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Nalod
Posts: 68755
Alba Posts: 154
Joined: 12/24/2003
Member: #508
USA
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Im not always 100% behind Isiah, but his speach to high schoolers yesterday was impressive. The privilege of being a superstar is a big one. I am amazed how many talented stars have emerged with so little regard to the effort it took themselves to get there, and how they think basketball talent puts them above decency and the law. It still a minority of players, but the rash of legal problems (Kobe, Spree, Jayson Williams, etc), morality (rash of recruiting violations with money and sex, St. Johns, etc), is amazing.
It stem from a TON of money along with iconization of these mega stars. Its a tough tough thing to handle, and it somthing I must admit I would have a tough time with. Lucky me, I don't have such temptations, LOL!
Isiah was such a talent, but embraced the discipline of Bobby knight and developed into a rare talent with a work ethic. He is distinct in that he was not babied on the way up like so many are now. High School kids flirting with the NBA is an ego rush and a fantasy come true.
JamesOn Curry, a star player in North Carolina had signed to play for the Tar Heels but got caught selling weed. He thought he would not get caught and was above it. What is this kid thinking?
Its a shame a gone by era of character developement seems to be going away. Im not saying every coach has to be a nut like Bobby Knight, but Isiah was a punk whom embraced him and in the end defined his success. I have much more respect for Isiah for his display yesterday.
Coaches used to be able to mold kids and talent, somtimes in not so nice ways. Now if a kid don't like it, he leaves or goes to the NBA. But how much further can a kid develope both skills, and character if they stayed? I think the decline in talent is not athletics, but the mental discipline that a little more maturity can offer. My take.
From post.......
March 25, 2004 -- Isiah Thomas caused a stir in the Knick locker room with last week's postgame tirade that challenged them to step up.
Thomas took his motivational tour to Chicago Monday and called out two high school stars participating in last night's Reebok-sponsored Roundball H.S. Classic at United Center that featured potential No. 1 pick Dwight Howard.
A native of Chicago's West Side, Thomas was the keynote speaker at the tournament's banquet Monday and delivered a stern message to two players who were 25 minutes late for a photo session. Each player in the tournament was instructed to show up at a certain time to have his picture taken with Isiah, an All-American at Chicago area's St. Joseph's.
During his speech, Isiah shocked the audience by singling out the two players for their tardiness, preaching to them responsibility, respect, having role models, even invoking the name of his former college coach, Bobby Knight. Isiah received a standing ovation when his 35-minute talk concluded.
A tournament source who attended the banquet and photo session said the two players apologized to Isiah afterward.
"It was a great speech," the source said.
"At a young age, I had teachers who are committed enough to teach me the right away," Isiah told The Post. "For those young men, I just wanted to make sure they understood there's a right way and wrong way. It turned out be a very positive night because they got a lot out of it. It's better they got it at age 17 and 18 than 26 or 27."
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