Damian Lillard starred in another controversial moment on Thursday when an ESPN’s analyst took a shot at him for his recent comments claiming he wouldn’t play if the Blazers didn’t have real chances to get into the playoffs once the NBA resumes. Dan Orlovsky, a former NFL player, joined appeared on Thursday’s edition of ‘Get Up’ where he discussed Dame’s comments, attacking the All-Star point guard.
He reflected on Lillard’s comments, comparing basketball players to essential workers trying to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, somehow putting them at the same level of basketball players.
“There’s people out there that have to go do things,” Orlovsky said. “Front-line workers and nurses and doctors, they have to go to work, and they have to work more hours and get paid less because of what we’re dealing with. … How can you sit there and go, ‘nope, I’m not going to play,’ but understand that there’s people out there that don’t have that choice? They have to go to work. They have to go earn their money.
“I struggle with sitting here and going you don’t come off — in some way — a spoiled and entitled brat by saying ‘I’m not going to play.’”
Dame wasn’t having none of it and he replied to the comments, telling Orlovsky to watch his mouth since he didn’t know his reality or his background.
“Entitled and spoiled? Mf watch yo mouth. My background , family, and character couldn’t be further FROM entitled and spoiled. I said what I said!” Lillard wrote on Twitter.
Entitled and spoiled? Mf watch yo mouth. My background , family, and character couldn’t be further FROM entitled and spoiled. I said what I said! https://t.co/yM30aU5xl2
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) May 28, 2020
Orlowsky then would apologize for his words after Lillard directly confronted him. He changed the tone and sent another message to the point guard.
“No you’re right I was wrong to use that phrase at the end. That’s my bad. My comment started with saying I hope we all realize nothing is meaningless anymore. And if it’s about protecting loved ones-100%. I shouldn’t have said entitled or brat and that’s on me and my bad.”
No you’re right I was wrong to use that phrase at the end. That’s my bad. My comment started with saying I hope we all realize nothing is meaningless anymore. And if it’s about protecting loved ones-100%. I shouldn’t have said entitled or brat and that’s on me and my bad.
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) May 28, 2020
This guy wasn’t good in the NFL and it looks like his journey as an analyst won’t be that good, either. He went after a player with a great reputation, one of the most respected names in the game for a decision completely understandable. Why would you risk getting injured for nothing?
It’s not the same working to save lives, as essential workers on the front line against the coronavirus pandemic do than play a game. People need to understand that difference.
