03-12-2021, 09:33 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-12-2021, 01:01 PM by HanspardShowerVoice.)
Listening to Jackie MacMullan on the Bill Simmons podcast, who is in contact with players on an everyday basis, and she's detailing how mentally beaten down and exhausted NBA players around the league are feeling during the last year regarding dealing with COVID. Not given an offseason because the TV Broadcasters put their footdown and forced them to come back, when even Adam Silver and the NBA Brass knew the players needed more time off. How isolated they feel not being able to have contact with their parents or extended friends and family and risk contamination (probably doubly so for international players). It really makes me think how much we're trying to read so much into some supposed KP/Luka beef, or how much KP wants out of Dallas, when KP might just be exhausted/frustrated/demoralized with the extraordinary circumstances of the last year in general. Everyone is having to deal with it, but not everyone is going to handle it the same way. Evidently someone like Kyrie has to take a mental health break in the middle of the season. I do think KP might be on the moody side, but that's life. Maybe KP is a griper or maybe KP doesn't have a sunny disposition about everything (not exactly a stereotype that the former Eastern Bloc is known for) .. that's just the variance of human beings. That doesn't mean he's some irredeemable headcase and lockerroom cancer. I don't see KP being outright insubordinate like Rondo was. And if Luka is going to be the face of the franchise for the next decade, he's going to have to deal with finding a way to lead a wide variety of personalities. Just like Dirk had to grow up from being Nashie's little drinking buddy to being a leader of complicated, strong willed men like Shawn Marion, Jason Terry and Jason Kidd. Not everyone in the lockerroom is going to be Dwight Powell.