In an age when athletes are fully aware that whatever they say will be put under a microscope, Knicks guard Brandon Jennings is usually an open book for fans who want to pick his brain. Today, he didn't run from a fan's Twitter question about Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell.
In a since-deleted tweet, Jennings responded: "Dude is a Great Hooper, but I don't respect a snitch." He then followed with:
Jennings is referring, of course, to Russell's role in the strange, unique Nick Young/Iggy Azalea drama of this spring. Russell Snapchatted a video of Swaggy P admitting to cheating on Azalea. In turn, people seemed more upset with Russell—you broke the bro code!—than Young, who was disloyal to his fiancé. Azalea and Young have since broken up over a separate infidelity issue involving Young.
Russell seems to have moved on well. He poked fun at himself in a hilarious Foot Locker commercial this summer, and basketball fans are now singing his praises for his on-court performance after struggles his rookie year—struggles that were accentuated by Russell's reported riffs with then-coach Byron Scott.
No matter how well Russell bounces back, though—even if he becomes a 10-time All-Star—some players and fans will never forgive him for betraying a teammate. However, most seem to have moved on from Russell's error.
Azalea and Young didn't last anyway. The dude made a big mistake, no question. But haven't we all messed up?
Though Jennings' attribution may be a bit harsh—labeling Russell a "snitch"—give credit to Jennings for openly speaking his mind. The sports world would be so much more engaging if a majority of athletes would do the same.
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