Bob Myers flops on first ESPN question about Warriors, Klay extension

In his new role as an ESPN analyst, Bob Myers will have the opportunity to discuss current and former players from the Golden State Warriors. After leaving the Warriors, Myers quickly landed a job with ESPN as an NBA analyst. ESPN hopes that Myers can provide viewers with a fresh perspective on the modern NBA. However, during his first appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown,” Myers was asked about his old team and didn’t provide much insight.

ESPN did a segment on the Warriors’ ongoing contract extension talks with impending free agent Klay Thompson. ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that there has been “no progress at all” in the negotiations and the team and player are far apart on the terms of the contract. Host Malika Andrews then turned to Myers, asking him about the path forward for Thompson and the Warriors. Myers responded by saying, “Well, this is why I left, first of all,” before elaborating on his answer.

Myers expressed that the situation is more than just about money and years. He emphasized Thompson’s importance to the team, highlighting his contributions to the four championships the Warriors have won. Myers acknowledged the difficulty of the negotiation process and the rarity of a core group of players staying together for 12 years. He mentioned that from his perspective, Thompson wants to stay with the team and the team wants him to stay. However, he also recognized that it might not happen and characterized it as the first real test for the team.

Myers delivered this answer with humility and a personal touch, which was appreciated by the Golden State community. However, the actual path forward for Thompson and the Warriors was not addressed directly. When asked about discussing his former team, Myers admitted that it is challenging for him because he wants them to succeed. He finds it difficult to have a ruthless opinion about the team and the people he used to work with.

When asked about how critical he’s willing to be in his new role, Myers explained that he believes it’s possible to be critical and honest while also being empathetic. He emphasized the importance of respecting the individual while criticizing their performance in the game. Myers expressed his willingness to criticize someone if he believed it was deserved but also emphasized the need to respect their effort.

Myers has had experience negotiating difficult contracts as the Warriors’ GM and as an agent before that. Other general managers, like the 49ers’ John Lynch, have sought out his unique perspective. Myers believes that his experiences with the Warriors, including handling expectations and controversy, could provide interesting insights for viewers.

Television is a challenging medium, with limited time for discussion and constant input from producers. It’s possible that Myers was still adjusting to the format during his first appearance. However, if he wants to excel as an analyst, he will need to be willing to share more of his insights on camera.

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