I don't disagree that there seemed to be more of the occasional reporters that would piss off a player badly back then, but let's not act like it was the norm and that half the reporters were doing that.
and skip isn't the only person who will say stupid crap to get a rise out of players, he just does it for an obnoxious degree that almost no one has ever tried. but plenty of other reporters are very opinionated and critical.
personally, it wouldn't surprise me if giannis is being given a bit of a pass because of all the BLM and civil unrest going on, and most people don't wanna rock the boat