Kenny Smith lays the smack down in interview on critics of his NBA generation.

[ballzboyee]

Kenny Smith was on the Mark Jackson Show and he did not hold back. We've heard Kenny discuss freedom of movement and new era hyperinflated statistics in the past, but in this interview he basically says that new media and this generation of ballers are basically delusional and nothing but coattail riders.

A few of his points: 1) This generation is not more athletic. Today's ballers just look more athletic because of the rules. He points out that there are a lot of 2nd generation legacy athletes in the league, and the dad's from his generation were more athletic. He cites Larry Nance and Larry Nance, Jr. as an example of this. 2) Old school didn't start the generation debate. Old school mainly complained about the salary explosion because they were jealous, but the new school responded by saying that they deserve more money because they are more talented. Old school players are offended by this. 3) Players of his era could do everything that players today are doing, but because of the rules they had to keep it on the playground. The way players perform today wasn't considered serious basketball in his day because you could shut it down with physical defense. Kenny retorted and emphatically stated these same players getting paid millions more wouldn't even start on some of his teams with these playground antics. They are mediocre -- his exact words. "Mediocre."

Not going to spoil the whole interview, but he really goes after some of these so-called evolutionary narratives of bigger, faster, stronger which attempt undermine the credibility of the players of his era. The whole interview is good, but the real stuff starts at 16m or so.

Watch on YouTube

[Blazing_royale]

Old man yelling cloud

[jerok]

its like old ppl telling you to get off their lawns.

oldies criticize new gen so much, but can't take it when its the other way around.

[dautjazz]

Meh, I'm 40, and I started watching the NBA in 1994 or 1995, and I can assure you the players are more athletic now. This is definitely an old man yelling at cloud moment.

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[SHAQ32]

Kobe himself said this era is dumber

[The Explorer]

The big difference in the eras is how players approach the game. Back then, players took the game as a job they were paid to do. Now, players are entitled and handed their roles and massive contracts without earning them. Winning is a low priority. Getting the right stats so you can your bag is the priority.

[lakerz12]

This generation is probably more “athletic” but also more mentally weak and stupid from being pampered their whole lives and never reading a book.

[thelead]

Meh, I'm 40, and I started watching the NBA in 1994 or 1995, and I can assure you the players are more athletic now. This is definitely an old man yelling at cloud moment.

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Are we saying humans have evolved physically in the last 30 years? I will grant today's players better training/science but the top guys of the 90's were just as athletic. Teams are just shorter and thinner due to play style where speed is valued more than strength IMO.

[Fadeaway_Jumper]

He’s 100% right. As soon as the refs got their mandate from the league to swallow their whistle more the ppg dropped by like 15

[LuDux1]

2) Old school didn't start the generation debate

Watch on YouTube

[LuckyLeprechaun]

Meh, I'm 40, and I started watching the NBA in 1994 or 1995, and I can assure you the players are more athletic now. This is definitely an old man yelling at cloud moment.

Sent from my SM-S921U using RealGM mobile app

Are we saying humans have evolved physically in the last 30 years? I will grant today's players better training/science but the top guys of the 90's were just as athletic. Teams are just shorter and thinner due to play style where speed is valued more than strength IMO.

Humans haven't changed but there are more humans to choose from. BBall wasn't nearly as big internationally back in the day and human population was smaller. If someone had to be a 1 in a million athlete to make the NBA back then they have to be 1 in 10 million now.

[Bergmaniac]

This generation is probably more “athletic” but also more mentally weak and stupid from being pampered their whole lives and never reading a book.

Because the previous generations of NBA players were known for their love of book reading?

[Damas]

Old man complaining and bitching about the younger generation. What a joke Kenny Smith has become.

This generation is probably more “athletic” but also more mentally weak and stupid from being pampered their whole lives and never reading a book.

As compared to the previous generations? You don't want to open that can of worms of the idiots that played in the league decades ago. Stop talking nonsense.

[LuDux1]

This generation is probably more “athletic” but also more mentally weak and stupid from being pampered their whole lives and never reading a book.

Because the previous generations of NBA players were known for their love of book reading?

Nance Sr have read more books that Nance JR. Prove me wrong

Also

[chicago paxsons]

its like old ppl telling you to get off their lawns.

oldies criticize new gen so much, but can't take it when its the other way around.

Older or younger generation, it doesn't matter. Every generation behaves this way, and always have. People want to say their group, whatever the particular criteria, is superior and can't handle when they're confronted with differing opinions.

[thelead]

Meh, I'm 40, and I started watching the NBA in 1994 or 1995, and I can assure you the players are more athletic now. This is definitely an old man yelling at cloud moment.

Sent from my SM-S921U using RealGM mobile app

Are we saying humans have evolved physically in the last 30 years? I will grant today's players better training/science but the top guys of the 90's were just as athletic. Teams are just shorter and thinner due to play style where speed is valued more than strength IMO.

Humans haven't changed but there are more humans to choose from. BBall wasn't nearly as big internationally back in the day and human population was smaller. If someone had to be a 1 in a million athlete to make the NBA back then they have to be 1 in 10 million now.

1994 world population: 5.6 billion
2024 world population: 8.0 billion

1994 world population: 263 million
2024 US population: 336 million

Not exactly a 10x jump in population but I get your point. I think the type of athletes has more to do with rules and style changes.

You need speed to keep up with this crap these days:

Watch on YouTube

[BigGargamel]

Old man complaining and bitching about the younger generation. What a joke Kenny Smith has become.

This generation is probably more “athletic” but also more mentally weak and stupid from being pampered their whole lives and never reading a book.

As compared to the previous generations? You don't want to open that can of worms of the idiots that played in the league decades ago. Stop talking nonsense.

Half of the players from the 70's or 80's did so much coke it ruined their careers (or worse). NBA players always been idiots.

[Pantsman]

The long 2 generation has no room to talk about playing smart.

[Bergmaniac]

He’s 100% right. As soon as the refs got their mandate from the league to swallow their whistle more the ppg dropped by like 15

"Dropped by like 15 points", LMAO, it was actually 2.1 points.

[KembaWalker]

I’ve never really understood the more athletic thing, at least in terms of explosion and speed this has to be the least athletic generation I’ve ever seen. Amongst the top players Giannis is an elite, Embiid is a solid athlete but nothing revolutionary like Bron or Shaq. And even the guys that are super athletes are all brittle nowadays. It’s a skill league now