WHEN DOES independence among professional athletes become insubordination, then dereliction of duty?
When players act without permission.
Insubordination once was a rarity, quickly quashed by authoritarian coaches who ruled with iron fists. Today, insubordination has become more common. Athletes' wealth and branding have increased their power. More are willing to say what's on their minds, even when those thoughts contradict the party line.
A more compelling question, then:
Is insubordination necessarily corrosive? Is it always a bad thing for a player to criticize his coach's strategies?
No. Input of all sorts should be welcomed.