Agent Rich Paul further pushes lazy talking point that the media favors Jokic over LeBron

As the media continues to favor Nikola Jokic as the Nuggets’ first-round playoff exit, Rich Paul argues the criticism isn’t harsh enough.

Paul says the press is underestimating this JokicUnlike how he treats his best customer, LeBron James.

“The reason you don’t hear a lot of talk about Jokic is because I believe people are not happy that Jokic lost,” Paul said. podcast With Max Kellerman. “When LeBron loses, people are happy to see him lose. Especially his peers. Players who are playing in the league today and have platforms for different reasons, that’s something extra. They’re happy to see him lose.”

What?

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Jokic happened Like Josh Allen those talking heads created a narrative that he was one of the most protected athletes. This claim is not valid. In fact, the opposite is true.

Paul says no one is rooting for Jokic to fail. Might want to check out former ESPN broadcaster Mark Jones. Blue sky pageThe clown spent nearly a week celebrating and mocking Jokic’s shortcomings.

RACE CATCHERS IN THE SPORTS MEDIA ARE ALREADY TAKING THEIR CRITICISM OF NIKOLA JOKIC TOO FAR.

Former players Kendrick Perkins and Gilbert Arenas also made it clear that they actively support Jokic. perkins, especiallyHe spent multiple ESPN segments last Friday boasting about Jokic’s tackles.

As Paul noted, the idea that Jokic is favored is dishonest. Much of the sports media dislikes him because he is a white European player. Just look at the tone of voice Andscape articles about him.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James hits the ball from Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA first-round playoff series in Los Angeles on April 27, 2024. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

The comparison to LeBron James also lacks context. Paul isn’t the only one who does this. Dan Patrick and Paul Pierce made similar comparisons last week.

“If this was LeBron, the three-time MVP and one-time NBA champion, we would have bowed out like the Joker, we would have crushed LeBron,” Patrick said. in question Friday.

“We’re not going to sugarcoat it. Because if LeBron was losing like that at the peak of his powers, we would have said so,” Pierce defended. “Let this LeBron be at the peak of his powers. What would we say? If you’re the best player in the league, you shouldn’t lose in the first round.”

Not really.

Lakers forward LeBron James takes a shot over Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the first half of Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals in Los Angeles on May 20, 2023. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

Here’s the difference: LeBron James is the most controversial athlete in American sports of the last two decades. Shows like “First Take” cover him nearly every day during the NBA season. This level of attention brings increased scrutiny, but also a level of praise Jokic has never received.

While James has received more criticism than Jokic, he has also been much more praised.

James is considered one of the two greatest players in NBA history, along with Michael Jordan. He is a global figure who needs attention. Jokic is an all-time great player, but he keeps a low profile and makes little noise off the court.

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LeBron and Jokic comparisons are not valid. Historically, they are in different classes as superstars on and off the field.

Find a new talking point. This is lazy.