Jan 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (left) talks with Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (right) after the game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Draymond Green Reacts to Viral LeBron James Statement

Originally posted on Golden State Warriors on SI
By Logan Struck | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 11:34 AM ET

Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward LeBron James has cemented himself as one of the greatest NBA players of all time, doing so through 22 years of dominance. However, James claims that he did not have a basketball trainer until he was a few years into his NBA career, which is a shock compared to how young basketball players approach the game now.

"I didn't have a 'basketball trainer' until second, third, maybe fourth year in the NBA," James said on his Mind the Game podcast. "My basketball training was just being on the court. Let's just go hoop."

Kids don't need basketball trainers, they need to get outside and play.

Tune into Pt. 1 of Luka's special episode: https://t.co/feX8eUUnvm pic.twitter.com/KPIqw3YEzp
— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) June 1, 2025

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green recently responded to James' take on the need for basketball trainers on his own podcast, The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.

"LeBron discusses how the next generation are relying more on basketball trainers instead of just playing the game, and I agree with that. I didn't learn how to do a proper individual workout until I got to college," Green said.

"Basketball used to be a poor man's game… now it's a rich kid game... There's no imagination. Everybody's doing the same thing. And I think a lot of that is due sometimes to having trainers."@Money23Green reflects on what LeBron said about youth trainers vs. real hoopers — and… pic.twitter.com/juVD2mVma6
— The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis (@DraymondShow) June 10, 2025

"Growing up, I'm going to hoop. 'Where is the nearest run? Drop me off I'll play all day.' The nuances and things you figure out about the game, it's different when somebody just putting you in a position, telling you to do this move. How do you use your creativity?" Green continued.

"I feel like basketball used to be a poor man's game... Now it's a rich kid game... There's no imagination. Everybody's doing the same thing. And I think a lot of that is due sometimes to having trainers."

The basketball world has certainly changed over the years, and more players at the high school level are focusing far more on development and getting to the league than simply playing the game.

This article first appeared on Golden State Warriors on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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