"I'm Not Playing Because My Coach Plays Favorites"

When NBA Coach Doc Rivers' son asked him to talk to his high school basketball coach about playing time, Doc said "That is something I will not do. I have yet to meet a coach that wants to lose." What did Doc mean? In competitive sports at all levels the objective is to win. In recreation sports the objective is participation for all involved. Would a recreation coach possibly give more playing time to his favorites? Possibly. Would a competitive coach give more playing time to her favorites? Almost never. Why? Because the coach of a competitive high school or college team is unlikely to play his best players, regardless of his personal feelings, in order for the team to have the best chance of winning. This is what Doc Rivers meant. Coaches do not coach to lose. The only scenario on a competitive sports team when a coach could conceivably play a favorite is when 2 players are equally talented and skilled. At the end of the day a player has no control over the coach's decision. So, encourage your kids to try their best to focus on what they can control: their attitude, effort and extra practice to get better.