bearsandgiants said:
They didn't come to play. Hopefully they keep it close enough to come out strong at half. I like the positive reinforcement approach Madsen seems to use, but this team needs to be yelled at today. They're playing lazy, sloppy basketball, and if you're collecting a check or getting a free education and not playing your heart out, you're a thief. This is unacceptable.
Except for the phrase I highlighted in bold letters, I agree with all that you wrote. As to the highlighted phrase, these are kids. I'd wager there is nothing in their contracts that requires these kids to "play their hearts out." It is a sad commentary on modern times that kids often don't play that hearts out, and I don't think paying them money to play is incentivizing them to play any harder. Some maybe, but not most. I think the opposite is true. I think they care less about playing hard, because they have it so easy, compared to their parents' generation.
Pete Newell's kids played hard every game. They all had scholarships, and Newell required them to work 20 hours a week, so they made some more money that way. I talked with one of his players, and asked him if he thought the reason they played hard was that Newell had yelled at them or threatened them. He said, Newell did not do that much at all. I asked them why did they play so hard then? He then replied, "I think we all played hard every game was because of what we
thought Newell might do to us if we didn't."
Lastly I think a defense-focused team is more likely to give effort every game than an offense-focused team. Defense is just plain hard work, and there is no tangible reward for playing hard on defense. Offensive stats are what counts, scoring. Offense is what excites everyone, and sells tickets, and offense is what kids love to practice when they are alone, shooting or dribbling. Defense is not glamorous. It does not bring the big salaries in the NBA, and I'd guess the same is true in college. And so far, what we have at Cal now is an offense-focused coach in Madsen. And his offense is good because he has brought in a few good offensive players. Kennedy is maybe his best defensive signing so far. Madsen needs to bring in a few good defenders, and then we should see more effort. Successful effort on the defensive end can stimulate effort on offense.
SFCityBear
