NBA fans aren’t very happy with Skip Bayless for his recent comments on Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler and his father. As some of us should be aware, Bayless is a senior and well-known member of the NBA media and is popularly known for being one of the hosts of a sports debate show called “Skip and Shannon: Undisputed”
One of the popular topics on the show has been the NBA playoffs, something that Skip has covered for many years. During a particular segment, Bayless said something in the passing that caught the attention of and triggered fans. Let us find out what he said and whether it was truly out of line.
Skip Bayless pointed out that Jimmy Butler’s dad was sick
Since Skip and Shannon cover the NBA Playoffs and Finals, they also inadvertently discuss the players involved amongst the contending teams. That would clearly mean that they have been giving Jimmy Butler a fair share of attention considering the level that he has been playing at this season.
While there is no harm in that alone, Bayless might have taken things too far when he revealed that Butler’s father was sick and that could potentially be a reason for Jimmy’s lack of recent impressive performances.
“We haven’t seen Playoff Jimmy [Butler] now for 7 straight games. He is going through an issue with his father who is not well… I think he might be a little distracted, if not a little drained, by going through that.”
—Skip Bayless
(via @undisputed)pic.twitter.com/3XHG0KCZK6
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 5, 2023
That was undoubtedly the wrong thing for Skip to do. Firstly, Jimmy’s play has nothing to do with the health status of his father. Secondly, disclosing someone’s medical condition without their consent is very approachable. Moreover, we have no proof that Skip is speaking the truth since he never disclosed a source to back up his claims.
In any case, fans are not having it with the veteran media spokesperson, “Skip is shameless lol” and “This man is a disservice to the sport” are some of the many negative critical comments on social media.
Why even put that out there
— Marathon Pace 🏁 (@marathonpace67) June 5, 2023
Skip is shameless lol
— himmy butler enthusiast (@PardonMyBonk) June 5, 2023
This man is a disservice to the sport
— Lvl 5 Laser Lotus (13-7) (@ArturArouck) June 5, 2023
Why Skip blasting info about stuff Jimmy hasn’t even said publicly if that’s even true
— Cutty Flam (@stanfanpan) June 5, 2023
Perhaps, the time has come for the media to realize that unnecessary and irrelevant information need not be revealed. Especially the kind that would violate someone’s personal space. One could argue that Skip just threw that out there in order to connect the dots behind Butler’s wavering play.
It is good to see that fans instantly noticed this and threw some shade Skip’s way. Hopefully, he does not resort to these kinds of statements again and sticks to the core matter of basketball. Claiming that somebody played badly because their father is ill or dog had died or their son was punished is stupid at many levels