Throughout this month of August tinged with blue, white and red, we have the chance to follow the backstage of the French team in a mini-series entitled “Quotidien”, the third episode of which “Discipline was recently published. In the program ? Respect, rigor, conformity… an overview of everything the Blues must respect in this jersey.
When they play for the French team – and they know this very well – players don’t only have the mission of winning matches. Admittedly, this is probably what makes us vibrate the most on our sofas, but we must not forget that they also represent our nation, and must therefore be exemplary and united at all times. That’s good, since it is precisely this subject that is addressed in “Discipline”, third episode of the “Daily” mini-series. which will allow us to follow the Blues from the inside until the end of EuroBasket in September. After the reunion and the first training sessions, it’s time to put basketball on hold to talk regarding rules and values. But beware, as Rudy Gobert explains very well, there is no question of overdoing it either:
“When we all have the same objective, we have to be aligned. It takes a bit of discipline. We don’t want it to feel like military service, but we still want everyone to be ready to make small sacrifices for the team. – La Gobe
But then what is our national Rudy talking regarding when he talks regarding this famous “discipline”. Well, for example, it can be the fact of respecting the schedules which are indicated or the outfits which are assigned. In the end, we are talking as much regarding rules to follow as values to embody, because the goal of putting this “law” in place is not to constrain our Frenchies, but simply to put them all on the same wavelength. in order to ensure real unity within the group. To do this, a system of fines has been put in place for those who deviate from these same rules. Well, we certainly do not know the amount of the latter, but according to Andrew Albicy, the sanction remains more symbolic than financial, normal what. Set up rather recently – poke Boris Diaw – this system allows the passage to collect a small fund which will perhaps be donated to an association. So ? It’s validated, isn’t it? We have also compiled several Babac interventions in the 2 minute 40 video so that you better understand the spirit that this group wants to embody:
“We are going to remind, for certain players who are new, what is our identity, what are the values of this French team. There are some who have been there for quite a few years, and the goal is also that: each time there are young people, to be able to transmit these values to other generations. Continue to create and maintain a France group culture. Learn at every step, in victory and in defeat. Will, to win medals and titles […]
Everyone is on an equal footing. Eating all meals together… in the NBA we don’t eat meals together. All put on the same t-shirt, have an identical image that shows precisely this unity. –Boris Diaw
With the absence of Nando de Colo, it is the captain of the Blues Evan Fournier who has also collected the burden of having to take care of the outfits and the establishment of fines. Because yes, a rule is essential: the players are in self-discipline and decide themselves the content of the rules to follow and the sanctions in case of breach. Unfortunately for Vavane, the attempt to delegate the job failed miserably, although he might theoretically appoint a scheduler or rookies as Diaw explains. Come on, anyway, go enjoy this little capsule once once more very nice to watch.
If there is something that we cannot blame our French people for, it is for respecting and embracing the role of representative that falls to them once the jersey of the French team is on their backs. On the field and outside, we still have something to be proud of our Blues.
