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Mentors
A lot of times I hear people say, that a team should bring in a veteran to "mentor" a young player. For example, last year some people defended Kevin Ollie's signing by saying Cleveland needed a veteran mentor who could teach LeBron James how to play point guard. Does this sort of thing ever work?
Maybe every once in awhile, but usually, I think it's a stupid idea. If you want a mentor, hire an assistant coach, like the Rockets did with Patrick Ewing. Players get better by working with their coaches, and by working during the offseason with people like Tim Grover. Veteran players usually are interested in playing, they're rarely interested in teaching younger players how to play the game.
Zoran Planinic didn't do squat this year for the Nets, even though he had Jason Kidd to learn from. If the Pacers have Reggie Miller, how come no other Pacer could hit an outside shot last year.
Is there ever a situation where bringing in a "veteran mentor" is a good idea, and why do fans suggest the idea so often?
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If they think we're going into the stands again, then they have the I.Q. of a rabbit. - Stephen Jackson
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