Heir Ball: How the Cost of Youth Sports Is Changing the N.B.A.
Briefly

The article explores the evolving narratives within American sports, particularly how concepts of meritocracy are becoming increasingly complicated. Traditionally, sports like basketball and baseball have been framed as arenas where talent, hard work, and stories of triumph define success. However, discussions with LeBron James and Luka Dončić highlight how today's youth face different challenges compared to past generations. The article suggests that while the narrative of the underdog remains powerful, the realities of access to opportunity and equity in sports are shifting, complicating the idea that talent alone is sufficient for success.
LeBron James reflected on how much different the experiences of young basketball players today are compared to his own upbringing, indicating a shift in the game's landscape.
In past narratives of pro sports, talent and hard work were supposed to reign supreme, but modern shifts suggest that opportunities are not equal among aspiring athletes.
Read at The New Yorker
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