Cancel culture may be reason American’s have NBA MVP drought, ESPN analyst says

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder made history by becoming the seventh consecutive international player to win the NBA’s MVP award. This streak was broken by James Harden in 2017-2018 when he won the award with the Houston Rockets. The lack of American MVP winners in recent years has raised questions about the impact of cancel culture in the NBA.

During a discussion on ESPN’s “First Take,” former Duke star and current ESPN analyst Jay Williams pondered whether cancel culture is preventing American players from achieving MVP status. He highlighted the sensitivity and accountability issues that coaches face when coaching young players in today’s basketball landscape.

Williams emphasized the importance of coaching young players hard and providing them with accountability. He expressed concerns about the level of sensitivity among today’s basketball players and urged coaches to continue coaching players rigorously, despite the challenges presented by cancel culture.

The MVP race this year saw international players dominating the top spots, with Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking the first place, followed by Serbian Nikola Jokic in second and Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo in third. The highest-ranking American player was Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, who finished in fourth place.

As the NBA continues to evolve, the discussion around cancel culture and its impact on player development and recognition remains relevant. It is essential for coaches and players to navigate these challenges while maintaining a focus on growth, accountability, and excellence on the court.

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Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.