HighSchool OT

Does Winning Mean Anything

Over the last few years it seems like winning has become less important to the players. Seems like all they want to do is get looked at so they might have a chance to go play ball. Biggest thing is they act like they are bigger than the team, and if you try to tell them something they act like they know it all. Has ESPN help create this? Its almost like when a team wins a title and the first thing some folks say, well they were not the best team that year, Sorry but they were the only team that didnt lose the last game they played in the playoffs.

RE: Does Winning Mean Anything

There is no "I" in team. The team should always come first & if a player & his parents are not down with that, move along. Pro ball has pretty much ruined HS & college ball because a lot of these kids think they're the next best thing. Hate to break the news to ya, but only a select few will make it & those numbers get even smaller in terms of players becoming stars at the highest levels.

lbeck - MLB has been around for over 140 years. During that time, approx. 18,000 players have played in the Majors. Of that 18,000 to play, only 167 can claim a career .300 BA, only 28 can claim to have collected 3,000 hits, & only 18 can claim both.

Point - whether it's baseball, football, or hoops, it's going to be a challenge to go all the way. It takes a combination of skill & luck. Lots of talented players, just not enough teams to go around when you think about it in the big scheme. I haven't looked at the numbers for the NFL/NBA but I imagine it's a similar situation.

Topic - Winning should always be the primary goal of any team. Team first, me second, & the rest will take care of itself. IMO

RE: Does Winning Mean Anything

I also think that AAU has changed the game as well. In AAU ball its about trying to get a scout to see you and what you can do. That carries over to high school ball for some players. I think there is definitely and I in AAU.

RE: Does Winning Mean Anything

Good topic lbeck. To answer your question, unfortunately, NO. It's more about "I", "my", "me" and "what have you done for me lately?".

RE: Does Winning Mean Anything

Welcome to the "me" generation.

RE: Does Winning Mean Anything

The kids are influenced by pro athletes who may not be selfish, but they think that THEY have to do everything on their own to get where THEY want to go. They want to win, they want to play college. There are not as many team players.

RE: Does Winning Mean Anything

Bad attitudes abound. I see in every game regardless of the sport.

RE: Does Winning Mean Anything

ts not am AAU issue its a false sense of entitlement. When someone is constently telling you how go you are and not the things you can do to improve as a player and person you do get an I mentality.
At the same time when your friends and family are talking about how good you dribble or that you can dunk that doesnt help either. ESPN has nothing to do with that and neither does AAU it starts with those closest to the player. Being given everything and never earning anything. So while you are trying to wow scout with you and 1 mixtape stuff, or you dunk in the open court. Someone esle is showing them the ability to think and make basketball plays. Its this mentality that has NC especially the raleigh area as talented as we are way behind the chicagos, dallas,tx and georgia in terms of recruiting hot beds. Patents friends of these athletes and knowledgeable people need to share that when in state schools go out of state to recruit prospects for BCS school we,north carolina, are the ones losing out. Be the exception like a TJ Warren or a Terry Henderson. Work hard earn it and learn how to play the game not just worry about mixtapes and highlight videos.

RE: Does Winning Mean Anything

Not ALL aau teams are bad, there are some good programs who aren't trying to leech for your money

RE: Does Winning Mean Anything

@ kmagnusson

Agreed 100%. I always get a kick out of those who say, "Hate the game, not the player." The games are great & always have been. Why hate the games? It's the players with 'tudes I have an issue with because you can't coach 'em. Hating the games is just an attempt to justify & cover bad attitudes. In other words, it's the bass ackwards approach.

RE: Does Winning Mean Anything

I see a combination problem here. As someone who has been around athletics his whole life, I see parents gravitating toward those who will get their students the most "exposure" or who have coaches that tell them how good Johnny is. In today's society there are enough people out there who will tell you what you want that parents will find them. There are very few people out there who really want to hear the truth (Many will say they do, but when faced with reality they tend to get upset and run). This is true with AAU, High School, Showcase, all the way down to Middle School where when a kid is cut it is crazy because "he was a pop warner all star" or "He played on an AAU national championship team". The "everyone gets a trophy" mentality has eroded a lot of the drive and determination and "want to" of a young athlete.