Draymond: “European players have not caught the same flak of winning a championship as US players

[blueNorange]

not that he's talking about a player in particular but doesn't jokic get crap for winning the mvp back to back despite not being able to go deep into the playoffs?

[WillyJakkz]

Maybe because a Canadian-American created the sport in America and it's been predominantly American players who have dominated the sport.

This guy looking for Euro scapegoats now?

[maxpower8888]

Here is the full quote since this trash twitter account is always looking for click bait

"I saw a list today that Stephen A. put out," Green said. "It was like players under the most pressure to win a championship. I think James Harden was one, Jayson Tatum was 2. CP was 3, Joker was 4, and Luka wasn't even on the list. I feel like, over the years, European players has not caught the same flak for not winning a championship as US players have and I don't understand that."

I mean, this is all based on a list made by Stephen **** A Smith. Who gives a **** if his arbitrary list didn't include Luka?

Historically there have been less European star players capable of being the man on a Championship team than American players. Dirk might have been the first one. Giannis has his title, so no more pressure, then there's Luka who just turned 24 a few days ago, and Jokic who's had an injured team around him for the past two years.

[G R E Y]

Well first all those players listed have been in the league way longer than Luka. Tatum only a year more but he's already been to the finals and has a way better team around him.

Next, as others have mentioned, Dirk, Giannis, and even Luka with all the out of shape commentary have and are getting their fair share of criticism that builds over time.

But the Euro players also don't court or spout the "I'm the greatest!" narrative nearly as much. Giannis talks about being the best player he can be, but he has a different POV about life and has acknowledged other players as best in the league.

But now you've got guys coming into the league saying oh LBJ has to prove to me he's the best, I want to be the best player, etc. It's just a different mentality.

In general, Euros have better fundamentals and more of a team mentality.

Luka's already said he won't be playing long enough to break the new scoring title, for instance.

If you go around saying King or Great One or whatever and then put together Super Friends teams, sure you'll get more criticism.

It's a silly thing to say about Luka and then extend it to Euros in general given the timelines of the players listed and the approach of players coming into and during their time in the league.

[Wolfgang630]

Who the hell are we talking about? There’s barely been any European superstars in the history of the sport.

Dirk got to the 2006 Finals. Then won mvp and lost to an 8 seed. He got all the flak I’m the world. He was called soft and a choke artist.

Luka is young and been in the nba for like 4 seasons? Usually young superstars really get flak by year 6 or 7 or when the actually have a great team.

[BoatsNZones]

Even if thats what he means. Whats wrong with that?

I don't think it's accurate.

Well if we talking about players like Jokic. He does not have the expectations and pressure of winning championships like the Brons, Kds of the world

He's a 2nd round pick who had his 2nd best player injured/missing the prior two playoffs (the years that he was named MVP and expectations were actually levied on him as an individual talent). I definitely don't consider the Nuggets title favorites, but he will receive a load of criticism if they don't at least make the WCF's again this season, and MANY will use it as an opportunity to bash him if they don't win it all (even if he's fantastic as he has always been in the playoffs... something we can't say for the likes of KD when he had injured co-stars). The bubble season they outperformed expectations taking out the Clippers as underdogs to reach the WCF before losing to the champions.

But with KD teaming up on the Suns and the Bucks/Sixers/Celtics in the East all having high expectations, I don't think actual reasonable fans of the sport think they should be favorites despite Jokic being at worst a top 3 player in the league. Still, again, this is the first year actual criticism would be reasonable.

People like to throw out all these blanket narratives without actually thinking about each season individually.

[NBA4Lyfe]

I don't think it's accurate.

Well if we talking about players like Jokic. He does not have the expectations and pressure of winning championships like the Brons, Kds of the world

Yes because Jokic has been chilling in denver not creating a "super team"

KD and Bron are the poster childs of "super team"

Super teams come with expectations.

When the team fails to meet expectations the team receives criticism.

Seems pretty straightforward.

Green has a big mouth and says dumb things.

I think draymond is talking about players like James harden when he was in houston and the pressure he had to win a championship put on him by the media every year. Harden unlike dame eventually gave into the pressure and joined a superteam

[CelticSooner]

Dirk got a lot of flack until he won in 2011. Funny how the narrative changes. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he was seen as a soft Euro jump-shooting big that couldn't get it done when it mattered.

[Tracymcgoaty]

Over the years...Who the hell else would it be other than Jokic? Giannis already won. Maybe he means Luka as well but it's too early and he's never played on a legitimate contending team.

[JonFromVA]

Basically when a player wins an MVP there are expectations that he should be carrying his team to a championship.

That's presumably why expectations were raised for Dirk, and it's why expectations have been on the rise for Jokic, and if Embiid can ever stay healthy they should be pretty high for him too because he's been playing at an MVP level.

But beyond that ... maybe Draymond should have a talk with Screamin A Smith about his list? It's not like there's a consensus on this kind of stuff.

[Mickey8]

Draymond Green is over glorified triple single player. If he wasn't in Golden State he would have been out of the league long time ago.

[skones]

Stupid thing to say, but I DO think Jokic gets a lot less flak than Giannis did and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Giannis was more or less discounted from winning the 20-21 MVP because of his playoff failures while folks are ready to anoint Jokic for the third time and ignore his lack of success.

[Nate505]

Here is the full quote since this trash twitter account is always looking for click bait

"I saw a list today that Stephen A. put out," Green said. "It was like players under the most pressure to win a championship. I think James Harden was one, Jayson Tatum was 2. CP was 3, Joker was 4, and Luka wasn't even on the list. I feel like, over the years, European players has not caught the same flak for not winning a championship as US players have and I don't understand that."

Tatum on the list is weird because he's still young and he's not so good that it would be considered a disappointment if he doesn't win one. Harden and CP are obvious, they might have one or two more runs in them. Jokic will shoot to #1 if he wins a 3rd MVP and doesn't win a title, but he rightfully has gotten a pass for not winning with crappy rosters the past 2 postseasons

Yup, completely disagree with Tatum being on the list as well.

[Richard Miller]

They also don't get celebrated or promoted nearly as much. That's an issue with the mainstream media in the US that would prefer to avoid having to talk about Euro players on a day to day basis. Gotta take the good with the bad Draymond.

This. Jokic had to post historic numbers just to occasionally appear on the ESPN page while for Lebron or KD or Steph etc. it's like their home away from home

[HanzGruber]

who could he even be talking about besides jokic.. giannis already won one, theres not many eu superstars

[Dubnation]

I don't think it's accurate.

Well if we talking about players like Jokic. He does not have the expectations and pressure of winning championships like the Brons, Kds of the world

Because his team is nowhere near theirs in their glory days and even now for KD. Why is it so hard to comprehend that?

At the very least, that take is subjective. Many think otherwise.

[HanzGruber]

Who the hell are we talking about? There’s barely been any European superstars in the history of the sport.

Dirk got to the 2006 Finals. Then won mvp and lost to an 8 seed. He got all the flak I’m the world. He was called soft and a choke artist.

Luka is young and been in the nba for like 4 seasons? Usually young superstars really get flak by year 6 or 7 or when the actually have a great team.

has to be jokic, a soon to be 3 time mvp but no titles

[Dubnation]

Even if thats what he means. Whats wrong with that?

I don't think it's accurate.

Well if we talking about players like Jokic. He does not have the expectations and pressure of winning championships like the Brons, Kds of the world

.. then the question would be why not?

[Zombiesonics]

just an embarrassing take. He is old enough to have watched and heard coverage of dirk, heck does he not remember pau being labeled soft incessantly? he really is the heir apparent to perkins as far as trash useless click baity takes.

[Genjuro]

Stupid thing to say, but I DO think Jokic gets a lot less flak than Giannis did and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Giannis was more or less discounted from winning the 20-21 MVP because of his playoff failures while folks are ready to anoint Jokic for the third time and ignore his lack of success.

It makes sense if you take a look at the context. Like Campazzo and Rivers being your starting backcourt.

Anyway, people were similarly ready to dismiss Jokic's chances to win this season. But it's hard to ignore his otherworldly playing level. Had Giannis deserved the award in 2021 (which he clearly didn't), the narrative would've most likely shifted, just as it has happened with Jokic this year.