Sunday, January 1, 2012

Maturity

How does someone handle themselves in the workplace? Do they attempt to get along with others for the good of the company/organization? Yes. Should they close their mouth when it is inappropriate to speak? Yes. Some of you may be asking: Why is this the first post of his sports blog? The answer is quite simple, a majority of athletes within the last decade have been all about money, attention and selfishness.

When I was little players stayed mostly with one team unless something dramatic happened; now players change teams faster than it takes to change the channel on their HD TV. If players don't feel they will win a championship within two years they demand a trade or force their way out of town. This topic came about because of a troubling article from ESPN.com. Sacramento Kings Power Forward/Center (PF/C) DeMarcus Cousins demanded a trade from his team. If this were Cousins first issue I could pass on the subject without any thought. He had several instances of immaturity in college at the University of Kentucky. College is one of the only places Cousins could be disciplined with the consequences fitting his stupidity.
Cousins and other "diva" athletes need to revert to the older, retired players. Players who fight for their family, team, hometown are loved and remembered for what they did. One who hits close to home is Brandon Roy, former Shooting Guard (SG) for the Portland Trail Blazers, who was forced to retire from his dream job in 2011 because his knees couldn't handle the job. Did Roy play for himself? No. He wanted to live his dream, but for those who don't know he had a bigger goal in mind. From 2000-2006 the Blazers were known as "the Jail Blazers". Roy was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 6th overall pick, but the Blazers traded for him. That same year the Blazers acquired the rights to LaMarcus Aldridge from the Chicago Bulls. Aldridge and Roy made a pact to bring the Blazers out of the basement and to a championship. They have been to the playoffs the last three years winning 54, 50 and 48 games a season, respectively. The turn around the Blazers had was not because of outstanding talent alone, but it was due to the unselfishness and maturity two young athletes showed in their first several years in the league.
Cousins wants to move. Cousins is immature. Cousins is a face of disappointment for the NBA and NBA Commissioner David Stern. As mentioned he demanded a trade, and he was asked to stay away. Can everything he has done be blamed on his coaches? His family? Himself? Alone no, but all of those factors together? Yes. Maturity isn't found or discovered, it is learned over years. Cousins has a lot of work if he wants to become great. Otherwise he will become a McDonald's cashier or be remembered as a bust in the NBA.