Kendrick Perkins & Steve Nash Highlight Problems Facing American Athletes with ‘Face of NBA’ In Jeopardy

Kendrick Perkins has been vocal about the ongoing problem facing American NBA stars and how it could impact the game in the long run.

Kendrick Perkins & Steve Nash Highlight Problems Facing American Athletes with ‘Face of NBA’ In Jeopardy

Kendrick Perkins and Steve Nash (Image via FirstSportz)

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As the NBA season continues to reveal the great from the good players, the likes of Kendrick Perkins and Steve Nash have been watching how the league has been turning to a point where American players are no longer the standard.

Apart from the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, all of whom are 37 or older, the next best names are all non-Americans.

The league tried to market some younger stars, such as Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and Anthony Edwards, as the future of the sport. Only the latter emerged as the only name that can be considered to become the next ‘Face of the NBA’.

Injuries and off-court issues have complicated matters, as more and more international players hog the limelight. With the game moving away from American athletes, Kendrick Perkins said this on the Road Trippin’ Show:

3 years ago, we was just talking about Ja Morant being the face of the league. And we say, ‘Oh, hey man, these Europeans guys are coming in and taking over our league.’…They’re not only taking over our league and setting an example on the floor, but also off the floor.

Kendrick Perkins said

The former NBA champion believes that the Europeans, with their absolute lack of off-court drama, are eventually drawing all the attention not just from fans, but also from teams.

On the other hand, American athletes, with their off-court issues, are being pushed away from the limelight, making it harder for them to become a superstar that the country’s fans can look up to.

Steve Nash uses fundamentals to explain how American athletes are losing the plot in the NBA

While Kendrick Perkins’ opinion leaned on the off-court intangibles of where American athletes are losing the plot, Steve Nash explained in detail where it has gone wrong on the court.

Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic are two of the best players in the NBA
Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic are two of the best players in the NBA (Image via Hoops Mix/X)

It’s pay-to-play in the States. Capitalism is wonderful, not great for player development. In Europe, the playing is free… There’s no hidden motives, and we have to win, or the kid is leaving for the next club…. Here, it’s just been totally commercialized.

Steve Nash said on Prime Video

The two-time league MVP reiterated that he was not trying to take away anyone’s job, but stressed that extreme capitalism has led to a situation where young prospects are not getting the development they need.

He detailed that in Europe, players have to continuously learn under one coach or a system. On the other hand, the Americans are being forced to pay for the best trainer or join the program that gives the best NIL deals.

Either way, it is hindering them from gaining long-term development, which is where their European counterparts are currently at an advantage.

17-year NBA veteran adds to Steve Nash’s opinion

Steve Nash seemingly did not want to ruffle any feathers when it came to American coaches, but 17-year NBA veteran Eddie Johnson was not so subtle.

Steve is exactly right and because of it. We have these wanna be coaches teaching the wrong way at the grass roots level, chasing their payday!

Eddie A Johnson wrote on X

Not only did he back up whatever Steve Nash said, but he also took a swipe at coaches and trainers who are teaching young American prospects highlight-reel-worthy moves instead of teaching them the fundamentals that are needed.

There are concerns about how USA Basketball will fare at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. They may have strength in numbers, but if someone like Canada, France, or Germany takes the necessary leap, those who still believe American athletes are well off might want to reconsider their opinions.

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