NBA Media Day is almost here, but before we get there, we’re looking back at some of the most dramatic and controversial press conference moments of the past 25 years.
More often than not, press conferences with NBA stars are routine. The media training players receive means controversial comments are rare. When it happens, though, it can be explosive.
When players speak out, they usually make it count.
We’ve ranked our four favorites, starting with a press appearance that ended an eight-year run in Houston inside 48 hours.
From a forced trade to the day the NBA stopped
4. James Harden – January 12, 2021, Houston Rockets
Harden had spent months saying nothing about his trade request. That ended after a 117-100 home loss to the Lakers, Houston’s second blowout defeat by the champions in three days.
Speaking on a postgame Zoom call, Harden said the Rockets were not good enough on chemistry or talent, told reporters he loved the city and had done everything he could, then added: “This situation is crazy. It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed.”
He took two questions and walked off. Within 48 hours he was a Brooklyn Net, eight years in Houston concluded just like that.
3. LeBron James – June 12, 2011, Miami Heat
The first season of the Big Three ended with Dallas closing out Game 6 in Miami, and James averaging 17.8 points in the series after 26.7 in the regular season.
Asked whether it bothered him that so many people wanted him to fail, James said it did not. Everyone rooting against him would wake up the next morning to the same life they had before. He added: “They have the same personal problems they had today.”
It landed as a man who had just gone missing in a Finals telling fans their lives were worse than his. James clarified the comments two days later. Despite that, the villain label stuck until he won the title 12 months later.
2. Rudy Gobert – March 9, 2020, Utah Jazz
Nothing Gobert said caused the problem. It was what he did on his way out.
The NBA had just closed locker rooms to reporters, so Utah moved its shootaround availability into a media room. Gobert took questions about the virus, stood up, leaned across the table and deliberately touched every microphone and recorder in front of him.
Two days later in Oklahoma City, his positive test came back minutes before tip-off. The game was called off and the NBA suspended the season that night. The footage was everywhere by morning.
Gobert apologized on Instagram and said he had been careless.
1. Allen Iverson – May 7, 2002, Philadelphia 76ers
Iverson had won MVP and carried Philadelphia to the Finals in 2001. A year later, the Sixers went 43-39, then lost the first round to Boston. He and Larry Brown had argued about missed practices all season. Trade rumors were everywhere.
During an end-of-season media appearance, Iverson committed to staying. Someone then asked whether Brown had made too much of the practice issue.
Iverson said the word more than 20 times in a couple of minutes: “We talking about practice. Not a game.”
Iverson won four scoring titles, made 11 All-Star teams and went into the Hall of Fame, and the rant is still the first thing many people bring up when discussing his career. He has said being defined by it frustrates him.
Iverson also about his daughter, and about the best friend he lost during that season. Those bits didn’t make the headlines.
NBA Media days begin next week, with training camps opening September 29th. Most of it will be routine, but we may yet see another iconic press conference that could break into this list.
Kawhi, anyone?
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