Steve Sarkisian finally speaks up regarding LeBron James’ $1 billion verdict on young children losing focus.
Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian recently praised Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James’ comments following his team’s 113-105 victory over the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden.
Sarkisian posted a clip from the James video from Saturday on his Instagram stories, with the caption:
When asked to advise young players entering the NBA, LeBron James, who is worth $1 billion according to Forbes, shared his wisdom:
“The cars and the jewelry and all the other dumb s**t, that don’t matter, means absolutely nothing,” he said. “I see a lot of these young kids who become so unfocused on material things that they lose their focus. Just worry about the game. “If you worry about the game, everything will take care of itself.”
LeBron’s advice for young players coming up in hoops: “Just pour it all into the game – if you want to be great and if you want to be someone that will be never forgotten in the league, the cars and the jewelry and all the other dumb s— that don’t matter means absolutely nothing” pic.twitter.com/wWgKfWKQLE
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 4, 2024
Steve Sarkisian gives life lessons
While being inducted into the Shrine Bowl Hall of Fame, Steve Sarkisian shared stories with the young audience about his time as a BYU Cougars player.
The Texas Longhorns coach shared a story about throwing a pick-six and encouraged listeners to recover from difficult situations.
“I’m pretty good at making humor out of some tough times, but the point being football (can be) the best way to look at life,” Sarkisian said in a statement. “The adversity we face in the game could be a quarterback turnover, a cornerback getting beat deep on a go-ball, a tackle giving up a sack, or a running back fumble. But the game isn’t over.
“You still have to play, and you have to refocus and recalibrate yourself, trust your training, trust the people around you, and do your job. “It sounds very much like life.”
Steve Sarkisian, who has faced his fair share of adversity since being fired as coach of the USC Trojans for alcohol-related issues in 2015, concluded his anecdote with a final parting shot to his audience.
“Life presents adversity to us as well,” Sarkisian said. “But how do we get back up and continue our journey? Hopefully, that (Shrine interception story) serves as a small reminder that you can overcome a lot in life.”
If anyone is well-suited to agree with LeBron James on the material distractions that derail many young prospects, it’s Steve Sarkisian, who has coached his fair share of professional players.