Damian Lillard criticizes current NBA media drift: ‘But what is this?’

Damien Lillard He is one of the most underrated stars in the NBA today. There are several reasons to explain it. First, he will play in minor-market franchises. Then it’s worth considering the lack of good results in the playoffs in recent years. Then there’s the whole problem of standout play, mere stats, and a whole new narrative focused on other banality that often forgets the development of basketball itself.

In an interesting and deep reflection with JJ Reddickthe base and referent of portland trailblazers He explained several reasons, mostly due to the current state of the NBA and the new generation of players and young fans, that have led him to think he won’t be playing for many more years. there are many applause and thoughtful reflection A former player’s podcast, Old man and three people:

“I feel like I play for my love of basketball. I want competitiveness. I want to know how it feels to win. I want to see my teammates in action. I want my teammates to be paid well. We spend more time together than anyone else.

I understand that we are playing to win championships, but we all want to win titles. As if the path doesn’t matter. We can’t go on with this, I don’t know if I’ll be able to play long because I’m not enjoying what the NBA as a whole is doing.

“I can’t enjoy what the whole NBA is doing.”

Damien LillardPortland Trail Blazers players

When I came to the league, I mean, when Jason Kidd was the starter for the Knicks, Grant Hill, Kurt Thomas, Kenyon Martin…there were really older guys in the league. He played with Jared Jeffries, who was about 40 or 41. Earl Watson was 40 when I played him. I played with real veterans and learned a lot. I learned how to be a point guard and how to manage from Mo Williams, Earl Watson and Jared Jeffries. And they didn’t even play games. They just taught me how to do things and I had no choice but to respect the game. When I came to the league, I needed to earn not only what the team gave you and respect, but also my own space within the team.

It wasn’t “Oh, you’re the sixth pick in the draft. That’s your team.” what’s that? I think the difference now is that there is no presence of veterans. This means that in the draft he will be drafted 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, making more money than any player ever picked at the position he has won, and producing more talented players than ever before. I am in a league. Give them the keys to the franchise. They are very talented but there is no one to tell them they have to earn their space. They arrive and are given everything from the start. It affects how he is and how he plays. They play for themselves, they play for stats. They think they’re LeBron James when they go to the All-Star Game or sign a max deal. it’s different. I don’t know how to fully explain it, but the NBA I play now is not the NBA I came from. ”

Full Text of Damien Lillard’s Applause