Tag: player empowerment

A chance to see player empowerment at its best

When player empowerment comes to mind, the thought probably goes to how players make power plays to get what they want. Some hold out to get more money, while others use leverage to get themselves traded from what they see as a toxic situation. While I would never fault anyone for doing what they feel is right to maximize profits, the logic behind it can be more than questioned at times. In the world of sports, situations can happen fast, to the point there’s nothing players can do about it. It’s at those moments where player empowerment takes on a whole new meeting, and we have a real life case study to see how it materializes.

The case study mentioned is the Las Vegas Raiders, who just saw their world turn upside down in a matter of days. The Raiders had to part ways with Jon Gruden, who was in the fourth of a 10-year contract (worth $100 million) as the team’s head coach. Gruden was exposed as, well, a garbage human being, in an email pattern spanning 12 years, according to The New York Times. In the emails, Gruden used racist, anti-gay and misogynistic language, and the messages themselves were uncovered as part of an NFL investigation into workplace misconduct within the Washington Football Team. The bulk of these emails were between 2011 and 2018, and a frequent member in these conversations was Bruce Allen, who was the general manager of the WFT during that time (Gruden was an analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Football in that same span). Gruden and Allen held the coach and GM positions, respectively, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers until 2008, when they were both fired after a bad season. The first report about the emails was Oct. 8. More were leaked out on the 11th, with the latter leaving no choice but for Gruden to resign.

For the Raiders players, this became a situation where many emotions have to be managed in a short amount of time. Yes, the argument can be made bringing the team together rests on the shoulders of owner Mark Davis, or maybe on GM Mike Mayock. It can be even be said special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, who was named interim head coach in the midst of the fallout, should be the one to rally the troops. In a perfect world, the powers that be could handle that task. The problem that may arise is with creditability, because the players might not trust the people who hired and worked with Gruden. Another unique aspect of this situation is defensive end Carl Nassib, the league’s first openly gay player, also plays for Las Vegas. All of this, combined with the feelings that could come as a result from hearing their former head coach is everything that’s wrong with humanity these days, and the potential for things to implode is as real as it gets.

No one knows what else can drop from this investigation, but for the Raiders players, the saving grace is there is still a lot to play for. Guys like quarterback Derek Carr and Nassib might be able to provide the leadership needed to get through something like this, and there will be plenty of opportunities to show how connected they are. Las Vegas was already 3-2 before Gruden left the team, and judging off of their performance against the Denver Broncos on the road Sunday, they intend to make the future even brighter in a time that’s seen as dark for the silver and black. With the Philadelphia Eagles coming to Allegiant Stadium next weekend, it’s reasonable to think the Raiders will be 5-2 with everything in front of them.

So yes, player empowerment is normally reserved for players who want to force issues upon a team, but when a group has a chance to come together at a time where trust in the front office might vary depending on the person, that’s when the term should see more usage. It’s always said sports is the ultimate unifier for divided times, and for Las Vegas, playing a sport they put so much into can help them get through this difficult period. Gruden’s words were hurtful and maddening, but now, an opportunity to grow and learn arises. If the Raiders can go on to win an AFC West division crown, we would have an example of player empowerment at its best, and that’s something we can all get behind.

Harden trade outlines bigger problem in the NBA

Last Wednesday, the NBA world was shaken up by a blockbuster trade that saw guard and former league MVP James Harden get moved from the Houston Rockets to the Brooklyn Nets. The trade, which also involved the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers, was a move that was expected from those who follow the league, but the circumstances that led up to this is what the narrative should be. Whether or not Harden forming a “superteam” with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will bring title a title or two to Brooklyn has and will be analyzed until results come in (I have this being an epic train wreck for the record). The issue is how seemingly easily players can force a trade by being unprofessional and, for the lack of a better word, a spoiled brat. Such is the case for Harden, but sadly, his case is just the latest in what has become a problem in this age of player empowerment.

It’s not uncommon for someone to be unhappy at a workplace, but these issues can be handled professionally, and Harden was anything but. First, he shows up to training camp out of shape (apparently after spending a good amount of time in strip clubs), then he’s reportedly getting into it with teammates during practice. Top all of that off with having a press conference after a game the Rockets lost to the Los Angeles Lakers saying this situation can’t be fixed, due to the team not being good enough (in Harden’s eyes), and the situation becomes officially toxic. Rockets players, such as John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, came to the team’s defense and reported confronted Harden about his attitude. All of this led to the trade to the Nets, which is what the disgruntled star wanted all along.

Another situation that involves pouting and being a malcontent involved Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis. When Davis was with the New Orleans Pelicans, he signed a long-term deal to stay there. Then came the day when Rich Paul, who is the agent for fellow Lakers forward LeBron James, became Davis’ agent. When that happened, it’s probably not a coincidence a trade request came right after. Of course, things between Davis and the Pelicans became super awkward, as the team was going back and forth between sitting him out and minutes restrictions. After the 2018-19 was over, Davis would eventually get what he wanted and end up in L.A. Part of the reason that happened also was James, in essence, passive-aggressively called out some of the teammates he was playing with before the trade. In other words, both of Paul’s clients were willing to burn things down to get what they wanted, which at it’s core seems pretty selfish.

Finally, lets visit the case of Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George. Going into the 2018-19 season, George signed a deal to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder. After the season was completed, Kawhi Leonard, fresh off of leading the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA title, entered free agency and said he would come to the Clippers if, among other things, the team was able to get George to come there in a trade. All of a sudden, here come the trade demand to get out of OKC. The difference between how the Thunder handled this and how the Rockets and Pelicans handled their respective situations was OKC management didn’t give this a chance to manifest and become a trash situation. They granted George’s request, got some players and draft picks in return, and moved on. No matter what, most people just want clear pictures of what’s currently happening. It appears the Thunder were aware of this, and for the goodness of their environment, they didn’t want to have any toxicity leak in from a potentially unhappy player.

All of the scenarios mentioned above had two things in common. The first is Harden, Davis and George all were in substantial deals, and the second is they ultimately got what they wanted by being whiners. The latter is what sets a bad precedent and points to the bigger problem in the NBA and sports in general. I’m all about players having the ability to look out for themselves and their futures, but to demand trades with multiple years left in contracts (in the cases of Harden and George) seems disingenuous. If all a player has to do is act like a spoiled brat to get their way when things aren’t going well, then we’re in more trouble than I originally thought. I just hope at some point, these players can start being adults about their business, but something tells me not to hold my breath.