Kobe Rips Travel Basketball (AAU) For Not Teaching Fundamentals

It is amazing what age, maturity and perspective can give a person.  I don't think you would have heard a 19 or 20 year old Kobe Bryant making those statements.

College and pro coaches have been complaining about this for years. I remember one NBA GM saying draft choices are a waste of time. By the time the team teaches them fundamentals they're ready to go the free agent route (three years).

Back when high school players played several sports. Now I find that more concentrate on one. As one who coached back in the 70's 80's and 90's I see today where they have all the facilities fall ball travel ball lessons clinics etc etc. I see fields with batting tunnels and a shed filled with equipment. Yet I go to a game and cringe when I see basic fundamental plays become an adventure. Base running?  I saw a varsity baseball game where the catcher dropped the third strike with less than 2 outs with 1st base occupied. He throws the ball to first? overthrows first and runner on first goes to third and proceeds to score on a passed ball. Ask a kid the infield fly today. amazing what you will get. Relays? double cutoff? Back up throws?Pitcher covering first on ball hit to right side? But these kids will have all the fancy uniforms,6 coaches in the dugout, and supposedly spend a significant amount of money to play on a travel team maybe take private lessons?  they have more but sometimes the results are less.

By the Way, Lebron backed up Kobe's statements the other day.  My son did the AAU / Travel ball thing.  Way too many teams out there who spend their time letting the kids play street ball instead of teaching them the fundamentals.  If you think aspects of travel baseball are bad, go to a couple of AAU tourneys.

 

 

It has become an industry

No such thing as amateur  sports. Way too many adults at every level making money of kids from their "amateur" sport from youth through college.

At the upper levels especially, AAU basketball has become more like showcase ball. The organizations don't consider their job to hone your skills, only display them.

didn't have time to read the article, but did Kobe say they don't play a team game and they are too concerned about their scoring stats?