Hmm I don’t know about that. Most players aren’t recognized out and about. Sure there are the superstars that have their faces plastered all over but I doubt the majority are recognized walking down the street.
I would think that some players are rather private in their every day life and may not like being looked at like they’re some sort of zoo animal. I can see how it could be distracting.
Da Nooch made the comment at the time. Something along the lines he'd be in the weight room and people would be tapping on the glass like he was supposed to do tricks for them.
Apply it to your work environment and you can see how easily it becomes a distraction. Would you want people wandering through where you work, while you tried to work, tapping on the separating glass, making faces, pointing at you, laughing, generally cutting up trying to communicate with you?
While some say it wouldn't bother them, it would register on a subconscious level and you may not realize how and how much it affects you.
Sometimes it only takes one little thing to ruin your day, or at least disrupt your routine for a bit. Do you want it to be some kid crying and slobbering while you are trying to concentrate?
Pity the poor sucker who starts a tour in a coal mine, construction site, or oil platform in the gulf.