The question remains whether a player will play harder out of fear or out of love. I tend to agree with the Machiavellian stance that it is better to be feared than loved if one must be lacking. Therefore while I believe players will play hard for oscar I don't believe they will play as hard as they did for Frank. It's just not going to happen.
"Upon this a question arises: whether it be better to be loved than feared or feared than loved? It may be answered that one should wish to be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, is much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with. Men have less scruple in offending one who is beloved than one who is feared, for love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails."
Wrong and Wrong, players play hard for playing time...up to the coach to enforce it, doesn't matter if it is out of love or fear.
So they play hard because of a fear that the coach will punish them with less playing time. Oh, I see you've met my friends Check and Mate. I'll let you guys talk.
I don't know if fear or love is better, but I think the there are a lot of factors that go into players playing hard. I think one of the most important ones is pride. Look at Snyder's 16 goals. Pride isn't in there, but it is impossible to achieve those goals without a sense of pride, both in one's self and in your team. If Weber can get a sense of pride and unity in a team, they will go far.
I think teams playing hard or with pride becomes even more evident when the leaders and/or best players demand this of their teammates. I think of Ray Lewis and the Baltimore defense for over a decade even after coaches and personnel have changed. I wonder if Arthur or Collin let guys take a series off? Honestly don't know how/if they lead. Pullen seemed to demand that his teams play all out.
