David said, “I’m getting better and better.” “Sometimes you have to speak up more than you want to. Sometimes you just have to take a seat when you need to. One thing about me is that when I need to speak, I have to say it. When there are times, when people don’t understand, when things aren’t going well, I’m going to speak up. I fit that profile to some degree. That’s the type of captain I am. Men need advice. Or if they see someone doing something that’s not right… you can learn a lot just by being leagues away.
“If the players aren’t doing something right and the coach is always coaching them, that’s a sign. It’s like, ‘Hey, come on.’ You have to pick it up, you won’t be here for long if you keep doing that. ” I never want to be the guy who just leaves a guy alone… You’re trying too hard to get to this point. So I would like to take advantage of this opportunity when I am here. So I will definitely try to be a big brother type of captain. ”
But just because David has learned over the years that he sometimes needs to speak up and lead as a leader, that doesn’t mean he’s still working hard and making sure he’s setting the right example as a leader. That doesn’t mean. around him.
“I’m the type of person who holds men accountable, so I think I should make sure I do what I’m supposed to do,” David said. “So when I speak up and try to get people on my side, I make sure I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. I want them to see who’s doing it the right way.” I want to be a guy who confirms. I’ve always been that type of person and I think I’ll continue to be that type of person because I feel like that’s working well for me.
“At the end of the day, there’s a lot of grown men in the locker room. Men can do what they want, but that goes a long way with respect. By being who I am, , if you work at your job and do your best and earn the respect of the boys…especially now, young boys are like, ‘You’re in 12th grade, are you doing that? Yeah, that opens doors.’ I was like, ‘Okay, you should do this too.’
So when did David feel he needed to step up into a leadership role within the Bucks’ locker room?
“Honestly, it was probably around that time, about year eight or nine,” David said. “Gerald [McCoy] It was coming to an end and I felt like there was a lot of negativity going on in the whole locker room around that time. We didn’t play very good soccer as a team. I feel like I have to take on that role and take everyone under my wing and talk to them and speak up more when things aren’t going well and say, “This is not the way things should be right now. ” I felt I had to let them know. Please do it like this. ”
Lavonte David praises Bucks’ young captains’ leadership
Lavonte David is certainly not alone when it comes to Bucks leadership. Mike Evans is also a long-time captain, and quarterback Baker Mayfield is the type of natural leader that people are always drawn to. And beyond them, Tampa Bay has some young leaders emerging who just happen to form the foundation of the franchise’s next wave.
Left tackle Tristan Wirfs and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. both served as captains for the first time in 2023, and David had high praise for both players Friday as he reflected on what they’ve shown from a leadership standpoint. .