There are so many issues with "entitlement" when dealing with this generation. After having some
true highs and lows with your team, you may be wondering how you can get them
to stay hungry and work hard for what they want in life. So many times, players seem to forget to
focus on what they have and be appreciative of that. It may be because they don't know the sacrifices that were made to create the opportunities they have today.
Webster’s Dictionary defines appreciation as an ability to understand worth, quality, or
importance of something. After thinking about the definition, maybe
the problem is players do not understand the worth of their opportunity to play basketball.
So when you hear someone say they are depressed, miserable or just
unhappy with their circumstances, try shedding some light on the things they
can be thankful for . Reflect on the history that so many people fought so that they can be where they are today. To take the
appreciation a step further, take some time to engage in a selfless cause that
will help someone else.
With today being such a special day of celebration for Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. life's work, it is the perfect opportunity to remind
players of our nation’s history. The
battles fought and won so that they may have equal opportunity to do what they
love to do which is play basketball. Think
about the people who died so that we may live a better life than them. The war is still not over and I wonder if
players think about what they can do today that may one day pave the way for
the next generation. If you only live to better yourself, your works will not last. Ask your players to answer this question: "What legacy are you
leaving that will benefit someone else?"
