger than mine, and a bigger opinion. And if an old school cat like me can navigate the storms of controversy and tolerance (and let me stress ESPECIALLY) in these times… surely a young cat like you who probably had a salary that could have lasted you a lifetime could have been more careful.
And so, I’m giving you the Flop of the Week young buck, because this didn’t have to happen. I can’t say it enough. You need to be Next…if you’re able to find a basketball home once this blows over..”if” it blows over.
-Next Tally
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