Speaking about mental health has been more prevalent among both current and former athletes and especially in the NBA and especially in the past year. Former NBA guard Nate Robinson talked about the battles with depression he had while he was playing in the league.
In a feature for Bleacher Report, Robinson discussed some of the issues he was dealing with while he was playing with the Chicago Bulls under head coach Tom Thibodeau. His maturity and seriousness was questioned throughout his career even when he had moments of brilliance.
Nets vs. Bulls Game 4 3OT: Nate Robinson highlights – 34 points (23 in the 4th quarter) (4.27.13)
Credits to Dawk Ins* The Chicago Bulls were down and just about out in this one. Go figure, Nate Robinson led them back. Nate Robinson scored 34 points, and Chicago wiped out a 14-point deficit late in regulation and beat the Brooklyn Nets 142-134 in triple overtime Saturday to take a 3-1 lead in the first-round playoff series.
The NBA gave me my depression, Robinson told Bleacher. Ive never been a depressed person in my life.
He talked about other instances such as Larry Brown calling him the little shit” on a daily basis when he was the coach of New York Knicks. The guard said he went to therapy to deal with these ongoing mental health issues.
Others who have played or are currently playing in the league have spoken about depression or anxiety such as Kevin Love and DeMar DeRozan. It’s really important that these players continue to speak about mental health considering it’s stigmatized, even more so among men of color.
