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Veteran commentator Marv Albert is one of the most beloved figures in the NBA. His body of work in 60 years as one of the pioneering voices of the league has been lauded by many. However, he might've committed a regrettable mistake last Saturday.
During TNT's broadcast of Game 7 between the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, Albert called Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo “valuable property.” His remark didn't sit well with many fans as they took to Twitter to call out Albert:
@LeBatardShow Did anyone else catch it when Marv Albert called Durant and Giannis 'valuable property when they hit the deck in game 7?
— Keith 🇺🇦 ☮️ (@Mazattacks) June 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/ReevesReviews/status/1406432138690433027
Did Marv Albert just refer to KD and Giannis colliding as "valuable property"? WTAF. #bucksnets #NetsvsBucks pic.twitter.com/v4GfLUpgmX
— 4+4=ATE (@a_dix83) June 20, 2021
The irony that Albert said it on Juneteenth was also pointed out by frustrated fans:
You can’t make this up. They just announced something about George Floyd and Juneteenth during the Net vs. Bucks game, and maybe a minute later, Marv Albert calls Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant “valuable property.”
No…I’m not overthinking or overreacting. pic.twitter.com/DrC70MF01L
— L E F T, PhD ⚫️ (@LeftSentThis) June 20, 2021
Did Marv Albert just call KD and Giannis “valuable property” on Juneteenth??? pic.twitter.com/y0XvmAk2kA
— “Grits Don’t Work on Me” (@_lilbabychance) June 20, 2021
One guy, meanwhile, noted that there haven't been many discussions about Albert's blunder:
btw surprisingly few takes about marv albert calling 2 of the NBA’s MVPs valuable property yesterday on the broadcast. i personally think Grant was like “WTF” in his head because he repeated the sentiment while clearly not saying property
— A.D. (@aKlamBake) June 20, 2021
Did Marv Albert just say KD was valuable property on Juneteenth or am I trippin!?!?
— Justin Knox (@Tuscaloosa_Slim) June 20, 2021
Former NBA center Etan Thomas, who's now an advocate for social justice, urged other members of the NBA community to avoid doing what Albert did:
Attention all NBA commentators Presidents, GM’s, Governors and everyone else: Don’t ever refer to a Black Man as “valuable property” like Marv Albert did last night when referring to KD and Giannis. It’s beyond disrespectful and insulting pic.twitter.com/7MF0h4nNBl
— Etan Thomas (@etanthomas36) June 20, 2021
As of posting, Albert has yet to issue a statement. But it's highly possible that it was just an innocent mistake by the 80-year-old icon. He has always been supportive of NBA players, developing close relationships with guys like Reggie Miller, Steve Kerr, Chris Webber, and Grant Hill.
But be that as it may, athletes indeed should never be viewed as a form of property. There has been a tide of activism in the sports world, and Durant and Giannis have been quite vocal in showing they're more than just athletes.
Marv Albert will retire at the end of the season.
