In a press conference centered around his Formula Zero Camp, Portland star Damian Lillard spoke candidly about all kinds of different topics. Among the more interesting bits of dialogue came after being asked about the current culture surrounding youth basketball.
Speaking to the media, Dame didn’t hold back when detailing his issues and explained how he’s actively trying to combat the mindset some of these young kids are carrying with them to adulthood.
“All of these people hanging onto them and kissing they a** and putting them in a position where they feel entitled and they mentality is messed up a bit about what it’s going to be and having to earn stuff and having to work and taking criticism and listening and being coachable and stuff like that.”
He then went on to explain how this mindset can hold these young players back from achieving their goals.
“It puts them in a position to where those things, it lets them down when they get to a professional environment and they talent can’t get them though. You got to be stable and strong mentally. You got to be sturdy. You got to have something that you can stand on because it gets tough. I want to help these kids that they ranked, they got all these followers on Instagram, but I wanna help them have the stuff that is not just a talent.”
Damian Lillard had a lot to say today regarding the current culture around young basketball players and yes men.
He says his Formula Zero Camp is about teaching kids how to have the characteristics beyond talent in order to survive and stick in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/8WfiacLqwg
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) August 5, 2022
Lillard isn’t your typical NBA superstar. While his peers go out and join superteams and cause drama, he’s focused on bringing a title to Portland, helping the community, and setting the next generation of ballers on the right path.
Really, Dame is as good as it gets when it comes to having the right approach and mindset. It’s good to hear that he’s passing that on.
