The NBA is the most talented league in the world. When it comes to basketball, there’s no better group of players in the world. That being said, not everyone can be an All-Star. And according to Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan, not everyone in the NBA deserves to be there.
During a May 15 appearance on Podcast P with Paul George, the two stars discussed the outlook of the NBA. DeRozan and George were drafted in 2009 and 2010, respectively, and grew up in a different era of the league. Now, the NBA is younger than ever, and DeRozan doesn’t think every player is built the same.
In fact, he went as far as saying that some players simply aren’t good enough to have a roster spot in the NBA.
“We do got a lot of sorry [expletives] in the league,” said DeRozan.
DeRozan added to his sentiment, emphasizing that too many players around the league don’t truly love the game of basketball. Instead, they feel entitled to their spot.
“I’m the type of dude, I keep my opinions to myself, I chill, I play the backseat, but being in the league for so long, you realize how many [expletives] don’t love the game of basketball, who take it for granted, who feel so entitled, who just want everything that comes with it but don’t want to put the work in,” said DeRozan.”
Both DeRozan and George had to work their way up the grapevine to earn their stardom. DeRozan emerged as a potential star in his second year with the Toronto Raptors, grinding away until his first All-Star appearance five seasons into his career. Meanwhile, George made the All-Star team in his third season, but that was after two years of working for every opportunity he got.
Nowadays, DeRozan sees too many players who think they’re better than they actually are.
“It’s so frustrating,” said DeRozan. “We played in an era where we had to earn everything. So you got so many guys coming in thinking like they should just be playing because their homeboy told them they was nice. And it’s like, ‘Bro, you not good.'”
In most situations, the NBA simply prioritizes youth. There will always be a market for young players with potential as teams look to find the next big star. Unfortunately, that will also lead to some “sorry MFs” in the bunch.
