Damian Lillard On Why The Lack Of Vets Has Created Entitlement In The NBA

In this clip, Damian Lillard (The Portland Trail Blazers) explains to JJ Redick why he believes the lack of veterans in the lorckerrooms is creating a sense of entitlement in The NBA.
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#nba #damianlillard #jjredick

[@OLDMANANDTHETHREE]

We sound old lol. Dame brings a lot of wisdom to this subject though. Full convo here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZyannStp8mWjqM

[@MG-fn9xw]

It’s not wisdom when you can’t look yourself in the mirror an realize you are just as entitled as the ones you complain about. Damian will never win ANYTHING by jacking up 40 foot 3 pointers for absolutely ZERO reason. That’s not winning basketball, an stop blaming the rockets with James harden as the reason why you play the way you play. That’s the dumbest excuse I ever heard. Nuggets don’t shoot a lot of 3s an they are best team in the league

[@richlor92]

Theres a shortage of "good vets" because they get pushed out of the league as soon as they aren't solid players anymore in favor of young players and their potential even though most of them need vets to teach them how to play the game correctly.

[@seahawksFishing]

It's crazy tho because the good teams usually have some good vets. If they are getting minutes or not. It seems like the old NBA is lost and they all want to go young

[@Dibi1821]

I don’t think we’ll ever see a team like the 2011 Mavs again

[@issahazkins812]

@@seahawksFishing I like how Iggy moves on the warriors. Haslem on the heat etc

[@BigPurp9]

There was that quote about Steven Adam’s leading the Grizzlies team meeting in response to Ja and one of the first comments I saw was “How can Adams speak on Ja he’s a bum compared to him”. Just shows the mentality the league has these days

[@supwititproductionz3738]

@@BigPurp9 Also you'd have to be a moron to say Adams is "bum" with no basketball knowledge. Elite offensive rebounder and screener, lol.

[@sirgarrote]

Million-dollar show idea -- have a weekly segment with Dame. Too good.

[@paulmccartney1094]

agreed he is their most insightful guest

[@DavidBagga]

Great points about the lack of vets in the league. I feel like the lifestyle is what a lot of these young guys are after now, at least from the outside looking in. Combine that with social media following and branding that all the young guys are after and it becomes more entertainment stuff than the love of the game. Fascinating to see where it’s heading. Keep up the great work JJ! The game needs your voice 👌🏽🏀

[@ajtaylor8750]

When you're a young player getting paid a ton of money and are able to live the lifestyles that most people dream of, there's a natural sense of entitlement that comes from it because you believe you're HIM. Having those vets in that locker room to show you how to move and play the game with integrity is needed more today than in the past.

[@jamesho8258]

Reminds me of Ja Morant

[@jumbokevin]

Reminds me of Ben Simmons

[@nathanolson3135]

Remind me of Lebum

[@pedrovisgueira]

This is the realest NBA interview I've seen

[@fupalover]

Watch more interviews.

[@pedrovisgueira]

Nah I got stuff to do

[@Justinsox39]

Definitely some great points he brings up. This guy has a career in media when he’s done playing if he so chooses. Hopefully a podcast or something

[@nathanbranson9149]

I agree. This points out why the NBA is less and less interesting to watch. I'm 39 years old and I want to watch mature men play, not immature college students.

[@fupalover]

@@pedrovisgueira Stay sleep then.

[@jamalsimon9383]

I agree 1000% what dame just said like the game is moving a away from the fundamentals to just entertainment I’m so glad I got to cherish basketball back then where competitive the DEFENSE and the physicality was at its best.

[@chrissennfelder7249]

Dame is my favourite player. This interview just solidifies my admiration for the guy.

[@frost-lx9by]

I mean in this modern nba all the vets are like 22-28 which is crazy

[@SmoovyNovaFan]

the last era 40 year old vets were common place were the 90s, the 2 vets Dame mentioned here that he had as a rook were actually in their early 30s instead of 40s like he said💀prob just remembered their ages wrong

[@dc-mw9fd]

@@SmoovyNovaFan Early 30s is still a decade in the league

[@CalvinManga]

JJ milking this interview for everything its worth😂😂 I don’t blame him. Dame is such an insightful player.

[@NoVisionGuy]

he does this normally to every guests tho

[@davefrempong]

JJ Vlad 😂

[@notagain9023]

I also blame the NBA for this. They have been going on this crusade against vets keeping them far away from the court as possible. Most of these young guys NEED those vets to help them along the way

[@soundsbysondae]

I wouldn’t be opposed to the league impose a honorable 16th man roster spot where there have each team appoint a roster spot for a veteran that’s trying to get signed to a team. Like melo, boogie cousins, etc should be on a team not only competing but consulting a locker room for these young teams

[@prasad530]

If you watched the Warriors championship run last year, I thought Iguodala played a critical role in helping them even though he was on the bench.

[@jaquonhemphill5136]

I like this.

[@milesmccall2301]

Boogie is the last guy you want teaching people how to act lol

[@gianniassa5208]

“its more about entertainment and politics nowadays” STRAIGHT FACTS

[@Professorlive]

Love the insight💯

[@XabzintheNBAGuru]

How's your day

[@jackpollard23]

This episode reminded me of the Fultz episode. Vets mean a lot and in that episode you can tell how much Fultz respects and appreciates JJ because he was his vet

[@mikeyt9323]

Dame and Giannis are my 2 favorite players. Leaders of men and do it the right way.

[@BookerT69]

Yep that’s the truth and I hate the NBA. The NBA is worth watching in the second round of the playoffs on

[@DaLordIsBack1]

Why does the middle guy sit like a toddler everytime during these LMAO

[@BookerT69]

😂 idk he’s strange

[@minutemenhunter]

This reminds me of when Chuck said we tell fellas this a job get to work and focus on the craft where most new young players coming in have never worked a real job and don't know what that means. Makes you appreciate guys like dame even more.

[@axucaroso]

Without Moses and Doc, Chuck would have been Michael Beasley. Look at the difference Pat Bev has made with the Bulls. Watch Jimmy Butler do Jake Shuttlesworth moves for the old school 'and one'. These guys started from the bottom and learned the complete game.

[@xblfanatic360]

The main issue is the money. If your a starter or decent 6th or 7th man on the team, your making more than what superstars made just 10 years ago. It’s hard to stay motivated when your paid so well before you’ve done anything.

[@manz7860]

Bertans from the Dallas Mavs 😂 Had one decent year and Fleeced mark Cuban

[@laceeahfoo]

Dame not lying basketball isn’t just basketball anymore

[@jalenad11]

For context, the highest number of high school to NBA was in the early 2000s but the average team age was STILL older than today.

[@manz7860]

I gotta say. Lebron ushered in the era of player entitlement. Never seen a guy who thinks he has the right to be given a playoff ready team every damn year.

[@Dyswtric2001]

2:45 This speaks to what CJ McCullum talked about. There are NBA players that treat their profession like a 9-5 and others ball is literally everything to them. The 9-5 mentality is probably health post-NBA but it is not going to take you to the next level.

[@Boyd2ubaikie]

If they treated it like a 9 to 5 they'd be all-star level, these guys are doing 2 hours of work/day if lucky

[@Tehui1974]

I love Lillard's attitude. I can't stand the narcissists in the game right now.

[@bookaufman9643]

Based on the whole idea that it's a youth driven entitlement problem it must be hell in Houston and OKC. I think that there's a real mess behind the scenes in Atlanta and I think that it's pretty obviously one entitled player. I'm not even going to say names. Y'all know already.

[@CyrogenicNation]

I can't say for certain what happens in OKC, but from what they show in their media veteran presence still exist somewhat. Nick Collison is in the front office and Andre Roberson and Nazr Muhammed are in OKC's G-league team as a player and GM respectively (they share an arena with the OKC now so there's probably overlapping in training, plus some current Thunder players are on and off that team like Poku and Dort his first season). They're not sharing the court together tho so it is different from Dame's situation

[@KozyKool2287]

There is a lot of ageism in the NBA right now and I don't like it. Upperclassmen go in the 2nd round or Undrafted for no good reason. And for the vets, if you are over 30 and can't shoot a 3 pointer, you are considered to be useless. This 1 and done era can't be over fast enough. Let these guys come out of High School again and let's see who is brave enough to stick in the Draft.

[@manz7860]

This so much. 4 year college players like Austin Reaves going undrafted is absolutely insane. Meanwhile they're giving a bag to scrubs like Zion just strictly on potential 😂

[@JelaniWood]

#FACTS. Way more of a "Product" now than it was before. Watching in the 80's and 90's for me like half the league was Vets. Was rare for a youngster to come in and really shake things up. Now it's all young pups running around chucking 3's and playing no defense. All the teams pretty much look and play the same.

[@AtlasAdvice254]

It's kind of wild really, because you can see young teams in desperate need of quality vets to help them grow. The Rockets especially, but also the Magic and Pistons would really benefit from some more seasoned players to help their young stars grow. Some people may not understand the value of these vets, but especially the young guys who haven't played in the playoffs or have had many big games/close moments in their career, the experience that the older players have to impart to these young guys goes to indescribable lengths. It's the difference between a young star player blossoming into a all star or superstar. Just look at Shai, though he wasn't with him for long, CP3 surely helped his development to grow into the player he is now. Then look at someone like Trae, he's a hell of a talent but has he had the chance to learn under a seasoned vet, to humble him and teach him how to restrain himself? That's the difference between real development for these kinds of players. But also how players like Manu, Andre Iguadola, Lou williams etc come around. Helping guys like that sacrifice stardom to help their teams become competitive.

[@CashTony]

I agree with Dame. I hear Charles Barkley say the same thing. People just want to see the best of the best actually compete and stop being buddy buddy

[@AndGuo]

Such a myth that people still believe in that back than there was no buddy buddy. I see MJ in the last dance go golfing with his opponent the day before the game.

[@subjectively_objective]

@@AndGuo lmao don’t tell the old heads that they gonna get upset

[@jamesanderson1179]

​​@@AndGuond Jordan would be woofing at Barkley the next day. Friendships went out the door when the game started. Classic example was Magic and I Thomas kissing before the game and went to war and fell out during and after the game.

[@frostythekrowman]

JJ, respond to this comment if your a good 3pt shooter 😏

[@OLDMANANDTHETHREE]

😎

[@danielmeuler2877]

Just look at the Dental Scams that were being Pulled by Players. I know it's been swept under the Rug but that was Wild. Entitlement at it's finest.

[@freddycalipari4242]

Those guys played with vets. You went on a tangent dames talking about today’s game.

[@Podcasthighlight]

When are you getting manu ginobili on the pod

[@BookerT69]

That would be tight

[@YJP23]

Steph with his bodyguard 😂😂 Bro was ready for anything when pulling up on jj

[@iamironkanute8750]

It is not just the lack of vets. Part of the problem has been the increasing empowerment of the superstars. They do what they want, in public and behind the scenes. The younger players all think they are the next Lebron and act the same way. It starts with the AAU where the athletic guys are recruited and cultivated as future superstars. No one has to fight/work to earn their place. Then, they go thru schools treated as royalty and we wonder why they act entitled. Good Luck changing this dynamic, however it might be part of the problem with so many foreign players rising to the top. They have to work harder to get noticed.

[@aaronlampkin284]

At this point, I don’t think the EU players need to “work harder” they have fundamental’s to out work the USA player’s now. Thats why its barely looks like Jokic is trying. They take practice serious to breakdown the game and it starts with fundamental’s to make things much easier on the court. AAU. Is the problem

[@waff6ix]

🙏🏾JJ CAN WE PLZ GET JERRY WEST ON THE SHOW‼️💯

[@austinlacey8362]

Players come into the league now. Have 1 good season and then expect 100m contract without proving a damn thing. Players now think that since there in the league there automatically entitled to a big pay cheque when in reality they should have to work for that big contract not just be handed it

[@fkm512]

Wonder if the 9 people one was Simmons?

[@bernardosousa627]

Especially because it was after he was traded, so it wouldn't surprise me

[@lorenzomassetti2699]

I think he has banchero, since he said a young kid

[@dreamcage1801]

NBA wants to go cheap on investing in young players instead of spending money on vets.

[@Justinsox39]

Really incredible insight from Lillard here. The game is about the individual stars and not about the team.

[@j00bert]

Damn... Dame is so real for this. NEEDS to be a regular guest on this show

[@gabesoto9301]

Vets that are strictly there to being a presence and help the young guys along are dwindling. That’s part of the problem. The other issue I think has to do with basketball culture as a whole. Social media has fucked up a lot of things, but it’s definitely affected basketball culture so much. Now, everyone can see the lifestyle that being in the NBA brings these players. And yes, I’d say most young players like basketball, they enjoy playing it, but I’m not sure all of the top guys getting drafted every year LOVE basketball. If you truly love it, you’ll follow the process and do the work needed to really improve. You’ll do everything you can to get back on the court if you’re injured. There’s always been dudes who get to the league and become content with the lifestyle and don’t really care like that. But it’s just becoming more common now

[@BillyBibit]

Lots of players today claim to be Kobe "disciples" but looks like it's only Dame that's really livin' that life.

[@DyLemmaOG]

Dame is a real one he doesn't need no backup

[@hybridmultimedia6436]

NBA kinda shity now. Go Blazers

[@deon_pet]

That last sentence is the root of everything. It should be plastered on every NBA headline. It’s not the organic love for the game anymore, it’s an artificial marketing machine.

[@TK-nc3ou]

As a fan, I dont care about practice. I care about how current NBA games feel like an Saturday pickup game of some old dudes. It feels like players are allowing other players to produce stats -- not pressuring them, giving space etc. Everybody eats. It is still competetive, but feels like its all half effort.

[@MushMunkey]

lol because you aren't a real fan bro. People that play ball can actually see real utilization on the floor from the spacing at the beginning to their position at the end and what that means for the next play. It's chess and offensive has been getting better and better because players are actually good now. I regularly see guards scoring like they're prime MJ because athleticism and talent is at an all time high... all of this starts at practice / coaching something 65% of the playerbase don't understand. I doubt 80% of blazers fans could name their coach at this point in time. When the Nets Vaughn changed up their practice routine KD talked about how it changed their dynamic and how they were able to approach long game stretches / away games. (18-2 record off of KD's MVP display of skill at the time but I credit Vaughn for their short revival.)

[@TK-nc3ou]

@@MushMunkey Sorry, I didn't see the memo that now bball is for those who play ball. NBA must love this trend.

[@ManwellManu]

that subtle Bape flex in the beginning😭

[@sunriseeternity300]

I would like to see some sort of cap exception slot for 1 or 2 vets per team. Max out the slot at 10mill a year or so, and count 4mill on the cap. This would encentivize teams to sign vets. Put a years in the league threshold, someting like 8+ years. Guys who are past 8 years and still really ballin would command more on the market (or i suppose take less to win).

[@ANGELOFDARKification]

I think it's the fact generally that the young guys these days have crazy ego. Social media has given them endless power so a vet won't really maintain or discipline them unless they are HoF level players.

[@11_KingofKings]

When the money changed in 2016 it made it easier for owners to oust vets getting financial incentives based on their tenure in the league rather then their actual value to the team or so they thought…vets are needed in literally every facet of life..why would basketball b any different? But now they rather pay inexperienced young players willing to take less for a chance to showcase their talent vs vets who may help in the floor but definitely vocally help guide and pass down critical principles and knowledge of the league and the game it self..it all ties in to the decline overall quality of product of the league today

[@TheTurtle1100]

Butters voice: do you know what I am saying

[@kevinthejuice]

NBA sells flash. Sports media needs that to get revenue for clicks. It's like car salesman, they're trying to sell the brand new cars all the time. Young players sell more jerseys (I assume, I can be totally wrong). Young players get the clicks on social media, etc. But if you built a team with some veterans you're not going to get flashy basketball, you're going to get high IQ stuff which unfortunately sports media typically finds "boring". Which comes at a detriment to the sport since the NBA is/has shifted to selling points, and triple doubles, not the strategy or finer details of the game itself. The NBA will look at it like, "yeah but we can't sell that, we gotta attract large swaths of people to make money on the TV side. The 20 or 30 fans that actually care about the game won't get us there."

[@jumbokevin]

Most entitled player = Ben Simmons

[@manz7860]

Easily Lebron James. And it's not even particularly close.

[@PellesBecsSourisTV]

You’re not an old man,you just have common sense that most people is missing

[@Hansbricks14]

*Cough cough* memphis *cough cough*

[@chel7236]

If not the love of the field.....if not the love of the floor....it's of being in the wrong job.....our love of our job means everything....what comes next, let it be of💖💖💖💪💪💪💪💪💪💪🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Indy_440]

Dame hit it right on the nail.

[@gt122388]

That's why Carmelo needs to still be in the NBA

[@vincenthammons6705]

yeah he can teach them how to not play defense

[@Kodreanu23]

Carmelo is probably the worst example. Entitlement all the way. Cautionary tale when you make all about you

[@MrBaltch]

I love Dame so much, and I'm a Raptors fan!

[@milesmccall2301]

I think spectacle is a better word for what Dame calls entertainment. You want the league to be entertaining, but you want it to be because of the quality of the basketball and competition is so high. A What you want to avoid is the spectacle overshadowing the sport. Selling personalities, off court personas, beef, walk-in outfits. They all have a place, but you can't let them become the focus or you'll become the WWE. The UFC has a big problem with this.

[@RampageYI]

The crazy part about this is that teams that win are mostly vets and not young players. This is interesting.

[@yaboynate09]

He definitely talking about Memphis

[@jimmyjameson8705]

SILVER and his boss lebone have DESTROYED THE NBA. sad.

[@hybridmultimedia6436]

Some dudes need side kick dude. Always thought that was weird. My friends are my Equals not my Robin's

[@Twittchyy]

That 2010 lakers vs Boston series is one of the greatest of all time

[@AaronBrown2015]

Memphis definitely needs this in their locker room. I think Shai is benefiting from being with the Clippers and their vets and then having CP in OKC as a vet to help him mature. Memphis needs vets

[@onshaqnem]

Bingo

[@nessdagoat]

Idc what anyone says, Austin Rivers using the mixtapes as a talking point for how the game has regressed considering how his career has played out is an absolute joke. He’s a living breathing example of that going wrong and seems totally oblivious to it. WOW 😂

[@jchis3140]

How so ? He’s a had a 10 year career. Not every player is a superstar.

[@nessdagoat]

@@jchis3140 OK but at least four of those years are due to nepotism. He’s always been whiny. He’s never looked like a hard worker and he never got better. I can keep going if you want the list grow.

[@jchis3140]

@@nessdagoat keep going, he was signed by his father in his younger years. Why are teams still taking him now then?

[@tobyncummins]

If LaMelo Ball is the leader on the Charlotte Hornets, one can only imagine how TMZ their locker room is.

[@xyzpath]

You in a fading sport bud. It's going to turn into a circus soon.

[@jovenjoshuagallardo1530]

Jalen Rose did a great job with Ja but I kinda want JJ doing an interview with Ja as well

[@SanRhuan]

That interview was phony as hell, almost like Ja took the time out just to memorize those answers. We need some real talk with someone he knows or trust.

[@daakhi4p813]

@@SanRhuan Stephen A or Skip Bayless😂

[@Holland1917]

If jj did that Kendrick Perkins would call him racist

[@fupalover]

You must be really gullible Joven

[@digontozahid]

That jalen rose interview with ja is so fake its embarrassing ...the acting from ja was sooo fake

[@dagarob_c]

I see what Dame is saying, “oh he posted a triple dub, did ya see the nutneg disrespect?, his shoes, that post on ig he posted” ect! Love Dame he is right!

[@Thizlamic]

Oakland checking in...lil Bro wasting his talent up there bruh. DAMN SHAME.

[@nitoshadow]

Jr smith, lance stephenson, jokim Noah etc could be vets to help young players while also being a solid player on the team who wouldn’t need to start so you can still let your young players develop

[@JStack]

Idk there’s a different between old heads from the hood giving you live advice and you being tricked into being a bootlicker for “pride.”

[@benjaminpadilla4857]

The GMs were listening. That's why Fred Vanvleet got the big contract with Houston Rockets. He is stable and mature and humble to be the leader of the young Rockets . He's good but not great but you can trust this guy to get respect from the young guys .

[@mistahparker826]

Best interview short I’ve seen on here. Dolla Dame is a real 1

[@derekcaldwell3771]

Why don't you just ask the real question are you going to let the money make you or are you going to make the money!

[@steve13191]

This is why every american sports are getting worse and worse. It’s true what he says, people get drafted in and suddenly own the keys to the team. No hierarchy, no sense of respect and the process of buying into a team value. It doesnt help that these sports are “trade” and “draft” based. Unlike european sports, people in nba teams are mercenaries they know they will play and have to play for anybody.

[@jadacunningham2768]

I love dame the grizzlies must watch this podcast cause we end up getting 2 vets

[@thuggwaffle8825]

Most of this comes from having bad parents honestly.. A lack of respect and entitlement

[@c-meezy765]

Are you a parent with adult children?

[@thuggwaffle8825]

@@c-meezy765 no because I’m 22 and not emotionally mature enough to ensure my kid will be raised perfectly.. But a lot of parents don’t care about that or conceive accidentally

[@amycollins174]

9 people in the room with a young guy = Ben “bust” simmons

[@Mike-qm7ry]

Microcosm of Society. Ain't no Vets in the hood either. 😒

[@larrycohen5553]

YET they just traded a good vet for Cam and a late 1st. lol

[@ralfiem.2823]

Lebrons a vet , n he impacts lakers all around

[@maxton-_-4243]

Rockets are the worst team in the league for so many reasons

[@The_K-Dude]

I feel like people like Redick and Perkins could still be playing in the NBA today but I don't know for sure because I don't have their bodies

[@JimWelniak]

This is why the Bucks are the best team.

[@wwffigurefed7130]

Nba needs more vet players

[@idc20627]

hoop for rings > hoop for money/fame/status WHEN YOU GET RINGS THE REST GONNA COME!

[@nitoshadow]

Never was a fan of choosing young players/draft picks over established good players

[@gwang-mu9251]

And how's that the NBA's fault? That's purely Gen Z and millennial culture.

[@roderickcrawford3675]

This is what worries me about the young Orlando Magic. No real “Vet” presence.

[@ajm.5160]

Dame Right, NBA starting to get Gimmicky with how they inflate guys.

[@Mike-xz9dg]

Old man yells at cloud

[@sorenwestwood1514]

what if NBA teams were given a designated "OG Vet" roster spot? Roster spot with minimum contract for a player with 13+ years of experience?

[@DonPablo111]

Overunder on how many pounds steph's bodyguard was. I set it at 253.5.

[@arun_is_too_common]

I call under but that's such a specific amount

[@caamp6192]

Def 248.3

[@shaundrahammond3282]

My guess is Rob Riggle. No one would suspect him and the dude saw combat in Kosovo.

[@Nerdificationing]

Remember- Damian, Steph, Lebron are all good VETS now... not sure how there is a lack of vets

[@axucaroso]

Instead of lowering the draft age maybe the league needs a Udonis Haslem slot on every team, doesn't count against the cap, maybe the veterans minimum plus prorated for years of service, so teams can really groom players to be professionals. Coaching staffs are crunching numbers, the networks are pimping for the gambling books, journalists are chasing clout, but nobody is TEACHING.

[@박상욱-t8x]

'Do you love basketball? or Do you just love what basketball gives you' ← that's the phrase of this video lol

[@rzawistowski33]

He's right exactly why UD gets the green light to stay on Miami roster as long as he wants. Same reason Miami can make playoff runs with so many undrafted players.