"There's not enough deference to those who paved the way" - Stephen A. Smith explains what causes the divide between NBA generations
Michael Jordan recently shared his take on the unrelenting GOAT (Greatest of All Time) conversation, asserting that the mythical title doesn't matter to him at all , especially since vying for and claiming it would disrespect the icons and pioneers who built the foundation of the NBA.
On "First Take," ESPN ace Stephen A. Smith also emphasized the importance of respecting those who paved the way for the current generation of players in the league. He says their lack of deference to the stars of yesteryear has created a breeding ground for resentment that has festered over the years.
Respect for those who paved the way
What is often lost in the frenzied pursuit of greatness is how no superstar ever stands on a pedestal on his own merit; rather, he is built upon the foundations of those who came before him. From Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson, Larry Bird to Bill Russell, these legends paved the way for today's athletes to play at the highest level.
MJ said as much on the latest installment of his "Insights to Excellence," saying, "To me that's the beauty of the game of basketball — that a player after a previous player has evolved the game further."
Despite his lofty standing, SAS praised His Airness for still taking the time to mention the players he looked up to as he made his way to the NBA, never forgetting the impact they had on him and on others inspired by their journeys.
"He says something very, very interesting. Respect to those who paved the way. Before Dr. J, there was Connie Hawkins. Before Michael Jordan, there was Dr. J. Before Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant, there was Michael Jordan. You see what I'm saying?" Smith uttered . "So when you have people who set the stage, credit where credit is due."
A lack of deference causes a generation gap
Smith discussed what he thinks is causing the divide between various generations: a lack of acknowledgement and deference.
"The real problem with today's generation is that there's not enough deference to those who paved the way for them. I'm not saying they don't feel it. I'm saying they don't articulate it enough," the loquacious broadcaster and journalist uttered. "It's like a pass-by statement. You mention somebody and you show respect, but it's not enough reverence."
"You see cats today playing and there's not enough deference. That's where the resentment comes in. It's not that you don't appreciate today's players. It's that they don't show enough appreciation for what you did and how you paved the way," he continued. "Not just in terms of the basketball court, but the monetary benefits that have come with it — that you stood on the shoulders of other people in order to pull that off."
For every Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who are making their mark in today's era, there were players like Gail Goodrich and Bob McAdoo who paved the way for their success. But over time, the legacy of these past greats can often be forgotten. MJ said this is what causes animosity between players from different generations.
"I think it creates animosity. I have no animosity against today's players, but you do have certain players that do have animosity because of the forgottenness of what their contribution has been to the game of basketball," Jordan stated .
The NBA is an endless carousel with players coming in and out of the league at a dizzying pace. However, fans, players and the media must always keep in mind that just because some players have hopped off the ride, it doesn't mean their impact and contributions to the game should also be discarded.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
