“We Were More Hard-Working”: Paul George Takes Aim at NBA Rookies, as Bronny James, Alex Sarr & Others Enter the Scene

It’s no surprise anymore, the new generation is taking over the NBA. Rookies and ravishing young players such as Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards, and Jayson Tatum have become the biggest league attractions. They have flair, charisma, and unrivaled confidence in their abilities. The momentum was bound to shift, and it finally has. But would it have been possible for past rookies to do the same? Could we have seen Paul George ascend to the top of the Indiana Pacers just from his college resume alone?

During the latest episode of Podcast P, Trey Murphy III, a rising star from the Pelicans, was posed with the question of what had changed from rookies in the past to the modern day. He said, “I would say attitude. Obviously, I can’t speak exactly for rookies back then, but I feel like we have a certain flair to us and a certain level of like we really want to show our work. As you can see with ANT”.

“Obviously, he is not a rookie but he is a young guy and you saw him play all series. He is talking to KD like ‘I’m here. This is my time. I understand you are one of my favorite players but this is my time,'” Murphy said.

Edwards is probably the apex predator among all the modern-day NBA players. His zeal and vigor for competing is unmatched. He is also equally meticulous about his game outside of the NBA and is constantly striving to get better. George, too, somewhat agreed with Murphy’s notion. “Obviously, players now are a lot more talented. Naturally gifted from just when I came in the league,” PG13 admitted. However, he felt there is a difference in the way rookies are treated today that enables them to assume responsibility.

“We were more hardworking in terms of like I think kids now don’t really know how to handle not being ‘the guy’ necessarily right or get an opportunity might away. When we came in the league that was the expectation that you have to work you a** off to try and get a spot to play. That’s just what it was.”

“You wasn’t complaining about like not playing. That’s just how coaches were. Old school coaches wasn’t playing rookies. You knew that,” Paul George concluded while highlighting the difference between past and present rookies.

So now, have a look at the 2024 draft class. Players such as Alex Sarr and Bronny James have such a strong buzz around them that it eclipses many NBA players who have made their place in the league. Even though the latter is a second-round pick and an unproven prospect, he might just get preference over an NBA veteran who has translated his skills to the NBA for years!

The NBA’s evolution- From PG13 to Wemby

The NBA was a lot different back when George was playing. There were no NIL deals that let college athletes become millionaires before stepping into the NBA. Paul George didn’t have social media to bolster his profile and market his brand. All that mattered at that time was the impact you had on the game. But even great college players sometimes never had gotten an instant chance.

Let’s take the case of George alone. There was an incessant need to fight for the roster spot. Nothing was handed out. In his rookie season, the two-way forward only played 20.7 minutes per game. He only started 19 games in the 61 times he appeared.

That was how seniority was valued. If anything, rookies back then had more of a hunger to prove themselves and it mattered more, since a roster spot wasn’t guaranteed.

Today, due to the marketability changes and how college athletes are compensated, coaches are compelled to start rookies because of their popularity before making it to the league- Wemby is a great case. He didn’t come off the bench once in his first year in San Antonio. With him, it is very well justified though, since he is a generational prospect with international acclaim.

However, in the modern NBA, the majority of lottery picks are expected to instantly start and turn around franchises. They are also handed such responsibility from the offset. But for George, who was the 10th pick, he had to earn his stripes to even be worthy.

But as PG13 said himself, the skillset and mastery over the game have vastly improved in college players.

They enter the league better polished and prepared for the NBA than rookies did in the past. Hence, at the end of the day, it’s still an equal balance. While before you didn’t earn a rotation spot, it’s much harder to even make it to the NBA today due to the grading system followed in college.

Before leaving, be sure to check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about the Lakers legend’s infamous feud with the late Kobe Bryant.