Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?

[MTK]

Yeah I do think people overvalue the impact of "mentoring". A lot of vets have no use for showing the younger guys the ropes so they can basically take their jobs.

Good players are typically the way they are because they are self-motivated, and not led around on a leash like a lost puppy.

Sure you need veteran leadership on your team and I'm not underestimating the importance of that. But the idea that all veterans want to mentor the younger guys and is worth a roster spot because of that does get overplayed with the fans.

Kinda like the idea that any free agent is available for the vet min.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Yeah I do think people overvalue the impact of "mentoring". A lot of vets have no use for showing the younger guys the ropes so they can basically take their jobs.

Good players are typically the way they are because they are self-motivated, and not led around on a leash like a lost puppy.

Sure you need veteran leadership on your team and I'm not underestimating the importance of that. But the idea that all veterans want to mentor the younger guys and is worth a roster spot because of that does get overplayed with the fans.

Kinda like the idea that any free agent is available for the vet min.

I know it's a different sport, but in the NBA Playoffs I kept hearing about how Rashard Lewis came to the NBA right out of high school, fell to the 2nd round and was on the road to a short NBA career when Ray Allen showed up in Seattle and basically saved his career. They talked about how he found a whole new way to prepare and became a far better shooter thanks to Ray Allen, so there is something to be said for veteran leadership.