It’s not the first time that an NBA player has publicly demonstrated his denialist character, but it is the first time he has done so with such absurd examples that have provoked a feeling of incredulity, stupefaction and almost hilarity throughout American sport for his comments, more typical of an illiterate or a madman than of an educated person.
Kyrie Irving once made headlines by becoming the spokesman for the anti-vaccine movement, listening to conspiracy theories that led him to miss dozens of games with the Nets, his team at the time, as well as a good part of his salary, which some sources put at around $16 million, half of his salary. All this before declaring himself a self-confessed flat-earther. Yes, for him the earth is flat.
It seemed impossible that any elite athlete could surpass that string of ravings, but it has not been. Another NBA player, Tyler Herro, the 25-year-old Miami Heat shooting guard, has come to the forefront of the news by unashamedly confessing that he does not believe in historical events prior to 1950, such as the discovery of America in 1492, nor in many events that took place afterwards, such as the moon landing in 1969 or Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100 points in 1962. This coming from a guy who supposedly studied at the University of Wisconsin and Kentucky is totally bizarre.
The 40-year-old all-time great and 4-time NBA champion briefly discussed the basketball world’s obsession with “ring culture,” and why it shouldn’t be the end-all-be-all when it comes to respecting the greatness of a certain athlete.
During a recent appearance on his Mind the Game podcast, James talked all things “ring culture” and its impact on how fans and media members alike view the legacies of some of the most accomplished talents in sports history.
After the fact, FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd responded to James’ statement in a fiery rant, claiming that it was filled to the brim with contradictions that could be supported by his four-year tenure with the Heat.
