Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Kim Mulkey senselessly tried to intimidate the Washington Post

As LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey gaslighted the press for nearly four minutes, assuredly, her team’s communications department watched in horror as queen pomposity ensured their jobs would get exponentially burdensome. Goodness willing, parents of current players watched, questioning why they want their daughters to take instruction from a bully.

The Washington Post is releasing a story soon about her. She’s as timorous as Magic Johnson was in 2019 when ESPN’s Baxter Holmes was on his tail and about to expose him as a fearmonger. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have irrationally ranted, threatening a defamation suit, and then denied those she insulted an opportunity for a follow-up.

In tyrannical fashion, she besmirched the integrity of a public servant because he dared to investigate a subject who deems herself above reproach. This assignment began two years ago, as Mulkey agitatedly explained, and -wait for it- the reporter committed the sin of giving her another opportunity to speak on record on Tuesday (March 19).

On top of that, she accused the journalist of deceiving her colleagues for information. If she’s not bluffing, taking the WP to court, I eagerly await to see how her counsel proves she is a victim. Her backup players probably have higher odds of ripping through the tournament to capture the trophy.

“It was an attempt to prevent me from commenting and an attempt to distract [the women’s basketball team] from [the NCAA] tournament,” Mulkey said.

She must think those in the room are as dull as her to believe that she couldn’t comment five days after the last attempt was made.

She added, “They’re ignoring the 40-plus years of positive stories that they have heard from people about me.”

Based on her attitude, she probably wants the media to refer to her as “editor,” as ESPN’s Adam Schefter did with Bruce Allen in 2011.

Will she finally get humbled? Likely not, but her anger at the impending truth surfacing is satisfying to witness.

Parents were still comfortable allowing her next to their children after Kate Fagen reported that she told Brittney Griner to shut up about being gay in 2013.

Her reputation even survived defending her then-employer, Baylor University. At the same time, it was involved in a federal lawsuit over the school neglecting victims of sexual violence, resulting in it settling and firing its president Ken Starr and football coach Art Briles. Never forget her comments:”The problems we have at Baylor are no different than the problems at any other school in America. Period. Move on, find another story to write.”

Her stature didn’t crumble at her indifference when Sa’Myah Smith fainted during the group’s 2023 White House visit, either.

She’s callous, and her actions at the presser aren’t normal- it’s textbook intimidation. The irony is that her comments presumably guaranteed thousands more will check out the WP report. Maybe it will be the real reason she left Baylor.