Skip Bayless WILD ‘White NBA Centers’ take left ESPN head honchos upset

At ESPN, Skip Bayless once built a stereotype of how he saw 'white NBA center's' in the league, something that Chet Holmgren has broken.

Skip Bayless WILD ‘White NBA Centers’ take left ESPN head honchos upset

Skip Bayless once clashed with ESPN bosses over his criticism of 'white NBA centers'

In almost three decades, Skip Bayless has made a name as an analyst who does not stop at saying what he feels. That has made him one of the best debaters in all of sports broadcasting. His views have left many divided as some feel he went over the top, while others feel he talks sense. While covering the NBA, Bayless recalled a situation which left his bosses at ESPN unhappy.

The 72-year-old was speaking on The Skip Bayless Show about the emergence of Chet Holmgren. While explaining what he loves about the Oklahoma City Thunder star, he mentioned that the center is breaking a mold which earlier characterized a certain stereotype.

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That stereotype was about unskilled ‘White’ centers in the NBA. During his time covering the league, he has witnessed far too many examples of white centers who could not hold a candle to their African American counterparts. This led Skip Bayless to reveal one particular story from his time on ESPN.

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I thought about taking American white centers in the Lottery, which was don’t, just don’t. But, of course, my mere mention of ‘white’ on TV sent the bloggers into tizzy fits. ‘You can’t say that on TV.’ Was I being racist? Was I being reverse racist? How about I was being right? How about I was just being honest? But, of course, I got a call from ESPN PR. The PR woman was very upset with me.

Skip Bayless on the situation with ESPN

Bayless clarified that ‘White’ European centers are the polar opposite of ‘White’ American NBA centers, as they have skill and a drive that surpasses any negatives on athleticism. Other than the likes of Bill Walton, he is yet to see an American white NBA center who can dominate.

Skip Bayless feels differently about Chet Holmgren

However, one ‘White NBA center’ has given Skip Bayless a chance at changing his opinion. The way he plays the game of basketball, Holmgren is anything but how usual NBA center. The analyst has been following the star’s growth and said this on the same episode:

Chet Holmgren is shattering the mold of the white stiff.

Skip Bayless on Chet Holmgren

Skip Bayless explained why the 22-year-old is different. For starters, he moves differently than other centers, as they are ‘generally stiff and unathletic’. But Holmgren moves the way African American NBA stars do, and in the process, has been touted as Victor Wembanyama‘s biggest rival.

His play on the court also shows that he has a hunger inside him which his peers never showed. His 19.2 points, 9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 3.8 blocks per game this year are way better than his rookie season. With age, he will gain experience along with growing strength. A combination of all that along with his skills on the ball has made Skip Bayless happy.