Great Article--Steph Curry, Stay Way From My School

Interesting - reminds me of the era when Barkley was getting killed for telling people he wasn't a role model and that parents, family, coaches, teachers and other local adults living in kids lives every day should be.

I always thought he was right and so is this teacher.

Barkley has the Cavs in 6 so clearly he has no idea what he's talking about.

Great article. 

I wish there was a way to get all the young basketball players who are going to grow up to be, say, 5' 10", into baseball. Basketball is a sport for giants, and there are a lot of great athletes who are not giants.

While I appreciate the sentiment, and this teacher obviously knows his students better than I do, I have to disagree.  Is a visit from Curry really going to make things worse?  Is some kid going to give up his dream of becoming an engineer because Curry makes an appearance?  Curry is a smart guy.  He’s going to deliver the same message that most professional athletes do in this kind of setting... stay in school, stay out of trouble, etc.

Will his visit have any long term benefit? Maybe not, but why deprive the kids of some joy for one day?

On one hand I agree but on the other I don't. While Steph may have been afforded opportunities that many of those students will not, one lesson my son and I have learned is hard work produces results. The tutor didn't do his schoolwork, the trainer didn't do his workouts. If Steph didn't put in the effort to be successful he would not be. That's the most important lesson these children can learn regardless of their circumstances. The unfortunate thing and this may be taking his message a bit far - you could paraphrase his post by saying - Dont give them something to dream or hope for because due to their environment and circumstances they wont have these opportunities.

I think the message was a little more direct than that.  He wants those students to be driving toward something that is reasonably achievable that will break a cycle of poverty.

He message is this - Don't sell these kids a 1 in a million shot at the NBA so that if that doesn't work out they are back at the local park shooting hoops and drinking beer 18 months after High School.   Be a teacher, cop, soldier, electrician etc.  make and honest living and give your children a better life.  Odds of success are good if that is the path they choose and it will have a positive impact possibly for generations.

How many people have the history of Great Grandfather off the boat - laborer of one kind or another.  Grandfather - HS grad Cop.  Dad - College professional career.  You Lawyer, Doctor or Indian Chief.  That is what it is supposed to be...isn't it?

Love. Love. Love this letter.

Love the reference to winning the lottery.  That is exactly what making it to the MLB, NBA or NFL is like!

Been using same analogy for the kids in the DR for couple years now.  Everyone talks about how baseball is the only way off the island.  Its been culturally engraved for generations.  Baseball, baseball, baseball.  Could you imagine if they said "winning the lottery is the only way out of the barrios."?!  To me, its almost the same as saying baseball is the only way out of here.  Sure, some people actually hit the lottery.  Happens all the time.  But MOST people don't.  

So why not stress the education.  Make education Plan A.  With baseball/basketball/football as Plan A-1?

Love this message.

Rich

www.PlayInSchool.com/bus_tour

The message is right. The approach is a bit harsh. But it's an article. I'm sure he would be happy to have Curry come to his school and talk about hard work to accomplish goals.

When my son was twelve he wanted to play basketball and baseball for UNC. I jokingly warned him he was doomed to grow up to be a 6'2" white kid. He does have ups. He was dunking when he was 5'11".

Many kids and parents don't understand the reality of just playing high school basketball. Some uncoordinated preteen or chunky preteen is going to become the 6'5 to 6'8" basketball machine by high school. 75% of the preteen basketball heroes will end up all competing for the same position, 2 guard. They won't be big enough to play up front. They won't handle the ball well enough to play point. 

I was heavily involved in our in our town basketball program. There was an uncoordinated twelve year old I swear was going to knock over backboards with his shot. By high school he was a dominating 6'7" power forward. Now he's a 6'7", 250 pound D1 tight end. This kid tripped over his own feet at twelve.

But of course every poster on HSBW seems to be the father of an ACC/SEC/MiLB/MLB player so they can't relate to that.

Good thing I'm here to be the voice of reason!

Rich

- The Voice of Reason on HSBW since 2008.

www.PlayInSchool.com/bus_tour

and Big 12....