Today, I take on the topic of drama in the locker room. Some people embrace it, it gives the team an attitude, identity, something to work with and shows passion. Some think that the drama guys in the locker room only hurt the team. Some think having one guy with attitude is good, but too much of a good thing sours fast. So, what do I think? Well drama gives a team identity, so to me that’s a good thing. This identity will bring about two very different reactions, and for some they will rally behind the calls of the team, whether it be the players, fans, or front office. For others however, they quickly shy away as they do not any intentions to be a part of a team filled with drama.
Let’s look specifically at rookies now. Should a rookie hold out if he doesn’t like the team that drafted him? Should a rookie just sit back, play the rookie deal and earn his way into the league? Should a rookie burn bridges with teams that may look to draft him before they’ve ever had the chance to truly get to know each other? To me, a rookie should be smart about the words he has spoken and the path he walks. Plenty of teams will look past someone who acts entitled, or doesn’t seem like a team player. I get being upset that you feel like you should be a high draft pick, and I get that teams not talking to you is a bit of a turn off. I get wanting clear communication between yourself (or agent) and the team, and I understand that you want to go to a team that wants you, but man up, eat your pride and earn your way. A rookie should only really hold out if he feels like the team is doing him wrong in the terms of a contract, if he is looking at what other players of his caliber have gotten or are getting and he feels like there is a bad deal that the team is offering. If the team is giving you a good deal, offering you a place on the team, play the contract out, earn your keeps and make the teams realize that disrespecting you was the biggest mistake they made.
Next, I’m going to look at free agents and trade targets. Should a player leave the team that drafted him because he gets a better offer? Should a team communicate their intent to trade a player, and get his input on the situation? Should a player hold out if he feels like he deserves a better deal, or an extension? First, I put my stock into what you show me on the field, if you feel like you deserve the money and go to a different team, you better have shown why the year before and the year after. Leaving a team because you feel like they didn’t give you enough playing time, when you didn’t show that you could be a starter makes you look like a bit of a baby. The other players pay attention to stuff like that, and if you seem like a problem in the locker room there is a better chance that you are in there alone, unwanted, and then you don’t feel like you’re part of the team. Next, a player deserves to know the plans the team has for him. If the team plans to give him an extension, the team should communicate that, if the team plans to trade him, they should tell him and tell him who has been in contact about acquiring him. If someone finds out about being cut or traded via social media the team has done that player dirty, and I hope the next team on his path treats him better than the last team.
Now, I’m going to look at locker room drama. What should be done when two players have a problem with each other? First you should try to figure out what caused the problem. Does one player feel like his playing time is has lessened because of this other player? Did one player insult the other? Did they argue about what type of food they like? If they have a problem with what food the other eats, well that’s childish and should fix itself. If they are insulting each other then they are like brothers, and the locker room is close. OK not really, but anything that seems to have been insulting should be fixed easily by the players talking it out. It could have been something that was said that the one didn’t realize was offensive, it could have been on purpose, I don’t know and what matters is the team being a unit. If a player feels like he is losing playing time he should go to the coach, and not fight with the other player in question. If the situation arises that playing time is the issue, the coach should tell the player in question why he may be losing playing time, instead of letting them speculate. Whether it be the way the offense or defense is ran that requires more people to get involved, if they feel like the other player is not performing up to standard, or for any other reason, they should communicate with the players every step of the way.
What about drama on the field? Let’s say two teams fighting each other, how should that be handled? To me, it’s easy. The league needs to get involved and tell the teams to keep it clean and make sure bad blood is only on the field. Everyone is working towards the same goals, everyone has the same end in mind, and rivalries can get heated on that path to the playoffs. I get not liking the other team, plenty of other sports have their share of fights and problems on the field of play, but leave it on the field and don’t try to injure other players because you don’t like the team or you just want an easier path to the playoffs.
So, when it’s all said and done, who really needs drama? Why would you want drama when you could quietly build a championship team? Everyone has a passion for the game, they wouldn’t play if they didn’t. Whether that passion involves being the best there ever was, winning a championship, or just making money, everyone has a reason to play and drama is not one of those reasons. I know if I was a GM I would take a good player who is reliable over a better player who is a bit more dramatic and hurts the team with his nonsense. I guy who shows his passion but keeps it directed at the goals in mind, beating the other team and winning the Ultimus trophy, is always welcome in my locker room. A guy who is in it for himself is not going to last in the league.
Thanks for reading about why I think drama is not really necessary to build a team of champions.
(1192 words, ready to be graded)
Graded
Let’s look specifically at rookies now. Should a rookie hold out if he doesn’t like the team that drafted him? Should a rookie just sit back, play the rookie deal and earn his way into the league? Should a rookie burn bridges with teams that may look to draft him before they’ve ever had the chance to truly get to know each other? To me, a rookie should be smart about the words he has spoken and the path he walks. Plenty of teams will look past someone who acts entitled, or doesn’t seem like a team player. I get being upset that you feel like you should be a high draft pick, and I get that teams not talking to you is a bit of a turn off. I get wanting clear communication between yourself (or agent) and the team, and I understand that you want to go to a team that wants you, but man up, eat your pride and earn your way. A rookie should only really hold out if he feels like the team is doing him wrong in the terms of a contract, if he is looking at what other players of his caliber have gotten or are getting and he feels like there is a bad deal that the team is offering. If the team is giving you a good deal, offering you a place on the team, play the contract out, earn your keeps and make the teams realize that disrespecting you was the biggest mistake they made.
Next, I’m going to look at free agents and trade targets. Should a player leave the team that drafted him because he gets a better offer? Should a team communicate their intent to trade a player, and get his input on the situation? Should a player hold out if he feels like he deserves a better deal, or an extension? First, I put my stock into what you show me on the field, if you feel like you deserve the money and go to a different team, you better have shown why the year before and the year after. Leaving a team because you feel like they didn’t give you enough playing time, when you didn’t show that you could be a starter makes you look like a bit of a baby. The other players pay attention to stuff like that, and if you seem like a problem in the locker room there is a better chance that you are in there alone, unwanted, and then you don’t feel like you’re part of the team. Next, a player deserves to know the plans the team has for him. If the team plans to give him an extension, the team should communicate that, if the team plans to trade him, they should tell him and tell him who has been in contact about acquiring him. If someone finds out about being cut or traded via social media the team has done that player dirty, and I hope the next team on his path treats him better than the last team.
Now, I’m going to look at locker room drama. What should be done when two players have a problem with each other? First you should try to figure out what caused the problem. Does one player feel like his playing time is has lessened because of this other player? Did one player insult the other? Did they argue about what type of food they like? If they have a problem with what food the other eats, well that’s childish and should fix itself. If they are insulting each other then they are like brothers, and the locker room is close. OK not really, but anything that seems to have been insulting should be fixed easily by the players talking it out. It could have been something that was said that the one didn’t realize was offensive, it could have been on purpose, I don’t know and what matters is the team being a unit. If a player feels like he is losing playing time he should go to the coach, and not fight with the other player in question. If the situation arises that playing time is the issue, the coach should tell the player in question why he may be losing playing time, instead of letting them speculate. Whether it be the way the offense or defense is ran that requires more people to get involved, if they feel like the other player is not performing up to standard, or for any other reason, they should communicate with the players every step of the way.
What about drama on the field? Let’s say two teams fighting each other, how should that be handled? To me, it’s easy. The league needs to get involved and tell the teams to keep it clean and make sure bad blood is only on the field. Everyone is working towards the same goals, everyone has the same end in mind, and rivalries can get heated on that path to the playoffs. I get not liking the other team, plenty of other sports have their share of fights and problems on the field of play, but leave it on the field and don’t try to injure other players because you don’t like the team or you just want an easier path to the playoffs.
So, when it’s all said and done, who really needs drama? Why would you want drama when you could quietly build a championship team? Everyone has a passion for the game, they wouldn’t play if they didn’t. Whether that passion involves being the best there ever was, winning a championship, or just making money, everyone has a reason to play and drama is not one of those reasons. I know if I was a GM I would take a good player who is reliable over a better player who is a bit more dramatic and hurts the team with his nonsense. I guy who shows his passion but keeps it directed at the goals in mind, beating the other team and winning the Ultimus trophy, is always welcome in my locker room. A guy who is in it for himself is not going to last in the league.
Thanks for reading about why I think drama is not really necessary to build a team of champions.
(1192 words, ready to be graded)
Graded
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