NBA Legends and former teammates Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller welcomed four-time NBA champion and legend John Salley to the "OGs Show" podcast.
In this discussion, Salley shares insights from his remarkable career, explores the mindsets of NBA greats, and reveals his favorite and least favorite aspects of Miami.
A front-row seat to the former NBA greats
Salley, known by the nickname "Spider," may not have been the emblem of a franchise, yet he had the privilege of witnessing some of the greatest basketball talents to ever play the game. As a dependable big man known for his impressive wingspan and basketball intelligence, Salley established a commendable career in the NBA, securing four championship titles with three of the league's most prestigious teams: the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, and the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
Recently, the 6-foot-11 center appeared on an episode of "The OGs Show." During the discussion with Haslem and Miller, Salley shared insights from his position of firsthand experience on the qualities required for greatness, and what it was like to share the court with former teammates Isiah Thomas, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant.
He reflected on how observing the most intense competitors in the sport of basketball made him realize that those legendary players are inherently distinct in the exceptional qualities they possess, setting them apart from today's current NBA All-Stars.
“Isiah wanted you dead, Michael wanted you dead, and Kobe wanted you dead,” Salley said. “And wanted to resurrect you and kill you again.”
The mentality of NBA players has evolved
The NBA has undergone substantial changes, evolving dramatically over the past decade, and even more so over the last 30 years. A prominent criticism of the current era revolves around the mindset of the players. Many fans celebrate the fierce competitive spirit that defined earlier eras. The blend of physicality, determination, and ambition resulted in thrilling matchups. Those people who are nostalgic for those years also tend to believe that modern players are overly amicable and exhibit excessive camaraderie with their rivals.
It is well-known that athletes from earlier generations have much to express regarding the current state of the game. They often criticize the modern tendency to rely heavily on outside shooting and the diminished physicality that characterized the 1980s and 1990s. Many former legends publicly voice their opinions about contemporary superstars. A particularly contentious issue is that of load management.
Today's elite players frequently take time off for "rest," a concept that many past greats find almost absurd. For them, enduring the rigors of the game was an essential part of their role, and unless one was physically unable to play, they were prepared to compete. Back then, elite players rarely took breaks. They traveled on commercial flights and frequently faced back-to-back games.
This is where Salley has an issue with today's players.
“The real difference, guys take days off now," Salley said. "Michael was talking smack about Horace (Grant), ‘Man, he only plays 65 games a year, of course he’s gonna be fresh.’ There is no way you were gonna get Kobe not to play a game, Michael not to play a game, or Isiah. They’ve not given up these minutes. So when I see guys talk about load, I don’t understand. Because when I first got into the league, we flew commercial. Can you imagine? They loved the game so much that they were not going to take a day off.”
The main difference between the eras? No days off 😤 pic.twitter.com/M0DciqcjMx
— The OGs Show (@theOGsShow) April 8, 2025
Salley does not dispute the talent of today’s players; in fact, he acknowledges the advancements in athleticism, skill, and offensive creativity. However, he perceives a significant shift in mindset. In the past, NBA players would arrive on the court, often injured, yet still give their all.
It's perplexing to Salley that current NBA players have access to superior resources compared to those in his era, including advanced recovery technology, nutritionists, personal trainers, and various tools designed to maintain optimal physical condition.
The four-time champion not only highlights the differences in mindset but also points out the challenges faced by players. While today's athletes enjoy more privileges than their predecessors, which is not inherently negative, it may foster a sense of complacency.
Given these advantages, one would anticipate a stronger dedication to enduring the challenges of the game. Nevertheless, some players frequently choose to remain on the sidelines, a phenomenon that Salley finds difficult to comprehend.
For Thomas, the only barrier to playing was a severe cut on his eye. Michael Jordan was known for his reluctance to take a day off, and Kobe Bryant had to sustain a significant injury to be forced out of action.
Salley does not anticipate that players will entirely overlook their opponents, but he urges them to restore a sense of intensity. While it may sound nostalgic, it seems that elite superstars were simply built differently back in the day.