Thursday, April 18, 2013

Analyzing All USA Basketball Team

AITOOW loves that we are so interested (in earnest) to some of the dimmest/least evolved people in our society? The following is courtesy of five high school basketball players deemed worthy by USA Today to have a whole page unto themselves. Let's do a little dime store psycho-analysis and see what assumptions we can make about their current and future development from their responses.

Andrew Wiggins. Favorite Song - "...that song that Cityphil made about ME." Red Flag. Favorite Teacher - the ART teacher and the GYM teacher. Sounds like Dean's list. Most used app - INSTAGRAM. Self absorption. Good Read - a book in which the character "gets back into REGULAR time" (from the future). Sounds like that prep school was demanding. I predict he is and will become a bigger head case. Too dumb and self obsessed to reach his potential.

Julius Randle - Underrated Virtue - "...RESPECT. ... You would be SURPRISED how that impresses people." No we wouldn't. Only a person brought up poorly would. Plus it sounds like you've figured out that you can manipulate people by pretending to be polite. Insincere/duplicitous. Best Advice - "To USE basketball and NOT let basketball use ME". It's probably sensible, but in a system in which the employers try and grind out of much as possible from the help, it's a red flag (for them). You have to be too dumb to realize this or too insecure and need to push yourself towards greatness to gain acceptance to become an achiever. I say he is too smart for his own good to become a success. He will always be trying to give the least amount to his overlords. He will win this battle, but, never win the battle against himself (to find out how good he can be). The result is he will good but not great at anything he does. And he will probably always feel underappreciated. expect 15 and 10 maxs and contract hold outs and long contract discussions in the papers and fake injuries and drama.

Aaron Harrison - Favorite Teacher - "...English. ...She really CARES to help me understand things. she...understand the subject and NOT JUST make sure they're brainwashed". Cares to help me? Not just make sure? This is his favorite subject. Not too much between the ears. May have a chance. Too little info.

Jalil Okafor - Over Rated - "... no days OFF is overrated". He may be right, but, it could indicate a laziness or hard headedness that may not bode well in his chosen field. Working on - "Being more dominant on the DEFENSIVE end." Now you can make this claim about almost all ball players now, but, it does indicate a potential unwillingness to work for advancement and a ceiling to his growth. Then again, it is an admission that denotes honesty and an ability to see himself objectively and critically. His other answers suggest he has the right emotional and mental make up. Plus he's only a junior. Let's see if he picks a good school like Southern Cal or Duke.

Jabari Parker - Vs dad in hoops - "...last time we played was in SECOND grade." Daddy issue? Not an uncommon one. Did daddy split? Need more info to see if it manifests as a source of rage (hates authority) or a motivator (need to win his love). Daddy was a player so the psychological damage could have a multiplier effect. Winning state - "....excitement and RELIEF..." Sounds like he finds basketball (and the expectations) to be stressful. He might not be a killer. His other answers were pretty satisfying. I predict success. Probably not an a-hole like Kobe or MJ, but, could reach LeBron-type degree of mental toughness. A little shaky for some of his career (front and back ends), but, solid enough in the prime years or in a situation that coddles him.

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