Rob Parker: “A lot has changed. Back in the day you had to wait for a columnist to write an article in a newspaper to hear criticism and have it be published for everyone to read. Now, you can go on Twitter, or turn on a podcast or the internet in general immediately after it happens and hear any criticism all of the time. But I think Kevin Durant is short-sighted if he thinks what’s said about him is only in a negative, because there’s been a positive push as well. Players have access to go on the shows and put their own content out. So, it’s not just the handful of analysts that are doing it. Those of the shows people watch because it’s ‘home cooking,’ and that’s what KD wants and loves. Every player has benefited from the exposure on these shows.”
Chris Broussard: “The players and media need each other. If the media doesn’t promote the game, hype the players and give them attention, the players, no matter how good they are, are just a bunch of players running around playing a game. The media puts the game on television, and turns them into celebrities. I will say this, because I think this is what Durant was alluding to when he said media has changed the game for the worst: players are much more scrutinized nowadays than they were in the past. If KD goes 7-28 and misses a game winning shot on a Tuesday game in Utah, he’s going to get cooked the next day on these shows. Magic, Bird, and Dr. J didn’t have to worry about that happening.”
The Odd Couple’s Chris Broussard and Rob Parker discuss Kevin Durant criticizing the media, and saying that they have changed the game for the worst. Chris and Rob don’t think this is true, because the media and sports need each other to exist, however are understanding of how he might be right on some level. What do you think of Durant’s comments? Has sports media ruined sports?