On Yogi’s Leadership, Lucky Socks, and That Respectable Loss at The Barn

[DocLibby 761]

When Yogi plays well, we win. When he doesn’t play well, we lose. 

I read this in a post recently.

At first glance it is likely to be a misconstrued as a conceited statement, but the statistics tell the tale. I worry what this does to Yogi’s psyche.

The coaches want him to be a leader. The fans want him to be a leader. His teammates need a leader. He wants to be a leader.

He IS a leader.

I have watched the disappointed face of this Indiana-raised kid when he is unable to give the fans and coaches what they want — a win.

New year, new role

Sure I miss the days of Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller, but it is so exciting to see the growth that Yogi has made in their absence. The 2012-2013 season was a great year for Indiana basketball, but there was a small part of me that would have liked to see Yogi shoot more.

He worked on that shot … for years.  I remember sleeping on the bleachers at the local church gym while Yogi played basketball with other fourth and fifth graders (including Jeremy Hollowell) well past midnight.

I know what kind of shot he had. The locals knew his shot. But the nation had yet to see it. He embraced his role last year as a facilitator. He did what was asked. He is great at doing what is requested.

Coach Ed Schilling and Coach Crean love the fact that he is a coachable athlete — a coaches dream, I’m told. It is an invaluable trait.

Although we lost a lot of talent from last year’s team (74% of our points), I believe Yogi is still surrounded with plenty of raw talent, seen in Noah Vonleh, Stanford Robinson, and Troy Williams, among others.

Am I allowed to say that Yogi is the face of this Indiana team, without people taking it as a discredit to all the other developing talent on the team?

They help Yogi just as much as he helps them. They are individually good, but we need for them to be good together.

We all want to see the TEAM fire on all cylinders.

Emotional leadership

People often tell me that they rarely see any emotion from Yogi on the court. That’s funny, because I see it after every made or missed field goal attempt.

Perhaps that’s just a Mom reading the face she has known all her life.

I challenge you to watch closely at the next game:

• The eyebrow raise as he backs down the court after a made field goal …
• The corner of his mouth that turns up in a grin when he gets a defender into foul trouble …
• The stern look he gives his teammates when he wants them to get it together to produce another win when they are down by a bucket with only seconds left on the clock.

Yogi’s passion for the game is undeniable. Passion in this game is not only an emotion. It’s also a lifeline.

When it’s just me and the TV (and my lucky socks)

Watching the Minnesota game at home away from the glaring eyes and the perked-up ears of people around is an outlet for me. It allows me to say things that I would most likely not utter with people around.

My tweets give a hint of it.

Don’t get me wrong: my loyalty never wavers for this team. I love Coach Crean and have learned to trust his judgement on things I used to question — substitutions, the zone.

Watching at home allows me to become more animated.  I rant at the television as if it will absorb my words and magically change the outcome of the game.

I hope that my enthusiasm will emanate to the players and increase our chances of a win.

I wear my lucky socks. I take a knee on free throws and hold my breath on threes. I deny all phone calls. If you are my friend, you will not call me during a game.

Seem intense? Well it is.

A tough (but encouraging) loss at The Barn

My tactics seemed to be working during the first half of the Minnesota game.

My pre-game prediction showed in the first few minutes.

Pregame prediction–I feel @troywilliams_ turning it up a notch. Let's watch and see #iubb

— Doc Libby (@DocLibby) February 9, 2014

Thank you Troy, for turning it up a notch.

In fact, it appeared as if the team came out with zest in the beginning of the game rather than mustering up half-desperate shots with the clock winding down at the end of the full-court battle.

A play-by-play of the 2nd half isn’t necessary, because the ending doesn’t change. Simply, it was not enough to add to the win column.

Is there such thing as a respectable loss? Maybe that’s just a term I concocted to take the sting away. These losses show hints of a team that will be.

This team is on the verge of a breakthrough.

Flickr Creative Commons Image by WFIU Public Radio

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[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

For those who don't know, Yogi's mom, & BtownBanners Member Doc Libby, has taken to the interwebz to post about her experiences as a sports parent. As an Indiana junkie like most of us all, this is some great content and inside look into one of our most important players and some behind the scenes info. You can check out all of her writing at [url]http://www.DocLibby.net[/URL] but we will do our best to always post them here as well. Enjoy!

When Yogi plays well, we win. When he doesn’t play well, we lose. I read this in a post recently. At first glance it is likely to be a misconstrued as a conceited statement, but the statistics tell the tale. I worry what this does to Yogi’s psyche. The coaches want him to be a leader. The fans want him to be a leader. His teammates need a leader. He wants to be a leader. He IS a leader. I have watched the disappointed face of this Indiana-raised kid when he is unable to give the fans and coaches what they want — a win. New year, new role Sure I miss the days of Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller, but it is so exciting to see the growth that Yogi has made in their absence. The 2012-2013 season was a great year for Indiana basketball, but there was a small part of me that would have liked to see Yogi shoot more. He worked on that shot … for years. I remember sleeping on the bleachers at the local church gym while Yogi played basketball with other fourth and fifth graders (including Jeremy Hollowell) well past midnight. I know what kind of shot he had. The locals knew his shot. But the nation had yet to see it. He embraced his role last year as a facilitator. He did what was asked. He is great at doing what is requested. Coach Ed Schilling and Coach Crean love the fact that he is a coachable athlete — a coaches dream, I’m told. It is an invaluable trait. Although we lost a lot of talent from last year’s team (74% of our points), I believe Yogi is still surrounded with plenty of raw talent, seen in Noah Vonleh, Stanford Robinson, and Troy Williams, among others. Am I allowed to say that Yogi is the face of this Indiana team, without people taking it as a discredit to all the other developing talent on the team? They help Yogi just as much as he helps them. They are individually good, but we need for them to be good together. We all want to see the TEAM fire on all cylinders. Emotional leadership People often tell me that they rarely see any emotion from Yogi on the court. That’s funny, because I see it after every made or missed field goal attempt...

Continue reading at [url]http://doclibby.net/2014/02/09/on-yogis-leadership-lucky-socks-and-that-respectable-loss-at-the-barn/[/URL] Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

[Hovadipo 54,963]

Awesome read. Hadn't heard of this until now. Really interesting perspective.


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[BlueDevil 8,655]

Really cool perspective to see from the eyes of yogis mother. Thanks for posting this.

[djsalway 4,161]

That's awesome. Thanks for posting. I think when Yogi leaves here in a few years, we will look back and appreciate everything he did for us, just like we did with the guys last year. Sure, we can be hard on him now, but he when we look back, he will be one of the greats.

[Stuhoo 79,586]

Doc Libby rocks.

 

Not just because she provides plenty of insight, but also because her perspective is (or at least, should be) a much needed reality check for those on boards that alternate between euphoria and "the sky is falling".

 

Great stuff.

[BubbleKnuts 569]

It's true. When he plays a good game, we win. If not, we lose. Not a recipe for success, however. He can't do it all.


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[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

Welcome to the site Doc!  Look forward to seeing your posts more often

[Hwy 1 2,053]

I think we need to get rid of that spectator title and make the lady an instant VIP. Thanks for posting and I hope it isn't the last one!

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

[quote name="Hwy 1" post="36870" timestamp="1392066316"]I think we need to get rid of that spectator title and make the lady an instant VIP. Thanks for posting and I hope it isn't the last one![/quote]

I think we just may have to do that :)


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[DocLibby 761]

Just want to thank everybody for your positive feedback! It's encouraging for a new writer. I'll keep it coming. Basketball and Yogi definitely give me inspiration :) Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

[yogisballin 2,295]

Love you post Libby! My 11 year old son's favorite bball player (including NBA) is Yogi!!!!!

[DocLibby 761]

[quote name="yogisballin" post="36931" timestamp="1392085033"]Love you post Libby! My 11 year old son's favorite bball player (including NBA) is Yogi!!!!![/quote]

Awesome! Love your screen name ❤️


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[Hwy 1 2,053]

I think we just may have to do that :)


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What's the hold up 41? You guys gotta take a vote or something? Mods, can't live with them, can't ban them.  :angry: :P :wink:

[OliviaPope40 6,426]

At least we finally have someone on the board with some inside info and nicely done.

[mdn82 25,510]

[quote name="DocLibby" post="36919" timestamp="1392081513"]Just want to thank everybody for your positive feedback! It's encouraging for a new writer. I'll keep it coming. Basketball and Yogi definitely give me inspiration :)Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners[/quote]
Thank you very much for your perspective. It is refreshing to see someone so close to the program who questions things, but ultimately trusts the man who is directly impacting her son. As a parent I don't know how you do it. I am very protective and with the level of scrutiny your son lives with at a place like IU, it is impressive everyone handles it with such class. As an alum I am grateful for the way he represents us.


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[Naturalhoosier 15,407]

I finally had the time to read your post(s) and it was worth the wait!!!! Thank you Doc. For bringing your insight. For allowing us to be part of your private life, if even the slimmest amount. And ultimately for raising a respectable young man who I encourage my children to look up to. Thank you. Nice work Mom!


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[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

What's the hold up 41? You guys gotta take a vote or something? Mods, can't live with them, can't ban them.  :angry: :P :wink:

 

 

Not to fear.  [member='Doclibby'] is now a G.O.A.T. VIP Member.  The highest classification we allow!

[DocLibby 761]

[quote name="IU Hoosier41" post="37144" timestamp="1392176624"]Not to fear. [member='Doclibby'] is now a G.O.A.T. VIP Member. The highest classification we allow![/quote

I am honored for sure!!

[JaybobHoosier 11,839]

Welcome Doc, great stuff! Let us mods/admins know if we can be of any help around here. Keep writing! Give Yogi our best, and Go Hoosiers!

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