Bowman and Motivation

[SirSaxa]

There has been a lengthy discussion across several threads about Bowman's quote vis a vis JT3 as a motivator, and whether or not athletes should need motivation from their coaches. Some have severly criticized the kid for his comment -- which basically expressed his excitement about the arrival of JT3.

Two points.
1. Craig clearly had a dysfunctional program. We saw annual player defections, culminated by last year's early departure of Mike, transfer of Tony and Drew, the loss of Ronny and Chip, and Bowman himself tried to leave. Not a happy place. Anyone who has followed the program moderately knows what finally became obvious to DeGioia -- it was a bad situation and we needed a change.

Is it reasonable to expect that ALL of the players on the team felt 100% motivated ALL of the time under such conditions?

2.
Why do we admire "great coaches"? Why do we have Coach of the Year awards across all sports? Is it because of X's and O's??
Pat Riley? Phil Jackson? Vince Lombardi? Joe Torre? Bill Parcells? Joe Gibbs? Rick Pitino? Knute Rockne and "win one for the Gipper"? How about Gene Hackman in Hoosiers? OR closer to home, how about John Thompson.

Great coaches are sometimes great innovators. Great coaches are ALWAYS great motivators. Players love to play on those teams. They want to be part of it. They long for great leadership.

Are we to believe that the Green Bay Packers would have won all those championships on their own? without the extraordinary motivation of Vince Lombardi?

So the most talented player on our team, a 19-20 year old kid, honestly states how happy he is that fresh air has come into a Hoya program that was DESPERATELY in need of it, and some want to slam him for it?

I guess I am missing something because I don't see that point at all. Not even a little. I hope to heck that JT3 CAN motivate these kids to believe in themselves, to believe in his game plan and philosophy, and to go out there and give their all. With the undermanned team we have facing the UCONNs and 'Cuses and others of the league -- we are going to need every ounce of motivation.

I was delighted to read Bowman's quote -- and the comments from the Princeton community about JT3 as communicator, leader, X's and O's guy, disciplinarian, and yes -- motivator!

[GUHoya07]

OUTSTANDING POST! I agree with you completely and I too loved Brandon's quotes!

[MEGAFAN]

I second that. I must agree wtih Sir Saxa wholeheartedly as well. GO HOYAS!!!

[CAHoya07]

nicely put, sir saxa. couldn't have said it better myself.

[BubbleVisionBiff]

SirSaxa said:

There has been a lengthy discussion across several threads about Bowman's quote vis a vis JT3 as a motivator, and whether or not athletes should need motivation from their coaches. Some have severly criticized the kid for his comment -- which basically expressed his excitement about the arrival of JT3.

Two points.
1. Craig clearly had a dysfunctional program. We saw annual player defections, culminated by last year's early departure of Mike, transfer of Tony and Drew, the loss of Ronny and Chip, and Bowman himself tried to leave. Not a happy place. Anyone who has followed the program moderately knows what finally became obvious to DeGioia -- it was a bad situation and we needed a change.

Is it reasonable to expect that ALL of the players on the team felt 100% motivated ALL of the time under such conditions?

2.
Great coaches are sometimes great innovators. Great coaches are ALWAYS great motivators. Players love to play on those teams. They want to be part of it. They long for great leadership.

Are we to believe that the Green Bay Packers would have won all those championships on their own? without the extraordinary motivation of Vince Lombardi?

So the most talented player on our team, a 19-20 year old kid, honestly states how happy he is that fresh air has come into a Hoya program that was DESPERATELY in need of it, and some want to slam him for it?

I was delighted to read Bowman's quote -- and the comments from the Princeton community about JT3 as communicator, leader, X's and O's guy, disciplinarian, and yes -- motivator!

I give the governor a harumph! Well said.

I think we have to read BB's comments in the context of his near transfer last summer. He started as a freshman, so p.t. was no problem. His issues, I assume, were with the direction and leadership of the program.

Much was made of CE saying he didn't even bother showing the guys the tape of the St. John's game b/c he didn't want to depress them. Well, according to Raff on the next ESPN GU game (I forget which), who took it upon themselves to watch the tape with CE? BB and Ashanti!

No doubt BB's game has a lot of room to improve, especially shot selection and looking for the open man when he dribble drives. No doubt he was playing out of position. But I am not sure I want to go so far as to question his motivation. I'm not sure any of us know what playing for this team last year was like. And he is still a very young man.

[hoopsmccan]

I commend you Sir on your post.

I hope Joe Hoya, Mr. 110%, doesn't read this thread. That kid is going to flip. But of course, he does give everything his all, so undoubtedly he will do his best to try to convince us that BB is a slacker.

hm

[RaleighHoya]

I never thought that BB was not giving his all last year, and still don't after reading all of his quotes. I think he tried as hard as anyone on the team.

That said, I think the quote could have been phrased better. No need to bring up the past coach in a negative light. Simply say that you are very excited to play for JTIII and you are eager to get started. He is young, and I hope he will learn from a little of the backlash. I do think too much is being made of it though.

[EasyEd]

Great post, Sir Saxa!

[hoyalove4ever]

I think that I was probably the hardest of any poster on Bowman. To an extent, I may have taken his comments out of context; nonetheless, I still have serious issue with any member of the basketball program who would exert different levels of effort under different conditions. All-out effort should be unconditional, period, and I will not ever back off of that expectation. Bowman's quote raised a serious issue with me as to if he has that same standard. I may have responded too harshly, but at the same time Bowman should weigh his words carefully about such matters.

SirSaxa and I will have to agree to disagree about the prior regime running a dysfunctional program, as that is a contention I flatly reject, but this point has been exhausted on previous occasions. As I do not accept that premise, the next point is distorted, but still merits a response. I do not feel anything that has happened over the past several years serves as an excuse for any of our players or coaches being anything less than 100% motivated and inclined to work tirelessly toward success in every manner imaginable. I can certainly understand a player who has issues in this regard after (for instance) a death in the family, but I will not condone sub-standard effort because, say, you don't like some of your teammates or coaches. To me, that is a very reasonable expectation.

For the record, Bowman is one of my favorite Hoyas of recent memory. He seemed to give an outstanding effort last year, even when the same could not be said for some of his teammates. Even if Brandon has a different expectation for himself than I hold for Hoya players, I will still support him with the same vigor as I would if he met my expectations. I am glad that he is planning on coming back and I look forward to watching him over the next two seasons. I will put his quote in the past and move on.

Hoya Saxa.

[SFHoya99]

hoyalove4ever said:

I think that I was probably the hardest of any poster on Bowman. To an extent, I may have taken his comments out of context; nonetheless, I still have serious issue with any member of the basketball program who would exert different levels of effort under different conditions. All-out effort should be unconditional, period, and I will not ever back off of that expectation. Bowman's quote raised a serious issue with me as to if he has that same standard. I may have responded too harshly, but at the same time Bowman should weigh his words carefully about such matters.

SirSaxa and I will have to agree to disagree about the prior regime running a dysfunctional program, as that is a contention I flatly reject, but this point has been exhausted on previous occasions. As I do not accept that premise, the next point is distorted, but still merits a response. I do not feel anything that has happened over the past several years serves as an excuse for any of our players or coaches being anything less than 100% motivated and inclined to work tirelessly toward success in every manner imaginable. I can certainly understand a player who has issues in this regard after (for instance) a death in the family, but I will not condone sub-standard effort because, say, you don't like some of your teammates or coaches. To me, that is a very reasonable expectation.

For the record, Bowman is one of my favorite Hoyas of recent memory. He seemed to give an outstanding effort last year, even when the same could not be said for some of his teammates. Even if Brandon has a different expectation for himself than I hold for Hoya players, I will still support him with the same vigor as I would if he met my expectations. I am glad that he is planning on coming back and I look forward to watching him over the next two seasons. I will put his quote in the past and move on.

Hoya Saxa.

I just think it is funny that anyone thinks that they exert the maximum amount of effort at all times.

Doesn't that tire you out?

[hoopsmccan]

Tire out? Not Joe Hoya. That kid never stops. He goes all out in everything he does - from brushing his teeth to power walking to class. He even sleeps giving 110%.