Some of the most controversial actions of NBA players happened on Instagram Live. With even non-basketball fans routinely checking what’s the latest and hottest on social media, a few of these sessions quickly went viral. In Jaden Ivey’s case, it resulted in the Chicago Bulls cutting ties with him on Monday.
Ivey was just the latest to join a list of NBA players who faced massive heat following a controversial fan interaction on IG Live. The Bulls waived him ahead of their matchup against the San Antonio Spurs for “conduct detrimental to the team.”
3 NBA Players Who Suffered Backlash After Controversial IG Live Appearance
#3. Ja Morant
Ja Morant is one of the most controversial NBA players in recent years. His first incident on IG Live happened on March 4, 2023, after the Memphis Grizzlies lost 113-97 to the Denver Nuggets. While in Glendale, Colorado, Morant brandished a gun, an action that earned him an eight-game suspension.
Morant said that he took “full responsibility for my actions” after receiving backlash.
Nearly two months later, he was seen again flexing a gun during an IG Live session with one of his friends. For the repeat offense, the NBA came down hard, suspending him for 25 games to start the 2023-24 season.
#2. Kai Jones
Morant was one of a few NBA players who had controversies during the 2023-24 season. Another one that grabbed the limelight for a bizarre reason was then Charlotte Hornets center Kai Jones.
Jones was nearly incoherent during an IG Live interaction with fans in early October 2023. The backup center could be seen laughing, shaking his head and mumbling words only he could understand.
The Hornets kept him out of training camp following his display of erratic behavior. A few days after the IG Live incident, he asked for a trade, forcing the team to waive him.
#1. Jaden Ivey
Jaden Ivey’s 75-minute-long interaction with fans over the weekend created a storm that put the highlight on NBA players’ mental health. He made some questionable remarks, including calling Catholicism a “false religion.” Ivery quoted the Bible when responding to his people who were concerned about his behaviour.
During a long rant on Monday, he called the Pride Month celebration in the NBA “unrighteousness.” He also questioned Steph Curry’s religious beliefs and passionately said that Curry “Don’t know Jesus.” For good measure, the 24-year-old guard included LeBron James and Michael Jordan in his viral diatribe.
NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Ivey’s “anti-LGBTQ comments amid several rants on religion and other topics” were reasons the Bulls waived the former Detroit Pistons guard.
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