A 'Millennial Theory'

[JC for 3]

I'm 47, so I've seen enough throughout my years to see the differences in generations. The one common trait that I see among the millennial generation.... laziness. Work ethic just not there. The expectation of 'mom and dad will take care of everything' is evident...especially among teenagers. To get them away from their phones and X-boxes to get them to do something is a monumental task.

Is this what we're seeing with the team's lack of effort in playing defense? With the overall team speed that they have, there is just no reason why they can't stay in front of who they're guarding.

 

[know1]

It's not the millennials fault. It's the generation that raised them.

 

[WildMoon]

Keep telling yourself that. Hypocrisy at its best.

Btw im not millenial.

 

[NCukcat62]

It's not the millennials fault. It's the generation that raised them.

This.

 

[Nubb16]

Isn't your generation to blame for raising them like that?

 

[RMorris33_rivals]

They're playing against other millennials

 

[UKWildcats#8]

I'm 47, so I've seen enough throughout my years to see the differences in generations. The one common trait that I see among the millennial generation.... laziness. Work ethic just not there. The expectation of 'mom and dad will take care of everything' is evident...especially among teenagers. To get them away from their phones and X-boxes to get them to do something is a monumental task.

Is this what we're seeing with the team's lack of effort in playing defense? With the overall team speed that they have, there is just no reason why they can't stay in front of who they're guarding.

Your generation sucks worse...as you raised them like that.

Stupid theory. All the guys that were on the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 teams were millennials as well you goof lol

 

[straykat]

I'm 47, so I've seen enough throughout my years to see the differences in generations. The one common trait that I see among the millennial generation.... laziness. Work ethic just not there. The expectation of 'mom and dad will take care of everything' is evident...especially among teenagers. To get them away from their phones and X-boxes to get them to do something is a monumental task.

Is this what we're seeing with the team's lack of effort in playing defense? With the overall team speed that they have, there is just no reason why they can't stay in front of who they're guarding.

Aren't the players on the other millennials as well?

 

[TIE543]

This is a stupid theory. Everyone else playing college basketball right now is also a millenial. And those millenials were all raised by your generation.

 

[Jazzycat]

I see it more as a coaching issue. If you build your scheme around preparing guys for the NBA versus putting together the best elements that will produce a unified team that has a chance to win a lot of games, you will have a different outcome. Now, I recognize that Cal recruits players to win games. But, I do not see much discipline as a motivational tool to get the players in a 'team think mode.' If players know that they are the priority and the building of a championship team is second, then players can take plays and games off without consequences. A player first program is great until you get a group of kids who are about self promotion and winning is a byproduct of that goal, not a core objective. Jmo

 

[The_Godfather_rivals]

I'm 47, so I've seen enough throughout my years to see the differences in generations. The one common trait that I see among the millennial generation.... laziness. Work ethic just not there. The expectation of 'mom and dad will take care of everything' is evident...especially among teenagers. To get them away from their phones and X-boxes to get them to do something is a monumental task.

Is this what we're seeing with the team's lack of effort in playing defense? With the overall team speed that they have, there is just no reason why they can't stay in front of who they're guarding.

You just paraphrased a quote that a 47 year old made 30 years ago.

 

[JC for 3]

...just a thought, fellas. Not trying to cause trouble. Just at a loss as to how these guys are having such difficulty on the defensive end. When Bam stepped aside to let Blakeney go to the basket last night, I'm leaning more toward his mindset of trying to stay out of foul trouble that Cal has instilled in him. I think he had 3 fouls at that point. Other than this instance, it is just very difficult to determine a logical reason for the team-wide issue of playing defense.

 

[StubbornPenny]

This thread is bad and you should feel bad. Teenagers have always been lazy and hard to motivate on the whole. Spare me the "I had eight jobs by the time I was 11" stuff, most teenagers are just impossible to deal with.

It has nothing to do with millennials. Your parents said the same thing about your generation and theirs said the same about about them and so on and so on. It's a never ending cycle of people thinking that they and they alone are the hardest working, smartest, most motivated person in the world and everyone else needs to catch up. News flash: they aren't, they just can't see ten inches outside of their self centered bubble.

If anything the thing keeping them from playing defense is the fact that they'll be multi millionaires in 4 months, which certainly isn't a problem most millennials have. As far as the role players, Willis was never a good defender anyway, and Gabriel is learning.

(FYI: I'm 35 and have two jobs, my gf is 29 and she has a full time job too. Three years ago we were both in an employment crisis. I'm sure plenty were lining up to call us lazy then, and it was just as wrong then as it is now.)

 

[UKGrad93]

These kids are not part of the millennial generation, they are generation Z or post millennials. But never mind all that, it's not a generational issue, it's a youth & talent issue. These guys are talented and have never had to work hard to have results. Now they are playing against others with similar talent that have learned to work hard.

The same thing happens in other areas.

 

[kybassfan]

As has been stated, pretty much all the kids in the game now are millennials. I did have to laugh at the posts blaming it on the parents. Isn't one trait of a millennial to refuse to accept responsibility for themselves?

 

[poppycat]

I'm 47, so I've seen enough throughout my years to see the differences in generations. The one common trait that I see among the millennial generation.... laziness. Work ethic just not there. The expectation of 'mom and dad will take care of everything' is evident...especially among teenagers. To get them away from their phones and X-boxes to get them to do something is a monumental task.

Is this what we're seeing with the team's lack of effort in playing defense? With the overall team speed that they have, there is just no reason why they can't stay in front of who they're guarding.

That's why we pay coaches...........BIG$$$$$$$

 

[d2atTech]

I see it more as a coaching issue. If you build your scheme around preparing guys for the NBA versus putting together the best elements that will produce a unified team that has a chance to win a lot of games, you will have a different outcome. Now, I recognize that Cal recruits players to win games. But, I do not see much discipline as a motivational tool to get the players in a 'team think mode.' If players know that they are the priority and the building of a championship team is second, then players can take plays and games off without consequences. A player first program is great until you get a group of kids who are about self promotion and winning is a byproduct of that goal, not a core objective. Jmo

This is the most concise and clear explanation of what we are witnessing. On the flip side, if a player did not have preexisting ties to the school or the state, why would someone want to go to Kentucky other than to get more exposure? It works to our advantage as well, but it is Cal's responsiblity (being paid the big bucks and all) to turn this into a system that works for all.

Here is a way we can incent him to do this: change his pay structure. Pay him a million dollars per year salary and benefits. $5M bonus every year he gets to a final four, an extra $5M on top of that if he wins a championship. Now this is results driven compensation.

 

[willyclyde]

Those damn teenagers and their cell phones and internet machines. It's all their fault.

 

[canebreak]

I'm 47, so I've seen enough throughout my years to see the differences in generations. The one common trait that I see among the millennial generation.... laziness. Work ethic just not there. The expectation of 'mom and dad will take care of everything' is evident...especially among teenagers. To get them away from their phones and X-boxes to get them to do something is a monumental task.

Is this what we're seeing with the team's lack of effort in playing defense? With the overall team speed that they have, there is just no reason why they can't stay in front of who they're guarding.

My theory is that this you have a lazy theory...and I am older than you, but not by a lot.

I like this generation a lot. But I do think they are lacking in some basic wisdom, or maybe a better way to put it is that they are somewhat naive.

 

[StubbornPenny]

This is the most concise and clear explanation of what we are witnessing. On the flip side, if a player did not have preexisting ties to the school or the state, why would someone want to go to Kentucky other than to get more exposure? It works to our advantage as well, but it is Cal's responsiblity (being paid the big bucks and all) to turn this into a system that works for all.

Here is a way we can incent him to do this: change his pay structure. Pay him a million dollars per year salary and benefits. $5M bonus every year he gets to a final four, an extra $5M on top of that if he wins a championship. Now this is results driven compensation.

Not a single upper tier coach in America would agree to that contract. BCG might.

 

[jwheat]

If it wasn't for all you baby boomers and your mountains of debt is millenials would be better off

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

Let me be the first to let the OP know that those damn kids are playing on his lawn again. Better hurry up and turn the hose on em before the next episode of Matlock begins....

 

[ArtSmass]

When people say "but their opponent who won are millenials too" I think is based on an errant syllogism. It's not that the critic is saying ALL millenials are lazy, etc., but that the society in which millenials had their habits formed ENCOURAGES laziness, feeling entitled, etc.

It's NOT that every millenial falls into it, just that one particular group of two on a particular night has fallen victim moreso than the other.

When Jeff Walz at UofL & Masiello at Manhattan criticized their own teams for having "millenial disease," to me, they were heaping more criticism on THEMSELVES for not doing a good enough job recruiting toward finding those in this generation who are EXCEPTIONS to what many accept is the 'rule' for that generation...because OBVIOUSLY, some other coach was able to (the coach whose team just beat them).

 

[Old Blue Fart]

If it wasn't for all you baby boomers and your mountains of debt is millenials would be better off

Hold on there young man.
This is about basketball, but that statement hits a deep nerve with me.
You are dead wrong. My generation paid for things as we go. Called, "living within your means".
It was under Obama that the national debt went thru the roof. Granted, under Bush it started growing with the wars too.
I will stand and argue this till hell freezes over. Our debt is because of out of control spending by a certain party that wants to take care of the world.
To long in this country our leaders have spent taxpayer money like it was an endless credit card.

It was a time when you bought a starter house, paid on it for a few years, sold it, moved up and so on. Now, I see kids coming out of college, get married, and BAM, they buy a $400,000 house, two new cars, take super nice vacations and wonder why they don't have a pot to **** in.

Just because you can buy it doesn't mean you have to.
The debt is something that will bring this country down to its knees unless people like you, the millennial's, start to care and want something down about it.

The current team is just a product of our microwave society. I want it now. These 18-19 yr olds. have been told they are one and done, ready to make millions, and for a coach to try and get them to think differently, is a big job.
Coach Cal is the best at doing this, but like Forrest said, "one and done's are like a box of chocolates".

 

[Saguaro Cat]

.. Just at a loss as to how these guys are having such difficulty on the defensive end.

WHEN I DON'T KNOW SOMETHING, I JUST OPEN MY MOUTH AND LET WORDS TUMBLE OUT OF IT. THAT WAY, AT LEAST I AM STILL TALKING.

Here's a tip for everyone on the internet. If you don't know something, don't talk about it. Economics, Oscars, global warming, parenting, SKJ. There's no law that you have to post on every subject.

 

[4UK]

Hold on there young man.
This is about basketball, but that statement hits a deep nerve with me.
You are dead wrong. My generation paid for things as we go. Called, "living within your means".
It was under Obama that the national debt went thru the roof. Granted, under Bush it started growing with the wars too.
I will stand and argue this till hell freezes over. Our debt is because of out of control spending by a certain party that wants to take care of the world.
To long in this country our leaders have spent taxpayer money like it was an endless credit card.

It was a time when you bought a starter house, paid on it for a few years, sold it, moved up and so on. Now, I see kids coming out of college, get married, and BAM, they buy a $400,000 house, two new cars, take super nice vacations and wonder why they don't have a pot to **** in.

Just because you can buy it doesn't mean you have to.
The debt is something that will bring this country down to its knees unless people like you, the millennial's, start to care and want something down about it.

The current team is just a product of our microwave society. I want it now. These 18-19 yr olds. have been told they are one and done, ready to make millions, and for a coach to try and get them to think differently, is a big job.
Coach Cal is the best at doing this, but like Forrest said, "one and done's are like a box of chocolates".

I don't know why I bother with this, because it will only spiral downhill. But we live in a world where "facts" no longer matter, and if concerned people don't try to fix that, it will never change. The debt has nothing to do with a "certain party." In fact, the debt first skyrocketed - compared to previous levels - under Ronald Reagan. The first Bush and Clinton did a much better job with it. Then it skyrocketed again under George W. Bush and continued out of control under Obama. During that time, control of Congress shifted back and forth between both parties, and neither did much to address it. And even today, with power now resting with one party, there is virtually no talk of debt reduction. This is an institutional problem, not a party problem.

 

[Old Blue Fart]

Social programs have skyrocketed under the Democrats. Not knocking Democrats, but social programs are their baby.
Your right about the facts, they do not matter anymore.

When we spend more than we take in, the money has to come from somewhere. We either print more of it, sell debt to China and others and continue to turn our heads.

Facts show young people today do not save the way their parents did.
Both parties BS the people of this country. Still, that does not mean individuals have to act financially like our political leaders.

 

[jwheat]

Hold on there young man.
This is about basketball, but that statement hits a deep nerve with me.
You are dead wrong. My generation paid for things as we go. Called, "living within your means".
It was under Obama that the national debt went thru the roof. Granted, under Bush it started growing with the wars too.
I will stand and argue this till hell freezes over. Our debt is because of out of control spending by a certain party that wants to take care of the world.
To long in this country our leaders have spent taxpayer money like it was an endless credit card.

It was a time when you bought a starter house, paid on it for a few years, sold it, moved up and so on. Now, I see kids coming out of college, get married, and BAM, they buy a $400,000 house, two new cars, take super nice vacations and wonder why they don't have a pot to **** in.

Just because you can buy it doesn't mean you have to.
The debt is something that will bring this country down to its knees unless people like you, the millennial's, start to care and want something down about it.

The current team is just a product of our microwave society. I want it now. These 18-19 yr olds. have been told they are one and done, ready to make millions, and for a coach to try and get them to think differently, is a big job.
Coach Cal is the best at doing this, but like Forrest said, "one and done's are like a box of chocolates".

I'm talking about personal debt, grandpa. Not national debt.

 

[VAWildcat15]

Our sires' age was worse than our grandsires'. We, their sons, are more
worthless than they; so in our turn we shall give the world a progeny yet more corrupt. - Horace, circa 20 BC

Whither are the manly vigor and athletic appearance of our forefathers flown? Can these be their legitimate heirs? Surely, no; a race of effeminate, self-admiring, emaciated fribbles can never have descended in a direct line from the heroes of Potiers and Agincourt... - Valerie Steele, 1771

These are all the quotes I feel like pulling up, but consider this my response to the idea that being "millennial" has anything to do with anything.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Doubt it.

All generations worship the one one or two before them and demonize the current one. I'm Gen X. All I heard growing up was how ****** and lazy we were. Now my generation is saying the same thing about Millenials.

 

[Old Blue Fart]

I see this is going like Sunday dinner with my two son-in-laws! LOL

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

As a non millennial and assistant coach of kids, got to stick up for the young kids. They haven't changed as much as the atmosphere and emphasis around sports has. It's magnified with elite athletes who have potential to play in professionally. It's not about the young people--it's just very difficult when they are hearing of "brand" and are "mini corporations" to the people that surround and are viewing them as a meal ticket/employer and not as a person.

Transfer that to what UK/Cal have to deal with. Elite talent is great to get because it keeps you contending. Doesn't guarantee anything-but it keeps you in the mix and eventually you can/will breakthrough. However, it has to be accepted that what is best for the team/player's "brand" is to win games/championships or at least contend. Accepting a role isn't for everyone--but we all know one thing about Cal no matter if you are/aren't happy with how this season/his coaching has been to this point-he's a straight shooter. He's going to tell you it's hard, spotlight is burning and when wanting the exposure provided to help you, it also exposes flaws and many look/find flaws and exaggerate based on not liking the coach/program you play for. Last phrase being key--25 years from now there will be more people knowing you played at UK or whatever other college program you choose more then professionally. I personally love all levels of basketball but many don't. So while I pull for young people to excel and achieve their dreams, I get the "wish they'd stay longer" portion of fans.

What I've been most impressed with the UK fanbase, is they don't even expect that any longer-they just want a team who will spill their guts and fight to win. Losing happens and as long as you play in a 1 and done format for a champion of a sport, you will lose far more then you win/finish the end goal. Doesn't mean fans expect/demand that-but they want to see you play at a level you show that does matter--whether you care as much as they do doesn't matter--are you willing to play to best of your ability?

One word of advice from friend who works with these kids-the more you can do on a court and for your team the more valuable you are to any coach and any program--be it recruiting or selecting after your college career ends. It's as important to your brand as anything. Winning, playing hard, achieving and showing a versatile manner to contribute usually equates to having a job in basketball. Putting yourself ahead of others will haunt you and never ends up well. Cal's had a lot of players better then anyone on this year's team and he's coached far better teams. Doesn't mean you can't adjust and make this a special team/season--just means you better listen/not fight a guy who will always have last word.

 

[JC for 3]

I laughed at the 'KY Joe' pic.

 

[MegaBlue05]

I don't know why I bother with this, because it will only spiral downhill. But we live in a world where "facts" no longer matter, and if concerned people don't try to fix that, it will never change. The debt has nothing to do with a "certain party." In fact, the debt first skyrocketed - compared to previous levels - under Ronald Reagan. The first Bush and Clinton did a much better job with it. Then it skyrocketed again under George W. Bush and continued out of control under Obama. During that time, control of Congress shifted back and forth between both parties, and neither did much to address it. And even today, with power now resting with one party, there is virtually no talk of debt reduction. This is an institutional problem, not a party problem.

Nailed it.

Both parties share equal blame in the deficit and it's a government problem; not just red or just blue. Both have their pet projects (social programs/entitlements for Dems, bloated military/corporate handouts for the GOP). If wingnuts from either side blame the other party without taking a look in the mirror at their own, they're hypocrites. Reagan started it by tripling the size of the federal government and the others added on over time, with the last two POTUSs accelerating the process big time.

Millenials actually face a greater personal debt burden than previous generations because prices/costs have gone way up and wages are stagnant with no end in sight. To illustrate my point, when I started working as a grocery bagger in 1996 I was making $5.15 an hour, but gas was .89 cents a gallon and a Big Mac meal at McDonalds was $2.99. Now, the same job would pay $7.25 but gas and the Bg Mac meal have more than doubled. Basically, $7.25 now is worth less than $5.15 was 20 years ago.

 

[jwheat]

Doubt it.

All generations worship the one one or two before them and demonize the current one. I'm Gen X. All I heard growing up was how ****** and lazy we were. Now my generation is saying the same thing about Millenials.

Except they didn't lie about yal being lazy

 

[d2atTech]

Not a single upper tier coach in America would agree to that contract. BCG might.

then no single upper tier coach in America has confidence that their strategy and approach to the team is legitimate. I'm sure Saban and Alabama would agree to this in a heartbeat. It's mutually beneficial. I see Cal and Kentucky in the same way.

 

[*CatinIL*]

It's the Reptilians fault...

The Grays are much more hospitable...

 

[Double Oaked Juice]

Sorry, OP.

I get that the baby boomers love to hate on millennials, but anyone (even a millennial) who is playing high major, college basketball at a program like Kentucky didn't make it to that position by being lazy.

 

[StubbornPenny]

then no single upper tier coach in America has confidence that their strategy and approach to the team is legitimate. I'm sure Saban and Alabama would agree to this in a heartbeat. It's mutually beneficial. I see Cal and Kentucky in the same way.

1. No he wouldn't
2. Football is so insanely different it isn't applicable

No coach would do it because there'd always be someone else to pay them a regular salary. When you get to the upper tiers of coaching, you don't coach on a "show me" basis. No one does or would. That's why no top coaches have a contract like that.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Didn't the Who sing about this 50 years ago...

"People try to put us down...talkin bout my generation."

Same old argument. The past is better, the future is bleak.

It's called romanticism. The longing for the past as a better time.

I am a teacher, and I hear about it all the time from other teachers.

"We didn't do that when we were in school."

Yes we did. Maybe you didn't, but collectively we did.

"But we worked harder."

No we didn't. Maybe you did, but collectively we didn't.

It's not the kids that have changed, it's that your perspective has changed.

So I get tired of kids having their phones out all the time, but if I had that technology when I was a teen you better believe I would have been using it.

They text in class, we passed notes in class. What is the difference? They play games on their apps, we played tic tac toe or doodled in class. What is the difference?

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

There is nothing wrong with this generation.