https://es.pn/2Py4Rq2

Growing pains. Happens here and in the pros. The moral of both stories is it takes some time to iron these things out for a player, a team and a coach. This article gives a good insider view to how the player, his teammates, his coach and general manager feel as well as how those measured perspectives contrast to the hyperbolic criticism coming from fans. There are a lot of moving parts to a successful team. Hard to always lay blame at the foot of one person.

This also made me think of Jabari Bird. Anybody heard anything recently? I read that Jaylen's mom has stepped up to "supervise" Jabari in helping him work through his health problems. That says a lot to me about both Jabari and Jaylen's mom. There is also a bit of talk of what Boston will do with his contract. There is guaranteed money involved as well as apparent prior team knowledge of his medical issues. I'm curious if an employer could nullify his contract due to the legal charges if the player reached out to the team for help prior to the incident. Kind of like seeking alcohol counseling without fearing retribution from your employer. I'm also wondering where his girl friend sits on this issue. Does she press charges?

That writer has some talent. All the best to JB.

It's hard when you go from a starting role with lots of minutes to then being asked to run with the 2nd team with much less playing time. Jaylen is young, and fortunately he landed in a place with a tremendous coaching staff and front office. I have faith Jaylen will get back on track.

Quote:

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And yet, there he was in the waning seconds of the second quarter ..., plowing into the key as the shot clock dwindled with three players around him...

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Hmmm...brings back memories...

bearister said:

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That writer has some talent. All the best to JB.

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agree bearister

that is a must read article about Jaylen, and also about the NBA. Many frank statements from players, coaches, management and Jaylen

A few of note:

Irving showing he is the undisputed leader of this team. I think that was what he really wanted when he left Cleveland and LeBron:

"I'm accountable for these guys to play at a certain level every single night and demand that out of them. If that comes with being in some guys' faces and making them feel uncomfortable and not being well received or not well liked, that's just what it comes down to. I know what it's like to be on that stage and to play against a juggernaut of a team, and I know the little things matter. You can't lose your sense of self in a matter of a moment. You can't be soft or fragile on the way to that championship because guys will be coming after you. So why not challenge our guys during the season to prepare them for that?"

"You find yourself in a situation where every single day you are demanded to be great. That's a hard journey for anybody in this league, and to have that much talent and not be able to showcase it, I'm sure it is tough on him.'


Coach Stevens, one of the best in the business understands that there is often more factors that people don't see. I sometimes think that is the case in BI:

"We're asking Jaylen to guard a lot of different guys at a lot of different positions, from Tim Hardaway with the Knicks to Blake Griffin on a day-to-day basis," ...Within all of our schemes, with all the things we've been doing, I actually think Jaylen's gotten better. He's doing a lot of different things, both on and off the ball. That's why I don't get caught up too much in the individual defensive numbers."



Marcus Smart (who took Jaylen's starting spot) tells it like it is in the NBA:

"The last thing we wanted was for Jaylen to get in his own head," Smart says. "Like we told him, 'Listen, nobody's gonna feel sorry for you in this league. Nobody. All of us were stars at one time, the best players, who never came off the bench. And most of us have had to adjust. You can't let that bother you because people are out there just waiting to pounce on any little crack in your confidence.'


A few quotes show just how thoughtful Jaylen is. This guy has such a bright future in basketball and beyond. Really proud of him.

"It's been a challenge. It's going to continue to be a challenge. It's all about your mindset, so that's what I'm focusing on."

"What's hard to do is to separate what's real and what's not real in what you feel. We all have emotions, we all have things that we think are happening, whether they are happening or not"