The Wooden Effect

June 4th marked the first anniversary of Coach John Wooden’s passing, but he will never be dead. In today’s society of self promotion, John Wooden will talk to generations to come long after he spoke his last word. When you live the life he did, others become your lungs after you’ve taken your last breath.

The newest resuscitation of Coach Wooden’s legacy is “The Wooden Effect”, a documentary with a different angle than any previous film on coach. The piece, by Point Forward Productions, explores Wooden’s impact on race relations at UCLA and beyond. It centers around the Clarence Walker story, an African-American player on Wooden’s Indiana State team who wasn’t allowed to participate in the NCAA tournament because of his race. With the grace and courage, few of that day exhibited, Coach Wooden took a stand to not let his team participate since Walker was prohibited (you have to watch the film to find out more).

As I stood and watched this film, surrounded by great players (and men) such as Marques Johnson, Ed O’Bannon, Tyus Edney and Jamaal Wilkes, I started to think of my own “Wooden Effect”. It is something that is extremely hard to put into words. There is no way to accurately describe the feeling of brotherhood, that day (and any other day), when I saw former teammates Earl Watson, Todd Ramasar, Ryan Bailey, Ray Young and Josiah Johnson. I can’t explain how, despite never playing with Kris Johnson or Toby Bailey, we are apart of the same team.

There were no national championship banners hanging at the event; no retired jerseys adorned   the stage. There were no autograph seekers or entourages to remind the, former and current, NBA players of their stardom. There was just family, Coach Wooden’s birth family and the one he created. There was a feeling. A feeling of unity. It is unspoken, unwritten and unscientific. It is unrelenting, unselfish and undeniable. It is…”The Wooden Effect”

It’s Not Them, It’s Us

“Kids are so different these days”, “This generation just doesn’t get it”, “Back when I was doing it, we were nothing like these kids”. I’m sure you have heard one of these sayings, or something that sounds extremely similar (like every T-Pain song). I AM TIRED OF ADULTS BLAMING KIDS FOR EVERYTHING. The problem doesn’t lie with today’s youth, it lies with those responsible for leading them.

I heard Frank Martin, Kansas State Head Men’s Basketball Coach, speak a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t agree with him more when he said, “Kids haven’t changed, we have.” If this generation is different it’s because we have allowed them to be. Young people will get away with what you let them. If kids seem apathetic it’s because adults have rewarded them for doing nothing. If they seem entitled, it’s because parents, teachers and coaches have given them things they haven’t earned. If they seem disinterested, in anything other than their selfish desires, it’s because adults have let them do things like sit at the dinner table with their headphones on (probably beats by Dre), blasting songs from their iPod (probably a tune about some kind of swag). If they seem like they lack respect for authority, it’s because they’ve been allowed to do and say whatever they want. What do we really expect when the expectations for behavior are set so low?

For some reason, this generation of adults vowed to “not be like my parents” and have kept their word. Instead of having the courage to discipline kids, they’d prefer to have the audacity to become confrontational when someone else has to. I was recently asked, “With today’s kids how do you plan to instill the type of program you want.” My answer was simple, “It’s an easy decision for them when they don’t have a choice.”

I could be in the minority on this matter, as legendary coach John Wooden even wrote about how times had changed in his 1997 book “Wooden – A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court”:

“There was a time when the vast majority would follow blindly, even into the shadow of death, but such is not the case now. Young people of today are far more aware, inclined to be more openly critical and more genuinely inquisitive than they used to be. So leaders must work with them somewhat differently.”

I wrote the preceding observation more than a quarter of a century ago. Are people really that different today? Have times changed so much? I wonder about that.

Then again, maybe I’m not the only one that sees the need for real leaders and less figure heads. Growing up I vowed never to be like Vivian Hawes (my mom) but eventually became wise enough to pray that I could be just like her. After all, her only son turned out O.K….I think.

Until Next Time, Get It !

“The Decision” @KingJames #Lebron

One of the hardest things to do in life is to remain quiet while listening to people talk about things of which they have no concept. After several days of biting my tongue, I’ve lost the battle. The negativity aimed at Lebron James, and anyone associated with his decision, has been ridiculous. It’s a sad testament of the current state of American Society. It’s a reminder that the freedom of speech associated with democracy also allows for the flourishing of hipocrisy.

I don’t know where to begin, but let’s start with a teenager’s rise to fame, from the slums of Akron. Lebron James was crowned king by adults, who somehow benefited from his basketball talents (whether it was financial or otherwise). He was put on the cover of Sports Illustrated by adults. He was followed around with a video camera, documenting his every move, by adults. He didn’t apply to be a cast member of the Real World, but his real world became our Real World courtesy of….you guessed it, adults. It’s almost comical how those adults have all of a sudden fell victim to the reverse Benjamin Button affliction, acting more like children the older they get.

In a time when #1 draft picks become busts and get busted for banned substances, or become married to the fast life while leaving their first marriage (and family) behind, I wouldn’t have been surprised if Lebron’s closet had been pried open, revealing more skeletons than CSI (all 26 different cities that are on the air now). Instead, Lebron has been a stand-up guy, trying to be the best man he can without getting burned by the constant glare of the spotlight. He’s been a father to his kids, an ambassador for the organization that employed him and a positive role model for kids. All the while, he’s carried himself with a class and maturity that people twice his age don’t possess.

Nevertheless, the same society that cheers for convicted felons (some repeat offenders) has ridiculously turned Lebron into the example of what’s wrong with sports. The same people, that say his handling of his decision was self-centered, anxiously awaited any gossip of where he might end up and tuned in to watch his announcement live. The fact that his decision gained more viewers than the 2007 finals, in which his team played, only proves, to those who say “he made his self bigger than the game”, that in fact they are the ones who cast his shadow larger than the league’s.

The notion that Lebron owed it to the city of Cleveland to stay, is ridiculous! He has already made the city of Cleveland more money than anybody in it’s history. Did Magic Johnson owe it to East Lansing to sign with the Pistons as a free agent? Did Larry Bird owe it to French Lick to sign with the Pacers? Even though they never played for the team, or boosted the struggling economy, in their home state they are still welcomed with open arms. If Akron loved Lebron like they claim they did he should always be king in his hometown. Lebron, and anyone else regardless of occupation, owes it to himself to do what he thinks is best for him and his family.

Please don’t bring up loyalty when it comes to sports and entertainment. Jay-Z (who Lebron also shun) said it best, “The same sword they knight you, they gone goodnight you with”. American society builds people up, only to tear them down. We wait for them to do something wrong and we release the hounds. When there isn’t a scent for the dogs to pick up, like in Lebron’s case, we create a smell. We go from complaining about money hungry athletes who don’t care about winning, to crucifying a man for raising 2.5 million dollars for charity and walking away from 15 million dollars towards a situation where he thinks he can win a championship. We start by bashing athletes for being egotistical enough to think they can do it by themselves but finish by questioning their character for joining with other great players. We measure a players greatness by how many championships he’s won only to tell him where and how he should win those rings.

I have even more respect for Lebron for making the right decision, for him, regardless of what anyone else thinks. I’m not here to argue that he made the right decision, I’m here to support his right to make the decision. I’m also here to ask society to do something Lebron had the courage to do…make up your mind. Decide what you stand for and hold on to it no matter what. Remember that we, as adults, have a responsibility to empower the next generation. What’s funny is that Lebron showed us what he was going to do long before his decision. If you refer back to the documentary of Lebron’s high school team (which made someone a lot of money in the theaters and on MTV and BET in recent weeks) you can see a kid who was happy playing a game with his boys. I know it’s difficult for all you sophisticated adults to comprehend, but Lebron simply made a decision to be happy again, playing a game with his boys.

Til Next Time, Get It  !

Cruz Control

The title has nothing to do with the job, which hasn’t slowed down since day one. Instead, it is a shout out to assistant coach Bryan Camacho’s son, Cruz, who was born Friday. As mom and dad soon found out, the baby now controls the Camacho household. Cruz brings the kid count to 7 among our assistants. We might soon be accepting applications for team nanny…

The staff is also excited for another reason….July recruiting. We are looking forward to seeing how much players have improved since April. July always tells who’s been working during May and June. Before we hit the road, I wish everyone has a safe and happy Fourth of July.

‘Til next time…get it 

Happy Father’s Day Indeed

A day like today reminds me of how truly blessed I am. I was able to spend father’s day, with my wife Tairia and, soon to be, 2 month old son Jayce, at the park watching my daughter Jasmine win her first championship as an athlete. As I watched Jasmine, and her Cal Warriors softball teammates, I couldn’t help but think about all the teams I played on, growing up, and the impact my coaches had on me. Growing up with a single mom, who did a great job of being mother AND father, I was fortunate to play for several men who treated me like their own son. Men like Lo Clark, Joe McGill Sr., Sam Randolp Sr., and Tom Osburn made sure I stayed out of trouble, just as much as they made sure I stayed in the game.

Those men helped me to experience all kinds of joy, through sports, but none could compare to today. Even though Jasmine recorded a couple of put outs, pounded out a couple of hits, supplied a couple of RBI’s and scored a few runs, she saved her best play for the car ride home. After taking a couple of pictures of her with her trophy I asked,”What are you going to do with your first championship trophy?” Her answer put the “Happy” in my Father’s Day. “I thought I would leave it with you since it’s Father’s Day.” I’m still smiling.

Happy Father’s Day to all dads, especially the men, I mentioned above, who treated me like a champion no matter what. And thank you Jasmine, for giving me the best Father’s Day gift ever and thinking I’m a champion no matter what.

Off to a Good Start

After a week and a half on the job, I’m finally starting to get my feet under me. It’s been a crazy eight days with interviews, meetings and visits. The most important thing I’ve been able to do is talk to each player and I’m encouraged by how excited they are for the upcoming season. Next year’s team will also have at least one new addition, after getting a verbal commitment this past week. We also concluded interviews Monday and my assistants should be on campus soon. (Stay tuned for both announcements)

Everyone at Cal State Northridge has extended a hand to make my transition easier. Being surrounding by good people is the key to success for any organization. With that said, we are looking for special people (who can also play little) to join the program and help us build something special.

It’s been a while for Matador fans but…..The  is here!