NBA stars complain about food and 'Motel 6' rooms at Disney resort, fans tell them to stop being 'cry babies'
NBA stars received a major backlash after complaining about "airline" menu options and comparing their rooms at the Walt Disney resorts to 'Motel 6'. Several of the league's top players hurled complaints about amenities and options provided as they arrived in Orlando, Florida this week to resume the 2020 season. 34-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star J.R. Smith took to Instagram to display a number of snack options in the room and questioned "you want us to eat this s***?"
Players Joel Embiid, Montrezl Harrell, Troy Daniels, and Ben McLemore also expressed their displeasure over the meals. Meanwhile, Lakers' veteran Rajon Rondo compared his hotel room at Walt Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort to "a Motel 6."
The players were widely criticized after they appeared to be ungrateful at a time when thousands across the country are facing unemployment amid the coronavirus pandemic. "Seeing millionaire NBA players complaining about the size of hotel rooms and the contents of their 18 meals a day in the middle of a global pandemic where even their lowest standard exceeds the average poor person’s highest standard," one wrote on Twitter.
20-year-old Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies took a swipe at his disgruntled cohorts. "My room is fine. The food is fine. I'm not a silver spoon guy," he said, per the Bleacher Report.
Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics agreed and urged players to look at the bigger picture. "We understand that the conditions might not be as normal as we’re used to. But no need to complain," Brown told Mass Live.
"I think all of us come from humble beginnings as is, so seeing the bigger picture while we’re down there to not only divert the attention to things that’s going on in the actual world, but come and use our platforms to make a big influence," he continued. "I think that’s the big thing, but the basketball part is going to be easy for a lot of us. We just have to get comfortable slowly but surely."
The players were also rebuked for whining about their food options after thousands across the country lost their ability to afford food during the pandemic. "@NBA Players, Y'all complaining about the food while people out here hungry, y'all complaining about the rooms while people are homeless," one user wrote. "You didn't have to have a season-ending, y'all are blessed to have that. Take the good with the bad and stop it."
Another suggested the players focus more on the ongoing pandemic and not the hotels. "There are plenty of things for NBA players to question and/or complain about as they head into the epicenter of a pandemic ... standard-looking hotel rooms are not one of those things," they wrote.
"It's kinda sad we've been seeing grown men complain about their hotel standards, their food, & even whatever amenities they have & replace it," a third added on Friday. "While people are unemployed cause of this pandemic. I love basketball & the NBA but f***, if s*** like this doesn't sting a bit."
The players were also called out for complaining about their lodging while appearing to fight against homelessness. Rondo's 'Motel 6' remark was not taken well by several of his fans. "@NBA players who are playing in the bubble need to stop being cry babies over their accommodations. You did not have to show up and play. Be a better person and stop complaining. @RajonRondo," one fired.
"Yo Rajon Rondo this room is nicer than your jump shot. What are you complaining about," another tweeted.
Journalist Rodger Sherman added he had "stayed in multiple Motel 6s" and "would like to clarify that this does not, in fact, look like a Motel 6."