Jaden Ivey, guard for the Chicago Bulls was waived Monday morning for what was deemed “conduct detrimental to the team”. So what did he do? Did he pick a fight with a teammate? Was he disrespectful to the coaching staff? Was he late to a meeting? No on all counts. He spoke up on behalf of his faith in Jesus Christ and was outspoken against sin. That is it.
Ivey is one of the most bold believers in the NBA at the moment, with Jonathan Isaac of the Orlando Magic also coming to mind. Ivey, 24, turned his life over to Christ while he was in the league and has been on fire for the Lord ever since, being open about his belief system.
Many times, the world will put up with the occasional mention of faith. Jaden Ivey’s method is unacceptable to the world. His method includes pinpointing sin and exposing the fact that there is ONE way to salvation. Ivey is famous for suddenly during a press conference in 2024 imploring members of the press in front of him to repent and turn their life to Christ because “Jesus is coming” and “the time is near”. This is legitimate faith that is focused on the actuality and the seriousness of what we believe.
This is offensive to the world. Many in the media pointed the incident out at the time as “awkward” and “pushy”——- anything to deflect off their desperate need for a savior. This is not the typical generic “thanking the man upstairs” for a victory—- this is real deal biblical ideology.
Jaden Ivey is also no scrub on the basketball court. He averaged around 17 points per game through his first two seasons after being drafted 5th overall in 2022 to the Detroit Pistons. He suffered a tough fibula fracture late last season and his numbers have dipped slightly since then. He was traded to the Chicago Bulls right before the trade deadline this season. He is now out for the season with injury.
The incident that has led to Ivey being cut was after an Instagram live where he discussed homosexuality, identifying it as sin, and pointing out the fact that the NBA celebrates pride month, in turn celebrating “unrighteousness”. This was mentioned among other things. His main focus when he went live was how little the things of the world matter in comparison with judgement day and whether you put your life in Christ. This is a constant theme for Jaden Ivey. He is laser-focused on sharing with anyone who will listen the importance of putting your life in Christ so that you will inherit eternal life. He is an evangelist.
The next morning after the instagram live, the Chicago Bulls announced that Jaden Ivey had been waived for “conduct detrimental to the team”. It was reported that the Bulls staff grew tired of how “preachy” and “judgmental” Ivey had become. The godless media has gone on the attack already, claiming Ivey suffers from “religious psychosis”, a term obviously made up to attack real believers in Jesus Christ and his person and work.
And who suffers from “psychosis” anyway? Someone who preaches the Gospel or someone who celebrates two dudes going at it?
This is sick. You would hope that the NBA Players’ Association would back Jaden Ivey in this process, since he is obviously being waived for his beliefs. Will they step forward? I am doubtful. They have been silent thus far. I await their action.
There is no surprise that the Chicago Bulls were the team to pull something like this. The Bulls are a joke and have been irrelevant since Derrick Rose was starring for them. I hope to see others in the league stand up for Jaden Ivey, but again, I remain cynical. The NBA is full of fakes.
