Legendary Los Angeles Lakers head coach and NBA Hall of Famer, Phil Jackson, has come under fire for suggesting that the NBA has become too political for its own good. In a recent appearance on the Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin podcast, Jackson stated that he hasn't followed the league since early in the 'bubble' in 2020 when players were permitted to wear messages like "Justice" and "Black Lives Matter" on their jerseys.
Jackson's comments have drawn criticism from fans who argue that his presence at a Lakers game last year contradicts his statements about distancing himself from the sport. One fan pointed out that despite Jackson's concerns, there was an increase in revenue to over $10 billion last year.
During his time as a head coach, Phil Jackson led both the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers to multiple championships; six with the Bulls and five with the Lakers. He retired from coaching in 2016 but remains one of the most respected figures within professional basketball.
In response to those criticizing him for attending games while stating he no longer watches them due to politics entering sports scene, some supporters have defended him by stating it is possible to attend games without necessarily being invested in every aspect of today's NBA culture.
Some critics have referred back to past instances where athletes used their platform as an opportunity for activism – such as American Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising their fists during their medal ceremony at 1968 Mexico City Olympics – arguing against keeping politics completely separate from sports events.
However, others share Jackson's view regarding political involvement within professional basketball. They believe embracing slogans on baselines could alienate core fans seeking entertainment rather than political agendas during matches.
Laura Jenkins*, a longtime NBA fan commented: “I understand why they feel it’s necessary.. but sometimes I just want to watch basketball without everything else.”
Nonetheless, this debate surrounding the balance between sports and politics is not new, but it has certainly been heightened by recent events in both the NBA and society at large.
*name changed for privacy