The Jeremy Tyler Experiment

The New York Times article written by Pete Thamel was pretty negative about Jeremy Tyler and his experience thus far, and the comments throughout the Internet have been worse.

However, I think the public needs to be fair. Is it unusual for an American player to complain about his European club, his contract, his living conditions or other issues? Not al all. When I coached in Ireland, my two American players – both attended four years of college, had one season of professional playing experience and were 25-years-old – complained constantly about the club, the living conditions, the lack of a car, etc. They complained about things written in to their contracts, as if they never bothered to read it before signing.

When I was an exchange student living in Sweden, our club had an American player who played at South Carolina. When he complained at the beginning of the season, the club flew over his girlfriend to try and keep him happy. However, he did not finish the season; he disliked it so much that he left half-way through the season.

Therefore, the complaints, while possibly showing some immaturity, are not so different than many American players who have a sense of entitlement. Imagine Tyler’s culture shock. Forget the actual culture and think only about basketball. Last season, he had ESPN and shoe companies flying his team around the country to play in showcase games against other top preps. Now, I imagine he takes buses or vans to games like many (most) European teams.

Last season, he was a celebrated prep player destined for stardom. Now, he is just another professional player questioning whether he has the mental and physical fortitude to be a successful professional.

Of course, that was the choice that he made. He wanted to be a professional player. However, when people sit at their computers in the States, few actually understand his situation.

Most high-level European teams do not want to play rookies, let alone 18-year-old Americans. Brandon Jennings played less than 18 minutes per game not because he was not good enough, but because coaches in Europe have one or two-year contracts and cannot risk allowing a player to grow and play through his mistakes in a high-level, ultra-competitive league.

I spoke to Maccabi Haifa during the summer, so I know that the management supports its coaches. They told the coaches that they have the patience to allow Tyler to develop and play through mistakes (of course, my club in Ireland told me that they wanted me to develop their young players, and I did, but when losses mounted, the development of young players who started the season languishing in the 2nd Division was not enough to save my job).

That being said, a young player trying to earn playing time has the responsibility to earn playing time. Unfortunately, I think Jennings and Tyler’s trips abroad have shown the level of entitlement that high school players develop once they illustrate their precociousness. Many young players have lost sight of the work ethic that helped them develop their skills initially, and instead expect to get things handed to them because of their name or perceived talent.

In the real world, however, their talent is not unmatched. While dominating average high school players comes easily, playing professional players trying to put food in their kids’ mouths is much different. Many NBA people have commented that Jennings’ Italian education humbled him and has helped him get off to a great rookie season not because he learned a ton on the court, but because he learned to be a professional. If Tyler learns the same lesson this season, he will go a long way toward being the high NBA draft pick in 2011 that everyone once predicted.

Tyler made the hard choice. It would have been much easier to transfer to Mater Dei and play with a team of Division I player in big tournaments across the country and then play one year of college basketball at Kentucky, Louisville Carolina or elsewhere.

Instead, he took a risk. The first couple months, according to Thamel’s article, have not gone as planned. But, the same could be said last year of Jennings. Remember, Jennings and Tyler did not go to Europe to be European stars – they went to Europe to prepare themselves for the NBA. For Jennings, it worked, as he is playing beyond expectations right now. Will it work for Tyler?

That is hard to say. I have never met Tyler so I do not know if he has the emotional ability to persist through the rough patches, learn from his mistakes and come through the experience as a better player and person. His physical tools are evident. Ultimately, his success in Israel and the NBA will be determined by his character and how he is able to turn the current situation – however he perceives it – into a positive one.

~ by Brian McCormick on November 11, 2009.