Make-or-Break Fantasy Football Guys With Matthew Berry. Plus, Malcolm Gladwell on How to Fix Youth Sports.
Aug 23, 2023
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Matthew Berry, a fantasy football expert from NBC Sports, shares his insights on the top 10 make-or-break players for the NFL season, diving into the risks and rewards that fantasy managers face. Meanwhile, Malcolm Gladwell discusses his series on youth sports, suggesting innovative reforms to focus on skill development over competition. He critiques the current system, highlighting the pressures on young athletes and the importance of maintaining a balanced approach. Together, they explore the broader implications of sports culture and personal growth.
Alvin Kamara and J.K. Dobbins are make or break fantasy football players due to their inconsistent performance and potential competition in their respective offenses.
Calvin Ridley's performance is uncertain this season because of his extended absence and changes in the Falcons' offense.
Aaron Rodgers faces challenges with a new offensive line and limited wide receiver options, which could impact his performance.
Bijan Robinson is a make or break player in the Jaguars' backfield due to his high potential and the possibility of competition.
Reforming youth sports by abolishing travel teams, banning parental involvement, and promoting multi-sport participation can provide equal opportunities for skill development and avoid burnout.
Deep dives
Alvin Kamara
Alvin Kamara is a make or break player with a wide range of outcomes due to his injury history, suspension, and potential competition in the backfield.
J.K. Dobbins
J.K. Dobbins is another make or break player, as he has struggled to find consistent volume in the Ravens' run-heavy offense.
Calvin Ridley
Calvin Ridley's performance this season is uncertain due to his extended absence from the field and changes in the Falcons' offense.
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers faces a challenging season with a new offensive line and limited wide receiver options, which could make or break his performance.
Bonus: Bijan Robinson
Bijan Robinson is a make or break player due to his high potential and the potential for competition in the Jaguars' backfield.
The Negative Impact of Travel Teams and Fear-based Parenting
Travel teams in youth sports often operate on fear-based principles, pressuring parents to commit to intense schedules and specialize their children in one sport. This fear of missing out and not discovering their child's true potential can lead to over-involvement and burnout.
The Importance of Removing Parents from Youth Sports
The involvement of parents in youth sports can often add unnecessary pressure and stress. The German approach of banning parents from attending practices and games allows children to focus on their own development and enjoy the game without added distractions or expectations.
Challenging the Idea of Athletic Scholarships
The idea of athletic scholarships is questioned as it drives the parental obsession with youth sports and creates an unhealthy environment. Removing the incentive of financial gain through scholarships could shift the focus back to the enjoyment and development of sports skills without the added pressure of securing college funding.
Reforming Youth Sports
The podcast episode discusses the need for reform in youth sports, particularly in regards to travel squads and formal competition. The speaker highlights the issue of relative age effect, where elite athletes cluster around the age cutoffs for teams. The suggestion is made to abolish travel squads and create a system where teams are segregated by birth month, allowing for more equal opportunities for skill development. Another proposed solution is to ban formal competition before high school, focusing on skill acquisition rather than early competition. The speaker emphasizes the importance of allowing children to play multiple sports and avoid specialization at a young age.
Challenges in College Education
The podcast also touches on the topic of college education and the debate surrounding its value and ranking systems. The speaker points out the inconsistencies and financial aspects of prestigious universities like Harvard and Princeton, highlighting the large endowments these institutions have and their ability to function without doing much. The irrational behavior of individuals donating to these universities despite the surplus left from their endowments is discussed. The episode also mentions the issue of holding kids back a year in school, leading to issues in age-based standardized testing and potential advantages in youth sports. The need for fairer systems and considerations of individual development is emphasized.
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by NBC's Matthew Berry to discuss the top 10 "make-or-break" fantasy football players for the 2023-24 NFL season (2:09). Then, Bill talks with Malcolm Gladwell about his podcast series, 'Revisionist History' (1:01:15), before discussing several ways Malcolm proposes to completely overhaul youth sports in America (1:16:58).
Host: Bill Simmons
Guests: Matthew Berry and Malcolm Gladwell
Producer: Kyle Crichton
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