Each year, the NBA welcomes a new wave of young players, many of whom dream of becoming the league’s next superstar. However, the generational divide within locker rooms is becoming increasingly evident. Sacramento Kings veteran DeMar DeRozan recently voiced his frustrations with this new breed of players, calling out their approach to the game.
DeRozan, now a respected elder statesman in the league, shared his candid thoughts during a conversation with Carmelo Anthony on the 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast. The discussion turned when Anthony mentioned a story from Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, who recalled a player posting his own highlights on social media while the team trailed by 18 points at halftime.
“This generation? Man, dudes are glued to their phones, so worried about what someone else is saying,” DeRozan said. “I’ve seen guys search their own names on Twitter just to see what people are saying. And I’m like, this is where we’re at now? That never even crossed our minds back in the day.”
He added, “People ask me all the time, ‘Can you play another four or five years?’ But that part of the game—this social media obsession—it drains your energy.”
DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of their preseason game at Chase Center on October 11, 2024 in San Francisco, California.
DeRozan pointed to the psychological weight social media puts on younger players. He noted that many are more concerned with public perception than their own self-confidence, and it’s affecting their mental preparation before games.
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“Everybody is so focused on everything but basketball now,” he said. “It used to be about your game, about competing, about winning, about giving everything you had. Now it’s like, ‘What am I wearing?’ Guys are in the mirror fixing this, exfoliating, doing this and that. It’s all about the wrong things.”
The evolution of basketball has created two versions of the modern era: the way the game is played, and the way it is consumed. While players generally appreciate the shift toward spacing and one-on-one play, the increased role of social and traditional media is not always welcomed—especially when it shifts focus away from performance.
DeRozan has earned six All-Star selections during his career and now enters his 17th NBA season. Over that span, he has experienced a variety of team cultures and expectations. He has played for four franchises, including the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, and now the Sacramento Kings.
Across his career, DeRozan has averaged 21.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, consistently proving his value on the floor—even as the off-court environment continues to evolve.
