Matriculation
Matriculation
I have a thought I wanted to share. We talk about talent and coaching a lot. I lack the coaching skills and experience that a lot of you have; however, I do know that a team with talent can fail. There is more to an effective team than the talent of each of its members. I remember the movie, “Miracle”, where the coach said, “I am not looking for the best players. I am looking for the right players."
Every team goes through a process to get accustomed to each other. Reflecting back on last year with new players from far and wide, we began to play better as the season went on. When a team is first put together, it has talented individual members. Each member only knows what he/she can do well and not what the others can do. Each member of the team is about his or her individual performance, and only after the teams plays together awhile, it becomes more about the whole of the team. Each one begins to understand what each of the other team members can do well. Effectiveness grows.
In year 2, Coach Wardle had the time to recruit better players. He was more successful. At times, we have started 4 freshmen this year. His first year, we started 5 freshman. This year, we lost that previous year of matriculation. Coach Wardle subs fast. Is he looking for who plays the best together? Is he searching for that intangible?
When each team member understands what the capabilities of his team mates are, then he can make better decisions. If a 3 pointer is needed and 2 of your team are in position to get a good shot, then you’re going to pass it to the best 3 point shooter of the 2 or take the shot yourself. We play better with Nate in the lineup. Sure, he could be a faster player. Perhaps he is not our best player, but I he might be the "right" player, who understands to a greater degree what each of his team mates can do.
Who was the most valuable Cub last year? Arrieta, Lester? We all want to name the best player and statistics drive that. I think it was Dexter Fowler. The team won when he played and lost when he didn't.
As we bring in better talent next year, we will again lose some matriculation. The talent and the team will slowly get better, but that intangible of understanding your team mates is always needed.
When we get the “right” players, the improvements could come very fast. Improvements may be sudden and, like some kind of magic, we’ll be winning.
Like I said, I am no coach and I know that the lack of fundamentals is very frustrating and precludes success.
If matriculation has anything to do with how we play, then I think we will have a better 2nd half in the MVC.
