NBA fans have witnessed numerous dominant players throughout the league’s history. Former players gave their all to engage more fans with the NBA, which allowed newer generations to make a significant impact on the court and be remembered. However, Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas believes that some players today are inadvertently closing the door on the next generation.
Thomas recently appeared on The Mark Jackson Show, where he discussed today’s game and the issue of teams relying too heavily on three-point shots. During the conversation, he was asked about the NBA offering financial incentives to the players.
“I want the players to make as much money as they possibly can. My worry about today’s players is not understanding the importance of, ‘Hey, you got to keep the door open for the next generation. There’s a certain authenticity that you bring to the floor every night to make sure that the golden goose that we got, that we live on, you’re protecting it for the next generation. What I see now, not all but some, they not thinking about the next generation.” Thomas said.
Former NBA players earned lower average salaries compared to current NBA players. The earlier stars dedicated themselves to engaging more fans with the NBA, which contributed to the increased salaries of today’s players. Thomas believes that current NBA players are not doing as much to support the next generation.
Isiah Thomas Urges NBA Players To Care About The Next Generation
Michael Jordan, the legendary player of the Chicago Bulls, had a major impact on the global popularity of basketball and the NBA during the 1980s and 1990s. Thomas emphasized that NBA players should strive to emulate this influence and work to enhance fan engagement with the league.
“They only think about what’s good for them right now. Now, the money is good, and I want them all to make more money. But I also want them to protect the golden goose and come to the game and come to the arena, and let people know that, ‘Hey, we got a real good thing here and we want to keep it going,'” Thomas said.
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Thomas frequently appears on various podcasts and shows to share his insights on different topics. Recently, he sparked debate by stating that the Bulls could have won championships even without Jordan. Thomas spent his entire professional career with the Detroit Pistons in the NBA.
Also Read: Isiah Thomas Gives Reality Check To Gilbert Arenas After He Glorifies Individual Stats
