The Fear to Compete

We lost another BB player yesterday.

He was polite in his statement; Coach Howland was gracious in his. So... let's see.

Mata-Real gone (graduated)
Love gone (no chance to return; a guy can hope, but it ain't gonna happen)
Westbrook gone (no chance to return... or is there?)
Luc Richard gone (chance to return)
Shipp gone (chance to return)
Aboya maybe, uh probably, gone (grad school)

Staying:
Collison (guard)
Dragovic (forward)
Roll (guard/forward)
Keefe (forward, possibly some time at center)

Jerime Anderson (point guard: 6-2) incoming frosh
Drew Gordon (power forward: 6-8... though he might be able to post up) incoming frosh
Jrue Holiday (point guard: 6-3) incoming frosh [5-star recruit]
Malcolm Lee (shooting guard: 6-4) incoming frosh

Is Stanbeck afraid to compete?

Not to disrespect the kid, but, earlier I said that Westbrook had no chance of returning... but I found this note in the Times' Stanbeck story interesting:

None have hired agents, so playing for the Bruins next season remains an option although it's virtually certain that Love won't be back.

Why no mention of Westbrook? Is it possible that he will be returning? Is even the talk of his possible (though I think VERY IMPROBABLE) return enough to cause the 6'-8" guard/forward to bail? As you can see, the list of 09 players above is a little heavy on the guards... if Westbrook returns, then Stanbeck's playing time plummets from its 5.8 minutes per game from this season.

Is this another case of a kid thinking he's entitled to playing time? Is it the fear of competition, of learning -- maybe -- that you're just not as good as you thought? I hope for his case that neither is true. Nothing kills your chances in LIFE faster than the fear of putting yourself out there, of proving yourself to yourself and others in competition at the skill that IS YOUR BEST. [just another thing I LOVE about sport]

To miss out on the chance to compete, to LEARN competitiveness from Howland, and to leave the greatest university in the world... well, it's tragic. Not for us, but for this young man.

Of course, on the plus side, this will give Howland another scholarship with which to find a true "big man."

[and no, I really don't want to talk about our QB situation... or the situation re: the offensive line... can we just wait until Sept. 1... and stay upbeat and undefeated? please?]

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oh, btw:

Saw the doctor yesterday re: Kyle's shoulder. It's either a major strain or a slight tear of the muscle that runs across the top of the shoulder and down the side of his upper arm. He can lift it, but any attempt to go through the throwing motion cause visible pain. Doc wants him out of any physical activity for 10 days. So this weekend's San Diego tournament is out... Kyle's bummed as this would have been his first chance to play for the VCPremier travel team. The coach is understanding... there will be many more opportunities later. If it's not any better: he's to go back to the doc next Tuesday to get further checks... probably an MRI.