Former Golden State Warriors guard Tim Hardaway believes current NBA players should not host their own podcasts or livestreams while they are still on the court. Speaking on the “Awful Announcing” program, the Hall of Fame nominee argued that in-season shows such as those produced by LeBron James, Draymond Green and others blur professional lines and would not have been tolerated in the league’s past.
“I’ve never agreed with somebody on a team running a podcast during the year,” Hardaway said, calling the practice “disrespectful” to opponents. He contrasted Commissioner Adam Silver’s permissive stance with the late David Stern’s approach, saying Stern would have flatly rejected the idea and fined any player who publicly discussed another franchise’s business.
Hardaway’s comments surfaced after guard Jaylen Brown, traded from the Boston Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this month, spent several days livestreaming his thoughts about the trade and league matters. Fox Sports radio host Colin Cowherd criticized Brown’s online sessions, warning that unscripted livestreams can lead to trouble. Brown countered that audiences “crave authenticity” and are tired of polished public-relations messaging.
The debate has widened to include other player-run shows, notably those of Paul George and Draymond Green. Hardaway maintained that media appearances should focus solely on a player’s own club and the team faced that night, echoing rules he said Stern enforced during the 1990s.
Tim Hardaway Jr., the elder Hardaway’s son, recently signed with the Miami Heat.
Source: Hoops Wire
