Quote:
Originally Posted by dinopoker
I disagree with the bolded, actually. Perhaps you're forgetting about guys like these...
And there are numerous other examples from all other sports. None of them are the 'ideal' of what we think people in their respective sports should look like, but they made it anyways, and in fact some of them were among the very best in the game. So what does that tell us? I bet if you looked at what all of these guys have in common you'd find a tremendous amount of dedication and practice and some very, very good coaching. Talent MAY play a part, but I bet it's not nearly as much of a part as we've been lead to believe all these years.
Actually, you are right on with my point! I mentioned Heath, only because he is a personal friend, who is much like your personal fav (Pavin) - small, short off the tee, but a true bulldog grinder. He got where he is through hard work, not pure physical ability (btw, Mugsy & Spud both had verticals of over 40 inches which I consider insane physical ability - Heath's vert is about 14 inches - lol). Heath played on the same high school team w/Boo Weekley & later Bubba Watson & was only recruited by one D1 team - S. Alabama, where he played & became a 1st team All-American. I can tell you with certainty, that he could not have played in the NBA no matter how much time he put into the craft. I agree with you that hard work & great coaching help foster a great desire to reach one's potential.
Just so you all know - I'm not saying talent isn't a factor - I don't believe every person in the world can shoot par. I do believe the average human with desire, time, proper resources & coaching can break 80. To play to scratch or to excel on the PGA Tour takes unbelievable talent in all areas, in addition to a massive desire to reach ones goals.
Here's a story that some of you might find interesting - I've been fortunate to work with some amazing professional athletes (a few are Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan, Kordell Stewart, Steve Smith ((dream team)), Eric Snow, Jerome Bettis, Chris Chandler, John Smoltz, & Dr. J), and I've asked everyone of them if they could have played professionally in a sport other than for which they were known. Everyone said "yes" - obviously a couple did either play or attempt it, but they all felt that had they put their effort into a different sport, they could have played it at a professional level. Eric told me he was better at football, but loved basketball, Kordell was the top point guard in the state his sr. year, but loved football.
So today I'm on the range with Jerome "the Bus", and I'm talking to him about this thread - I asked him what percentage of NFL players is talent & what is hard work. He thought about it & said "in the league - it's 75% talent, 25% hard work - for the elite, top players, it's 95% talent 5% hard work" - he went on to explain that the top, elite players are so good, that when they have that ability & combine it with hard work & desire, they rise above everyone. He also said for every 1 player in the NFL with that elite talent, there are at least 5 who don't make it because they don't have the desire, drive, coaching, or motivation to work hard enough to foster their talent. I mentioned to him a saying I give to high school players "Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard" - - he laughed & said it was in his locker room in high school. FWIW, I asked him about what percentage he thought could break 80 with complete resources - he said he felt anyone with desire could break 80 - a player who couldn't hit it far would learn to chip & putt & play to those strengths, & keep the ball in play, manage their game, etc. When I asked what percentage of people could be scratch with unlimited resources, he felt 25% - he said they would be the same people who are the CEO's, presidents of companies, and leaders because they have the drive to succeed & find their way to the top with or without resources. I felt it was a pretty interesting perspective from someone who has been at the top of the athletic food chain. I asked him if he could have played another sport professionally, and he laughed - Jerome didn't play any football until high school - before then he was the top ranked bowler in the country. He chose football because only 1 school offered a full-ride for bowling - Ohio State. He had bowled a 300 before high-school, but felt football offered more opportunity. I got a good chuckle out of that.
Anyway, it will be interesting to see how this guy progresses. I think we all agree the odds are against him, but we'll see how he does.