By: Michael Tolliver Jr (Opinionated MJ)

Dear NBA Media, this is for you.

We know that Steph Curry is the greatest shooter ever. We know that KD is one of the best scorers ever. We know that LeBron James is in the goat conversation in the minds of many. Why dont we know anything about the other stars around the league? Maybe I’m overexaggerating. We hear about Kawhi, Jokic, Embiid a bit, Harden, Kyrie… I just dont hear enough about the other good players in the league to my liking.

We know about the Boston duo of Tatum & Brown. I haven’t seen any articles or Twitter posts or polls about Tatum. I haven’t heard anyone trying to insert Brown into the MVP conversation. He’s consistently ascended every year and has yet to really be given his proper due. Currently, I have Joel Embiid as my front-runner for MVP. He’s been slighted if you ask me. Still sitting behind LeBron because of year whatever and add in the playoff games, it’s however many more season. He’s been labeled as the second best center behind Jokic since the Joker passes more. They both are on the same level if you ask me. I’ll ignore standings since it isn’t game 65 and say that Embiid and Jokic are my top 2 for MVP regardless of record. If you remove both from their teams roster, which team is more likely to succeed in the playoffs? Neither.

I haven’t heard anything about what Jerami Grant has been doing for the Pistons. Team losing more than winning so his output doesn’t matter to you? Detroit has been very competitive. That’s step 1. I haven’t heard about the fact that my dark horse Orlando Magic, year in and year out, still make the playoffs. The Key? Nikola Vucevic. NOBODY talks about him at all. Only Aaron Gordon. He’s cool too. The team just can’t stay healthy. While I’m speaking about the Magic, I seen more articles about Markelle Fultz being injured than I seen about him actually ascending. Overcoming his jumpshot woes or whatever the media made me adopt within my perception. I always remained a fan. Get well soon.

I haven’t heard much about Donovan Mitchell until Shaq made it his business to try to rile him up to turn into Kobe. Everybody reacted in a soft manner. Nobody is built for the harsh criticism that makes you breakthrough. The things that give you even more to play for. Everybody are “yes men”. I was raised different and I loved every second of it. I expect a supernova now. Ja Morant, Jamal Murray, Jimmy Butler. I’m all over the place. Media was all over them in the bubble. Now it’s back to the usual? Mainstream media seems to only bash the players when they don’t live up to “their” expectations. See Pascal Siakam. See Shai Gilgeous Alexander. Even Zion Williamson. Fans turned on him cause they thought the NBA was trying to force him into the bubble. Cue my favorite line, “YOU STILL GOTTA PLAY!”

I won’t mention Dame since you finally all give him his respect. It was well overdue. I guess Giannis isn’t an MVP candidate anymore because he won 2 in a row. He’s got to win a title before you give him another? Sure. Based upon how the media awards MVPs, I’m sure he should still be top 3 with Embiid and Jokic, but you’ve got motives, right? This dude turned Brook Lopez into a defensive threat and his presence allowed for Lopez to comfortably extend his range. Keep sleeping.

At some point, you’ve got to acknowledge the star power that exists throughout the entire league. When LeBron, KD, and Steph retire, I anticpate you’ll all become chickens with your heads cut off. Your only attachment at this current moment is Luka, but he’s been losing so you can’t crown him. Maybe your strategy is flawed. Watch the players over the entire NBA and realize there’s more to be consumed than what you’ve been watching for an extended period of time.

We paid heavy attention to Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, Kobe, Iverson, T-Mac, Vince Carter, LeBron, KG, Dirk, Tim Duncan, and others that came before and after them as soon as they hit the league. Mainstream media has Luka in this space but this time with NO variety. I think it’s time for you to skip a few games of whoever you love and to watch what’s happening across the league before you end up scrambling to acknowledge them… Once it’s too late and you’re the last to report on them. That’s the true definition of being a bandwagon fan and front-running. Then you’ll oversaturate everything. Don’t say I’m not telling the truth. Don’t run into the rookie wall.