Malika Andrews responds to criticism of coverage of black NBA stars

Even by the standards of a league rife with internet nonsense, the narrative among NBA fans online about ESPN studio host Malika Andrews has spiraled out of control.

Starting with an on-air argument with Stephen A. Smith First recording Regarding the firing of Ime Udoka as head coach of the Boston Celtics in 2022 over an extramarital affair with a team employee, Andrews has accompanied controversy through her coverage of almost every major off-court scandal in the NBA. Since then, whether Andrews’ focus on the No enough Regarding Chicago Bulls forward Josh Giddey’s alleged sexual indiscretions last season, Andrews found it difficult to please basketball fans.

The bottom line, reinforced by random parties like former Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, is the perception that Andrews is biased in her coverage of black players and their off-field issues.

The host of NBA today And NBA countdown addressed these allegations in a recent episode of Dinner with DeMara mental health YouTube show hosted by outspoken advocate and NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan.

“The hardest thing for me sometimes is putting up with the untruths, especially the idea of ​​’You hate black men,’ which couldn’t be further from the truth, and taking advantage of my family or the way my family looks.” kind of proof of that,” Andrews explained. “And that it’s just untrue and just unkind. We all have jobs to do and I try my best to show every day that (the NBA athletes) know what I’m about.”

Andrews comes from a mixed-race family and recently married white ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin. The most hateful and parasocial viewers in Andrews’ online mentions are likely using her family’s racist background to make their case for the bias they claim.

Although Andrews was outraged by this mentality, she did not shy away from being held accountable.

“That doesn’t mean I’ve covered every story perfectly; That doesn’t mean I don’t make mistakes,” Andrews told DeRozan. “But I think I’m pretty good at telling you, ‘I could have done better.’ And that’s what I hope, I think, is that we can maintain that kindness and humanity that we sometimes lose, even as social media continues to grow around the world.”

Earlier this year, Andrews revealed the depth of her battle with mental illness in a profile People Magazine. The former New York Times And Chicago Tribune The reporter said she struggled with eating disorders and self-harm as a young child, while also battling depression People She attributed it to being a black girl living in a predominantly white community in the Bay Area. She spent time in numerous outpatient treatment centers and boarding schools.

Andrews told DeRozan that she tries to use her lived experience to do her job well, rather than complaining about the negative slander that comes with it through fan messaging.

“I try very hard to keep the things I experienced in mind when I talk about players. I’m trying to have that empathy and understand that I have a job to do, but also understand that I’m not here to play idiot,” Andrews said. “I say that a lot, especially before I talk to people about sensitive or difficult things, because these things come up and it’s hurtful. And I think sometimes it’s okay to say that…especially for me when it’s not true.”

Given the challenges Andrews faced growing up and the rhetoric surrounding her career, her perspective is quite unique. And rather than spurning NBA fans or allowing the negativity to overwhelm her, Malika Andrews is continuing to rise through the ranks at ESPN, making her approach to covering the NBA transparent for the global leader.

(DeMar DeRozan on YouTube)