Jim Mora hopes UCLA can avoid distractions of ‘Internet and Facebook and Twitter’

Given UCLA’s inconsistent play this season, it’s not surprising that head coach Jim Mora opened his post-practice media session on Thursday by preaching the need to “find the next level.”

Mora talked about the need for the Bruins to focus, and for younger players to adjust to stiffer competition as well as a new environment. That involves, well, thinking a bit more.

“This generation is so easily distracted because of all the access to the Internet and Facebook and Twitter,” he said. “When we were kids, you had to think about stuff. Nowadays, I don’t know that kids have to think about kids for as long as we used to and process them. My point to them is to put that stuff away and think about what we’re doing here. don’t go immediately to the distraction. we have a practice — think about what just happened in the practice instead of going to pick up your phone and looking at the latest Instagram photos.

“That’s a challenge with this generation. I think the’re doing it. I think it’s gradual. You build it. But they’re starting to understand it. I hope they are.”

“I think you guys understand what I mean,” he continued. “You watch kids these days — I watch my own kids — and in the middle of a conversation with them, they’re looking at their phone. We didn’t do that. We used to focus in and talk and comprehend and put things into action. That’s a battle. I’m sure every college coach in America — every teacher in America — faces the same thing.”