#1 ·
I was watching some highlights of a youth tournament last night, and it really got me thinking about the sheer weight of expectations placed on kids these days. We live in an era where every talented teenager is immediately branded with a massive legacy or a "prodigy" label before they've even finished high school.
It seems almost unfair. I remember when I played ball in high school; the only people watching were my parents and maybe a few scouts who didn't care if I missed a shot. Now, these kids are under a microscope from day one. If they have a bad day or a shaky start, the internet is ready to write them off instantly. It’s a lot of psychological baggage to carry when you're just trying to enjoy the game you love.
Do you think this hyper-focus on young talent actually helps them develop faster, or does it just set them up for a massive burnout before they even reach the professional level?
It seems almost unfair. I remember when I played ball in high school; the only people watching were my parents and maybe a few scouts who didn't care if I missed a shot. Now, these kids are under a microscope from day one. If they have a bad day or a shaky start, the internet is ready to write them off instantly. It’s a lot of psychological baggage to carry when you're just trying to enjoy the game you love.
Do you think this hyper-focus on young talent actually helps them develop faster, or does it just set them up for a massive burnout before they even reach the professional level?