No. He is a product of the Trophy Generation. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122455219391652725.html http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/07/the-trophy-generation/8542/ BTW, it'd be funny if Miami loses tonight and the crowd chants, "Good effort! Good job!"
^5 People do take sports, too seriously, as I've said in many discussions for many reasons. I don't know how it was used, maybe for dramatic effect. But ... Cuban Missile Crisis could've very easily lead to a real war between the Soviets and American and one that might have lead to a nuclear holocaust as end result. It's a dumb game of entertainment [insert any sport]. We don't expect this level of expectations out of stage or circus performers. There's no reason to genuinely HATE any player or team for any reason that's not palatable. Kyle Williams, Billy Cundiff, and Steve Blake receiving death threats in numbers of hundreds, while thousands of so-called fans probably wished ill-will towards all three. It's the culture, and it's not just in America. It's overseas to look at all of those insane soccer riots. You've seen people literally lose their emotions, their grasp of reality, or souls over a team. Maybe, a greater sense of belonging to something or consciousness, like patriotism/nationalism. People in society often expect too much out of athletes (and their teams) in an unrealistic scenario for most people (even the mediocre mortals building those expectations). You are a younger person with alot of talent. You are in high school or college and on the brink of being in a pro league as big star. All of sudden, you have family members and that you that you know or have never seen before congratulating and some asking you for money or favors. You have the media -- both local and mainstream discussing how great of prospect you are, maybe how well-mannered you are as well or how uncouth or aloof you may be. Judging you as person after a couple of mere interviews. You've got the vultures flying over - the agents, the groupies, crooked businessmen, and the hang-ons. These results vary depending on what type of person you are, what environment you were raised, and etc. Now after that contract is sign, you are now one of the pillars of the local city and community, especially if you are a big star, becoming one, or a known player. So you might something along the lines of a role model, a special person, an alpha male who is a moral person, or even a savior. Yet, considering these 17-35 year old, hot blooded men with a high testosterone levels and a taste for adventure. I guess I shouldn't expect them to not party, dabble in drugs, not sleep with all sorts of strange and unusual women (some of which look rather stunning as others look like someone's grandmother), excessive drinking, spending loads of cash unnecessarily, engaging in reckless behavior (sometimes criminal), and the more irresponsible have inordinate amount of children. We rip them to shreds when they mess up or look foolish in their dalliances and sinful behavior. Yet, when some athletes don't mess up , too mild-mannered, or are rather religious (like AC Green or Tim Tebow). There's something wrong with them. There's always this weird double standard, near Madonna-w**** complex with athletes. There's certain way to act, while there are only certain things you can say or be heard saying. One weird thing about all four leagues (owners, commissioners, along with the media) is that they want their athletes to conform in such uniform fashion that is always digestible to greater public Moreover, I can remember this one thread on whether high school players or young college players should be expected to go to college for at least three years. Alot of posters pointed to the number of busts, the failed careers, and no career path. I simply said who cares, let 17-19 year old kids go straight to NBA and make millions and not offer these special privileges. What's so special about basketball players, especially with kids who just want to play the game and not go to school for it? The only major incentive that I see for subsidizing such players is only financial or social reasons. There's no strong correlation between being a 4 year college player versus a high school or one year college player. The NBA has never been immune to bust players, regardless of their status. Moreover in today's college game, you don't see alot of highly talented seniors in the high territory of he 1st round -- because the superior players have already went to the NBA or are overseas. Still, why should I care if a kid wants to drop out of high school - get a GED (very talented and highly touted basketball player) to go play in the NBA. I don't understand why we need to push that kid towards college or NCAA (when he is talented enough to be on an NBA roster), especially when there are thousands of kids who actually want to go college and people sort of turned a cold shoulder and say let them earn it or pay for it themselves. There are athletes I have rooted against, but never one I hated personally. While, there are some athletes who do have some especially exceptional people and/or extremely likeable as a person on television or real life. Though, there's no realistic personal connection When it comes to sports in general, it's to watch kids or growns play over a mere game that means absolutely nothing ...but never-ending, fun. It's simply enjoyment ... that's why it's so warming to listen to this kid in stands. Because, it's just a contest and entertaining contest.
People watch sports because of the primordial enjoyment of competition that is instilled in every single human being. The first spectator-sport was gladiators killing fierce animals. Sports have been toned down for obvious reasons, but the reason we enjoy them is the same. Watching others compete against each other. Having kids say "everyone's a winner" is a byproduct of evolution, because we've raised them against their instincts to win, in order for our society to be more fair towards those less fit to survive. Or, in the modern era, less fit to win sports.
I'm not saying that...but I'm not gonna criticize a kid for being supportive of his favorite team, even after they lose. Frankly, I'd like to see more of that.
It's fine to turn it into a meme, as it was unintentionally funny. But criticizing the kid himself? Breaking him down? Using him to bust on a generation? He's a kid cheering for his team, FFS. Lay off.
Only thing is ... the kid did not say that. All he said was good job, good effort (better luck next time). Even with our evolution. I never gotten that sense from anyone playing sports, little league to professional. Most people are naturally competitive, that's given. You are confusing sportsmanship with trying to say kids or even players are less competitive now. That's completely untrue or at best, misleading.
It's not criticizing the kid. Just pointing out that the mentality reflects what this generation of parents are instilling to their children: failure doesn't exist. There are times when the loser needs encouragement to pick himself up for the next challenge. But I don't think guys like LeBron and Wade need that encouragement. In fact, they need the opposite. They need to lay down their entitled narcissistic attitude and realize that success is not going to be handed to them on a plate.
Totally agreed. Evidently some of you had tortured childhoods taking this **** too seriously. Actually a lot of you still do right now and it's evident by the dumb ass never ending debates around here.
Yes, it's shame that kid didn't have the foresight and focus to reprimand his heroes as they passed by him a few feet away. Everyone is a sociological professor and professional psychologist on the internet nowadays.
It's pretty funny that this from a poster named professorjay reprimanding a poster called Easy. LOL. You apparently is taking this discussion too serious too.
That kid is awesome... he's just trying to encourage his team the way his parents do at little league.
You should be a sports psychologist. This is some heavy deep stuff you're talking about it. The kid is cheering for his team. Leave it at that.
Lumping an entire generation, together again. Huh. Saying failure doesn't exist is a blanket statement that applies. You are sort of just trotting along one side of it (the side, which says just have a good contest, nobody gets hurt, and everybody wins). When in reality, it's just damn game. It doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things., if you win or lose. I wish people had that much fervor towards becoming a better person, then would stand a chance of becoming a better place. I also do not think you give kids enough credit for being naturally competitive, I've never seen a group of kids who said that they wanted to lose or were not focused on trying to win a game. Maybe that exists in your part of the country, but even in most friendly and non-organized games. I've never seen kids say that they are losing intentionally or not trying hard at all. Though, on the other side of "failure doesn't exist," you have the type of parents who will not except their kids looking inept athletically, not giving a full effort, or moreover not being one of the superior talents on the team. Those parents who continually push their kids to become a great athlete or talent, when it is clear that the kid may just only be good enough to be on the team or marginally good enough to be on a team. I've been to alot of Little League games (non-athletic events) and honestly I think it's the opposite. The parents (especially sports dads or stage moms) can be unbearable *****, alot of times. You would think every kid in the park is some future pro league bound player. In all honesty, most of them aren't. People often say it's all in good fun. If you have ever seen the movie, "The Bad News Bears." Parents are 10x worst than that these days. I love what this kid said, it's only sportsmanship and he has good manners. I much rather him say that, then say something absolutely revolting to one of the players. Most of all, it's just entertainment and recreation. I don't care if Lebron and DWade are arrogant, entitled, narcissistic, greedy, self-aggrandizing, or cheat rampantly (like alot of players) on their wives/girlfriends. I do not care about any of that, because it's none of my business. Two of the best (and most entertainer) players in the league, while I've never really had to question how hard they are playing in a game. It doesn't matter, it's only entertainment to me. I have no bones in any kind of NBA culture. If I were an owner or a GM, then I might feel differently.
I appreciate your taking the time to respond. It's a complex issue and this is not a place to give in-depth discussion. So yeah, whatever we can say in a paragraph or two will surely be oversimplification. (BTW, sociology is by necessity broad-stroke. You can't even use words like "American" or "generation" if you insist on focusing on the fine details of individuality.) I am sorry for bothering you guys by throwing in my .02 about culture when this should be a basketball forum.
If I'm ever a college professor, I want to run a class that undoes the damage down to my generation. Lesson I: You are not special. Lesson II: Your best isn't always good enough. Lesson III: There are no "participation trophies" in life.
