The NBA lockout has been a result of an impasse between the owners of the National basketball Association and the representatives of the National Basketball Players’ Association over revenue sharing agreements and wage cuts to offset the owners’ financial losses. There have been numerous failed attempts at reaching agreements between the two parties, but all of them have failed miserably so far.
What has ended up being ignored in the entire controversy is that the people who stand to get most affected by the NBA lockout are the players themselves. Basketball is their source of livelihood and fame, and ignoring the players’ point of view would be a major fallacy on the part of both the media and the warring parties.
The players’ point of view has varied from the mildly self-depreciating to that of frustration with the current state of affairs. One needs to note that basketball psychology dictates that a player is used to being the center of attention, craved by millions, and pursued by their employers and agents for more rewarding contracts. The sudden change of lifestyle can get extremely frustrating, wherein a player has to sit back and wait for the impasse to get resolved.
Those feelings of frustration and strain on basketball mental toughness are perfectly summed up by the reigning MVP of NBA, Derrick Rose. In a freewheeling interview with ESPN, the following is what he had to say:
“Right now, it’s looking pretty tough, but to me I think the lockout is unnecessary,” he said. “There’s no reason why billionaires and millionaires should be arguing about money. There are other things in this world that we should be arguing about, but money shouldn’t be the problem.”
“It’s kind of weird knowing that I don’t have a job right now,” Rose said. “I haven’t felt this way since high school. It’s all positive, though. I’m hoping the season starts no matter when. Hopefully, I don’t have to go overseas.
“I do miss talking to the people at the Bulls organization, my coaching staff. I miss that. But it’s not stressful or anything. I’m not panicking. I’m taking my time.”
It goes on to show how a player like Rose was in top form just a season back, but now has to take an extended break, and maybe even shift base to another country altogether, for him to maintain his edge at the mental game of basketball.
A mental coach would help even a top player like Rose handle the sudden loss of purpose and direction in his career, through judiciously using sports psychology for basketball. As the mental game for basketball places huge demands on players, and such incidents can be shattering to their mental toughness.
DeMarcus Cousins and Tracy McGrady went with a more tongue in cheek approach for the sudden change in their lives owing to the lockout. The former tweeted, “Is walmart hiring?” while the latter quipped, “anybody need their lawn mowed?”lockout” on the micro blogging website. The apparent humor shouldn’t take away the fact that playing basketball week in, week out is an integral part of players’ psychology. Taking that away from them is only going to ruin their careers, and the basketball game in general.
