ESPN’s Richard Jefferson Blasts Dillon Brooks and Ja Morant for Snubbing the Media After Losses

Also in Traina Thoughts: Gus Johnson underwhelms; Fernando Tatis Jr. has great reaction to taunting, Erin/Aaron controversy and more.

1. Since Dillon Brooks thought it was a good idea to say that he doesn’t worry about LeBron James and that LeBron James was old, the Lakers have won two straight games against the Grizzlies to take a 3–1 series lead.

Brooks was awful in both of those losses, scoring a total of 18 points in those two games on 7-of-24 shooting.

Meanwhile, the 38-year-old James had 25 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in one of those games and 22 points, 20 rebounds and 7 assists in the other.

As if Brooks didn’t embarrass himself enough, he refused to speak to the media after both Memphis losses. Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant also skipped out on his postgame media session after Game 4, however, he hasn’t been taunting one of the best players in the history of the NBA.

Now, I actually have no problem with a player blowing off the media after a bad game. I understand not wanting to talk when you’re down immediately after a tough defeat. However, you can’t do it twice. That’s just weak.

And in the words of recent SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast guest Richard Jefferson, “cowardice.”

You rarely see former players take current players to task in the way that Jefferson did on Tuesday’s edition of ESPN’s NBA Today when he spoke about Brooks and Morant.

“You can’t talk the talk and then not walk the walk,” said Jefferson.

The 17-year NBA veteran added, “When you win, everybody wants to talk when they win. They are sprinting to the podium. Everybody’s up there.”

Jefferson continued, “If you’re not gonna talk to the media after two straight games, that to me is cowardice, and I don’t believe either of them are cowards. I’m not saying that. I’m saying to avoid that smoke after talking the talk, you can’t avoid the media. That’s something to me I can’t get on board with.”

2. I don’t like having to say this and I’m not proud for what I’m about to write. I love Gus Johnson and my expectations for him are probably too high because I was just a bit underwhelmed by his call of Trae Young’s unreal three-pointer that gave the Hawks a shocking comeback win against the Celtics last night.

TRAE YOUNG FROM THE LOGO. HAWKS TAKE LEAD 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/04t1qhiImy

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 26, 2023

Don't get me wrong. That's a great call. But Gus Johnson was the guy who gave us this. I needed some of that energy last night.

3. Cubs fans at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night serenaded Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr., with chants of “you’re on steroids.” Tatis responded by dancing along and then waving to the crowd. Tremendous.

Do your dance @tatis_jr 🕺@Padres | #BringTheGold pic.twitter.com/tLUQMM7rOx

— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) April 26, 2023

4. Eagles star center Jason Kelce dropped one of the most ridiculous poll questions I've ever seen. Even more ridiculous is that nearly 50% of the people responding actually think Aaron and Erin are pronounced the same way. This is bonkers!

5. I bet on everything, but I don’t bet on the NFL draft. This is one of the reasons why: Wild rumors from anyone swing the odds in a big way.

6. The latest episode of SI Media With Jimmy Traina features an interview with author, reporter and podcast host Jim Miller about several big stories in the sports media world.

Miller shares his insight into what he thinks will happen with the NBA’s future rights deals regarding TNT, ESPN, NBA, Apple and Amazon. Could the NBA leave Turner and what would that mean for Charles Barkley, who would become the biggest free agent in sports media history.

Miller also shares his thoughts on the upcoming layoffs at ESPN, YouTube’s pricing for NFL Sunday Ticket, the WWE’s upcoming TV deals and a surprise player that could be involved. Miller also weighs in on this season of Succession and gives us an update on the upcoming season of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Following Miller, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. Topics covered include the Draymond Green suspension, betting stories, Aaron Rodgers, AirPods and more.

You can listen to the podcast below or download it on Apple, Spotify and Google.

You can also watch SI Media With Jimmy Traina on YouTube.

7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: Rainn Wilson gave the behind-the-scenes story of what happened when he recently sat next to a guy who was watching The Office on a flight yet had no clue Dwight Schrute was his seatmate.

Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out SI Media With Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.