In the ever-evolving era of athlete-led media, there’s a fine line between spotlight and sideshow. Carmelo Anthony took time on his podcast to reveal observations about what it takes to shine both on the court and off it. On his show, 7 PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony, he’s got this fire in his voice, praising one NBA star who’s nailing the game of life—Draymond Green. While Paul George’s short-lived show fell into controversy and confusion, Draymond Green’s “The Draymond Green Show” has managed to carve out his own lane of credibility and influence. But why does one fall while the other flies?

Let’s be real—athletes often tend to have their own show outside the court to connect with the audience. It is becoming the new normal. But as Melo explained, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. “as the athletes … like what they doing off the court and on the court—it’s becoming a tandem now,” he said. This idea of dual responsibility isn’t just about hopping on a mic and talking—it’s about owning your narrative, even when the story isn’t pretty. Melo dropped a subtle contrast between those who do it right—like Draymond Green and those who crash when the lights get too bright. It’s the ability to show up, both in the game and in the studio while keeping it real. That’s where Draymond wins.

What makes Draymond’s approach so legitimate? Carmelo Anthony broke it down in a way that felt more like advice than critique. “Somebody like Draymond Green does it right… we respect it… and here’s why,” Melo said with conviction. “He’s able to go out there and play… compete… do whatever it may be—good, bad, or whatever—but also he’s able to go on his show and speak about it… and take accountability, you know, a majority of the time. He looks the question in his face like he doesn’t run from the actual question.” That’s it. That’s the difference. Draymond doesn’t just talk his talk—he faces the fire no matter what. Whether it’s a suspension, a technical foul, or a viral meltdown, he doesn’t hide from taking the big questions. He responds, and on the same stage, he competes.

Michael Strahan, the NFL legend, who knows a thing or two about balancing the game and the camera, agreed with the motion. “Draymond has been playing a long time,” Strahan said. “He wasn’t doing this his first few years in the league. No no no… Draymond knows what he can do… how he can turn the switch on and off when he needs to, and he’s able to compartmentalize.” That’s the part that gets overlooked by the people. He also implied that one cannot podcast like Draymond when someone is still figuring himself out in the league. It’s not just about skill, it’s about timing, experience, and knowing what story to tell.

And that’s exactly why Draymond’s show works. He’s not podcasting for fame, he’s sitting there with a purpose. Even when he is criticized, Green is not afraid to take a stand for himself. That is real content! In Carmelo’s words, “If you’re not willing to take the criticism and deal with it when it’s going bad—it’s not going to work. Don’t even think about doing it…” This isn’t about being flashy or viral. It’s about being present.

Why Paul George’s Debut Show was discontinued

Let’s rewind. What happened to Paul’s show? When “Paul George’s Podcast P” was launched in 2023, everyone was excited about. Especially the Clippers fans! But soon enough, things turned sour. Fans began sensing this energy like Paul was avoiding the tough questions. Fans felt Paul was more interested in staying light than going deep. You could almost sense him grasping for the limelight, but run away when the pressure was on.

Then came the backlash. Social media buzzed with fans calling out his half-hearted takes and critics didn’t show their mercy. Unlike Draymond, who faces the fire head-on, George’s side-stepping made folks exit his show after some time. The show didn’t just stall, it crashed under the weight of unmet expectations—both the Clippers and 76ers fandoms. And in February of this year, George announced that he was taking a break from the podcast to focus more on his games and tend to his injury.

Carmelo’s words ring true here: “You can’t fake it“. George’s attempt lacked the grit that Draymond brings, and fans aren’t fools—they’ll ditch you if the content is not real. That’s why Paul George’s Podcast P got benched while Draymond’s show keeps scoring.