Steven Adams just confirmed what fans have suspected for years: video game releases really do mess with athletes. The Houston Rockets center told reporters that when GTA VI drops on November 19, league-wide performance is going to dip. He said scouting and coaching quality will suffer too, and predicted the NFL and other leagues will feel it for the entire month before bouncing back in December.
It gets better. Lewis Hamilton joked in Belgium that he would cancel all his work when the game comes out, which is some incredible timing since GTA 6 launches the same day as the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Qatar GP follows shortly after, so the internet is already watching to see if he actually shows up.
The whole conversation traces back to the Kyler Murray Call of Duty theory, where fans swear the quarterback’s stats drop every time a new COD title releases. Now pro athletes are openly joking about gaming distractions, and it’s turned into one of the most relatable sports moments of the year. So which league do you think suffers most when November 19 hits?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.