Agreed. He seemed immense at one stage and it's a real shame that a serious injury has slowed down his progression. But that type of player is desperately needed in my opinion.
1) I think Coates will come good... there seems to be a bit of Lucas about him... obvious talent marred by stupid mistakes... he is in the "uncanny valley" of skill at the moment where he is close to being very good but just in that borderline that makes him awful... ... if that makes sense. 2) Americans have no idea of Geography. But it comes down to the schools. My son is 9 and they haven't even covered the continents in school yet. Or any international geography of any kind. 9 and all they've done is domestic stuff... and that poorly. He has learned anything he knows of geography from me. Social studies just arnt considered important in the US. FYI...I get asked where I'm from all the time... but its funnier when they guess. I've had: Are you Irish, Australian,Swedish,German,French,Canadian,from up North,Jamaican... and my favourite of all... Korean. (I am white with blue eyes)
That is because the head school headquarters where they make all the guidelines and what is important deemed certain subjects and curriculum more important than others. Electives and the arts are just not important in terms of schools staying open, getting funding, etc. It is starting to swing back to where we need to teach more than just math, science, english, and get back to opening the minds again. It is **** mate and stupid, but schools are almost forced to do it so they can get funding.
It is a shame! When I was in FLorida they were cutting the arts programs and were even talking of cutting the sports programs! Needless to say, it didn't go down too well.
Bluff, I think a lot also comes down to the fact kids growing up a couple generations ago didn't really have to know about the world beyond the US borders. Well... except the military. The US is a huge country with a large population and was self sufficient. Few people would encounter foreigners and many would never travel overseas or ever own a passport. It is a very different world now. Most Americans will probably still not see a foreign country ever... but the world is so interlaced now and all countries depend on many others... and all our children will communicate with foreigners. It scares me that my son here is in a school that doesn't even consider teaching the continents as important. Seems so incredibly basic. Of course... the Carolinas don't exactly breed educational prowess so its one of the most backwards parts of the country. I think the schools have to change but it will take time.
They don't even teach continents? That is weird! I remember having to know the states and capitals when I was younger and touched briefly on other countries but wasn't until I went to Spain when I was 13 that I got a real grasp of anything outside of US.
