DeMarcus Cousins Slams ‘Hot Take’ Analysts After NBA Title ‘Participation Trophy’ Controversy: “If It Was easy, We’d Have 1000 Michael Jordans”

DeMarcus Cousins and other former players have become increasingly disgruntled with the 'hot takes' from analysts without playing experience.

DeMarcus Cousins Slams ‘Hot Take’ Analysts After NBA Title ‘Participation Trophy’ Controversy: “If It Was easy, We’d Have 1000 Michael Jordans”

DeMarcus Cousins and ESPN's Vincent Goodwill (Image via FirstSportz)

Ever since the New York Knicks won the 2026 NBA Championship, a variety of opinions have been forming. Former players such as DeMarcus Cousins are also in the discussion rooms, but it seems analysts without playing experience are the ones making all the noise.

To start off, even before the Knicks played Game 1 of the NBA Finals, many had written them off. They claimed that Victor Wembanyama was the second coming of Michael Jordan, and his Spurs just defeated the defending champions.

Even when the Knicks won the first two games, analysts started to write them off the moment the Spurs came back into contention in Game 3.

Now that the East champions eventually prevailed, another analyst stoked controversy when he claimed that the NBA championship has become a ‘participation trophy.’

He pointed out that dynasties build legacies. Eight different winners in eight different years have made the NBA title not as important as it used to be. This did not sit well with DeMarcus Cousins.

It’s usually the guys that have never played a sport at a high level that have these outrageous takes… Stop watering down the sport… If it was as easy as you try to make it seem, we’d have 1,000 Michael Jordans. Which we don’t. We have one Michael, one LeBron, one Kobe. Put respect on the sport.

DeMarcus Cousins said

His Run It Back colleagues agreed, as they have all played the game. DeMarcus Cousins made it clear that no former player will ever say anything along the lines of what Vincent Goodwill said. That is because these analysts want to be seen and heard, and they do that with their ‘hot takes.’

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DeMarcus Cousins slams analyst for bizarre Jalen Brunson-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander take

The crew of Run It Back was not done criticizing analysts and their opinions. Next, Cousins was asked about Max Kellerman‘s take on Jalen Brunson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

It’s recency bias… You’re talking about a two-time MVP. Nothing in this statement makes sense. Jalen’s getting the flowers he absolutely deserves, but it just doesn’t make sense. But to sit there and compare just doesn’t make sense.

DeMarcus Cousins said

As soon as the former Sacramento Kings star said this, his colleague, Chandler Parsons, pointed out that this was another ‘hot take’ from someone who did not play the game.

Kellerman has had his bizarre opinions in the past, but Cousins and his fellow former players on this show felt that it is now getting to the point where anyone is saying anything just to be valid.

At this point, Lou Williams added that if this continues, former players with experience at the highest level should start speaking out and criticizing these non-player analysts. Only then does the three-time Sixth Man of the Year believe that a balance comes to the fore.

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Former players are quietly replacing ‘Hot Take’ analysts

The problem with what DeMarcus Cousins and his fellow former players are pointing out is that such ‘hot takes’ draw viewers and ratings, as many want to know what other bizarre comments come out of their mouths.

First Take was once made up of non-players
First Take was once made up of non-players (Image via Hoops Fanatic/X)

That is why the likes of ESPN, other networks, and primarily podcasts hire people who can say the most bizarre things. The latter group has given fans some outrageous takes. In most instances, it has given them a boost in ratings.

LeBron James has slammed the ‘hot take’ media before, but corporations will not listen to him or any other player unless ratings prove otherwise. But slowly and steadily, things are changing.

NBC and Amazon Prime Video decided it was better for former players to lead their broadcast and analytics shows. Fans have James to thank for the latter.

They also have technical sections that have made it interesting for fans. It is possible that once this trend continues, others will have to follow and bring in people who know the sport well, rather than those looking for a ‘hot take.’

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