The season didn’t end for the Milwaukee Bucks as expected, but there was an offcourt win worth noting…one that came from relationships and being professional and business like in a world where many organizations run and hide for fear of upsetting an athlete who was wrong.
For those who don’t know, the Bucks Patrick Beverley pulled quite a double following the series-ending loss to the Indiana Pacers, first getting in an altercation that could have turned ugly with a fan, and then singling out and then embarrassing a longtime media member, now at ESPN, asking her to not participate in his postgame scrum because she didn’t subscribe to his podcast.
The video of the second incident led to all kinds of social posts, including a rumor that ESPN had decided to ban Beverley from any media interaction with its reporters going forward (Not true).
What was true is that it was a bad look for everyone, and the Bucks sought to diffuse and correct the situation…both situations, before the offseason truly began and the stories lingered.
First, comments from head coach Doc Rivers, followed (on his podcast) and explanation and apology from Beverly within 24 hours.
“That’s not the Milwaukee way or the Bucks way,” Rivers said. “We’re better than that. Pat feels awful about that. He also understands emotionally — this is an emotional game and things happen — unfortunately, you’re judged immediately and he let the emotions get the better of him.”
Along with the explanations were the little things…the Bucks communications staff reaching out to reporter Malinda Adams to apologize, and then Beverly himself calling her to make amends. All of which closed the news cycle and got the team, and those involved, to move on.
While some may say “of course” when seeing how the situation was handled, it is sometimes not the course of business these days. Relationships are fractured, social media spins out of control, whisperers support the entitled, the “media” gets blamed, and there is no conclusion, sometimes only escalation.
Why did The Bucks triumph? Relationships with media, the trust by those involved in listening to members of the organization, and leadership of the team taking a stand.
Textbook way to minimize damage, bring a situation to an end without further damage, and sending a clear message to any and all that relationships and integrity matter to the organization.
Score one for the Bucks, pulling a win from a tough loss.
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