Former NBA guard Nate Robinson shared his perspective on how the league has changed for young players during an interview with Sam Yip of HoopsHype. He highlighted a shift in priorities from respect to financial gain.
“See, when I was a kid growing up, I wanted to make it to the league. It wasn’t about the money,” Robinson said. “The money comes with making it to the league. Now, for young kids, it’s all about the bag. It’s not about earning respect from your peers who played before you.”
Robinson reflected on the influence of legendary players during his development. “I wanted Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson. I wanted them to respect the game I brought and the way I played,” he said.
He criticized younger players for overlooking the importance of respect and the legacy of those who came before them. “These young cats fell off that. They lost that, they don’t care. They think they’re just as good as the guys before them,” Robinson added.
According to Robinson, respect for the game once came through dedication and performance rather than money. “I played for the appreciation and love from the players before me. That was a big thing… I wanted them to respect my game,” he explained.
He noted that financial rewards today often overshadow the actual quality of play. “You’re making a lot of money, but your game doesn’t equate to what you’re being paid. You’re not playing like the GOATs and the guys before you,” Robinson said.
