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Lionel Hollins: Why Specialization Is Overrated

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Through the 2012-2013 season, Lionel Hollins (@LionelHollins14) was head coach of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. He is an NBA Champion player (starting at guard for the Portland Trailblazers, 1977), and a former NBA All-Star and All-Defensive First Teamer. He is also a sports parent of four children, including one who played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He is now currently working as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Lionel Hollins believes that specialization in one sport is overrated for various reasons. The first reason is that many athletes are heavily pressured by their parents to keep playing a sport that they are not passionate about. This pressure by parents burns their child out and forces children to be independent from their parent’s wishes. The second reason is that specialization doesn’t gives children the opportunity to try other sports that they may actually be better at and enjoy more.