I have a problem with the NBA and the NFL, because they are the only two leagues in the world where they put an absurd limit on when you can enter their league. What's the point of going to college? To prepare yourself for the real world and a career. That's the point of going to high school or any other type of education we receive. So why is it a big deal for the NBA (and NFL, to a lesser extent) to restrict players to play in their league? Let me give you some examples...
MLS - Freddy Adu signs at age 14 with DC United.
NHL - Players regularly drafted at 17-18 years old.
Tennis - Michael Chang was winning matches in the French Open at 15.
MLB - The Oakland A's signed a 16-year-old named Michel Inoa to a $4.25 million bonus.
Golf - Alexis Thompson competed in her first LPGA tournament at age 12.
Yet the NBA doesn't like the fact that high school kids (who some have had success, some haven't) can come into the league, so they send em to college for one year? Stupid. The NFL is BS to a degree, too, making players wait till their third year out of high school until they can be drafted, and the only reason it stands up is because of physicalness you need to play in the NFL. Despite that, Maurice Clarett and Mike Williams should have that option to go.
Who drafts these players? Who offers the contracts? This is America, Jack. No one's making these teams to pick the high school players. The NBA teams (especially nowadays) want to win at all cost. You think Phoenix isn't happy they drafted Amar'e? You think Cleveland isn't happy for drafting LeBron? LA with Kobe? Sure, there are failures on the way, but there are failures regardless. It isn't our job to police that. It's our job to give people the opportunity to succeed, that's it. Give me a squad of all high-school players vs. an all-college team, and I bet you that the high school team would RUN THE OTHER SQUAD. Don't believe me?
All high-school squad - Kobe, LeBron, Amare, KG, Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, Monta Ellis, Tracy McGrady, Andrew Bynum, Jermaine O'Neal, Rashard Lewis, Tyson Chandler
All college squad - Chris Paul, Tim Duncan, Baron Davis, Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Paul Pierce, Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Chris Bosh, Gilbert Arenas, Joe Johnson, Marcus Camby
Even the international squad - Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Yao Ming, Steve Nash (should be college), Peja Stojakovic, Hedo Turkoglu, Beno Udrih, Jose Calderon, Leandro Barbosa, Mehmet Okur
First off, this would be a great three-team tournament, but I'm sorry; the high school squad is ridiculous. Four of the five players on the All-NBA first team are out of high school (Kobe, Bron, Howard, KG), and let's be real here about another factor: the international players don't have to play college ball either, so what's the point?
I really hope Brandon Jennings makes it in Europe and makes it to the league, because he'll truly be the NBA's (David Stern) worst nightmare.
-Ed.
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3 Responses to "The NBA is stupid..."If Brandon Jennings makes it in Europe, and comes back, and becomes a lotto pick, the league will have an even bigger pile of shit to clean up. Other players' families are watching this closely. It's a shame, for so many reasons; the league is responsible for creating this monster. Either make them stay in school, or let them come straight out of high school. If not, this new episode happens, and they'll be forced to back to the drawing board, and find another way to fix their dastardly deeds.
1st off this is not an argument from me-I agree with you. But...to play devils advocate...The NBA and NFL have no minor league to develop these kids. They tried with the D-league and NFL Europe but they were a flop. Baseball and hockey have multiple minor leagues to groom their players. The NBA is trying to strengthen it's product. The increase in straight from high school kids diluted the talent. Not that these kids aren't talented, but teams feel the need to go after "potential" and for almost every Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett, there's a Kwame Brown and Sebastian Telfair.
I know thats a weak argument but its the best I've got.
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