Jay Williams tells NBA players to stop being so 'tone-deaf'
Since arriving in the NBA bubble near Orlando, some NBA players - certainly, not all - have shared their complaints about the food provided, as well as their accommodations.
Examples include Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid joking about losing weight in the bubble because of the food, and Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo posting a photo of his room with the caption: "Motel 6 hun @nba" and the middle finger emoji.
Setting aside the fact that the food players have received so far won't be the norm for their extended stay in the bubble, Paste BN Sports reported Thursday, they still shouldn't be complaining, ESPN broadcaster Jay Williams said.
In a video he tweeted Sunday, the former Duke star encouraged NBA players to not be so "tone-deaf" while living in a "billion-dollar bubble," as everyday people are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is ravaging parts of the U.S., including and especially Florida.
In his video, Williams said:
"NBA players cannot be tone-deaf. My NBA brothers, you cannot be tone-deaf right now in this current environment. We all know the life that NBA players live. You are blessed. You get a chance to be on private planes, you get a chance to have millions of dollars in your bank account, you live a different level of life. But that is drastically different than what real, everyday, working Americans are going through right now.
"Now, you're in a billion-dollar bubble. If you want to complain about the anxieties you have from COVID-related issues, I get it. Complain about that. We all have the right to complain about that. But when I hear NBA guys complaining about living facilities, food that they have being delivered to them, it is tone-deaf. It is tone-deaf."
Williams added that as the NBA is trying to finish its season - which, like that of nearly every other pro sport, was totally upended by the pandemic in March - teams' public relations departments should work with players to ensure the end of these tone-deaf complaints.
Later on Twitter, Williams also gave credit to Memphis Grizzlies rookie Ja Morant for his comments about the accommodations in the NBA bubble.
Via the Memphis Commercial Appeal in a story published Friday:
"My room is fine, my food is fine. I'm not a silver spoon guy so I know how to live in the conditions," Morant said Friday, "People complaining but I'm doing good."
He also brought his own stash of snacks as if to say it doesn't matter what they'll be served as the NBA prepares to restart its season. He'll be good keeping it simple.
"I'm a Ramen noodles guy so I'm used to this," Morant said.
Monday's Big Winner: Washington's football team
It appears imminent that we're getting a new nickname for the Washington football team, according to Paste BN Sports' Mike Jones. Sure, they had to be dragged kicking and screaming to do the right thing, but they got there. We'll keep an eye out for the new name, which could come as soon as this morning.
Quick Hits: MLS has coronavirus issues, Cole Custer, #FreeWoj
- An MLS game between DC United and Toronto FC was postponed moments before kickoff on Sunday due to a positive COVID-19 test. They're ... still going to try and play the game this morning.
- Rookie Cole Custer won a wild race at Kentucky Speedway.
- ESPN has reportedly suspended Adrian Wojnarowski over an email with an expletive to a U.S. Senator, and now #FreeWoj is a thing.