Age limit in NBA should be repealed

Tags: nba

Age limit in NBA should be repealed

Expires: 30-Mar-2007 00:58

Roscoe

5 Votes
55%

I think it is a right to work issue. Why is there no age limit in Baseball or Hockey? Some of the best players in the NBA never went to college- KG, Kobe, T-Mac, LeBron, Jermaine O'Neal, Dwight Howard, etc. The high school flops are few and far between.

It also makes a mockery out of the college game. So these "student" athletes go to college for one year. What is the point? If you make them stay longer, I'm sure you'll see more booster scandals like Michigan in the early-90s.

I think it is just a further representation of Stern's power hungry mentality. He is such a dictator and it is so obvious. He is threatening to ruin the NBA by turning it into such a soft league. The NBA needs a former player to be commissioner before it gets too bad.

SmackDaddy

4 Votes
44%

Roscoe, you and I haven’t smacked yet, so I thought I’d tee it up. As I love to do, I will bullet point my position in response to your smackdown:

- There is no age limit in baseball or hockey for a simple reason: there is a well organised and funded farm system. This system encourages promising talent to forego college and play in it instead. As a result, teams have the luxury of time to nurture and develop players whilst mitigating financial risk.
- Agreed that there are some fine players in the NBA that never attended college, but that’s not enough of a reason to repeal a rule made to protect players’ mental, emotional, and physical well-being and simultaneously protect the financial interests of the teams. The few names you’ve mentioned are a tiny percentage of the many fine NBA-ers who have taken the traditional route. Furthermore, the reason that there have been few HS flops is that, well... there have been so few HS players to begin with.
- Your point about making a mockery of the college game is troubling if nothing else. At the risk of sounding soft here, each year thousands of student athletes are given the opportunity to gain a free education and develop as men in preparation for life (unlikely, but possibly, in the NBA). Taking a risk by skipping college and going straight to the pros leaves no room for error. If athletes leave early to declare, as so few do, at least they’ve taken a responsible route.
- My feelings about Stern aside, as for him turning the league soft, well, you couldn’t be further from the truth. Ensuring that only physically and emotionally mature athletes take the floor each night is morally responsible and guarantees the best possible competition over the long term.
- Finally, to suggest a former player be commissioner is simply laughable. That’s akin to suggesting 5 year-olds should run a kindergarten class.

Let the system that works keep working.

ReadComments

smithala (voted for Roscoe)

27-Mar-07 06:06

Repeal it.

hayriot (voted for Roscoe)

27-Mar-07 09:07

If college is such a great opportunity for young men to develop mentally, physically and emotionally, why not leave it up to them to decide if they want to go? Already, there are college players who choose to stay, even if it means deferring big money from the professional leagues. Repealing the age limit doesn't take away their ability to choose the college route. Repeal it.

Wolverine (voted for SmackDaddy)

27-Mar-07 10:36

I actually think the phenoms make more money by playing one or two years in college versus going straight to the pros. They make a big name for themselves at a big time university and then can sign bigger marketing contracts when they sign as pros. Many people are making this argument for Kevin Durant. He probably nets out positive by playing his one year in college versus being some obscure HS guy playing in the NBA.

hayriot (voted for Roscoe)

27-Mar-07 13:12

Wolverine, whether you're right or not about spending a year in college is irrelevant to the basic issue of choice. No one is saying that high school players should be *forced* to go straight to the pros. However, the age limit *forces* them to go to college if they want to play ball. I believe that these guys should have the ability to choose whether or not to go to college or the pros, based on whatever criteria they want. I still haven't heard anyone make a convincing argument for taking that choice away. Advocates for an age limit have to meet a higher standard of proof.

Wolverine (voted for SmackDaddy)

28-Mar-07 06:53

hayriot, I wasn't really making an argument either way. Just stating an interesting point. I do believe a league should have a right to institute rules to protect the quality and integrity of their product. I would support someone that pushes hard for dropping the age limit in conjunction with the formation and support of a developmental league. Why does no one go after the NFL?

Roscoe (voted for Roscoe)

28-Mar-07 15:06

If an intelligent former NBA player were permitted to run the league, you'd see a man's league, not some watered down facsimilie thereof. Not all of these guys are morons, in fact many of them are bright guys, especially when it comes to the game itself and maintaining its integrity.

Roscoe (voted for Roscoe)

28-Mar-07 15:11

Interesting link about the economic benefits of skipping college for these players

http://www.law.harvard.edu/news/2004/05/07_mccann.php

Roscoe (voted for Roscoe)

28-Mar-07 15:14

Other above average players that skipped college: Al Harrington, Rashard Lewis, Monta Ellis, Amare Stoudamire, Eddy Curry, Al Jefferson, JR Smith. Also, keep an eye on Amir Johnson. Scouts say he has great upside once some of the older members of the Pistons frontline retire and/or leave the team.

Wolverine (voted for SmackDaddy)

28-Mar-07 19:36

Roscoe, any article written by a guy with hair like this needs to be questioned

http://www.law.harvard...

Can someone please address why the NFL does not face similar scrutiny? Hayriot, I'm looking for some leadership from you.

bMoney (voted for Roscoe)

28-Mar-07 21:15

that photo is astounding

Roscoe (voted for Roscoe)

28-Mar-07 22:28

I think there isn't as much controversy in the NFL because it takes longer for the body to develop enough size and strength to compete at that level. There was some controversy with the Maurice Clarett situation though.

elswede (voted for Roscoe)

29-Mar-07 08:32

The one year rule is a joke and it hurts the college game by having these stars come in for their one year of being a "student." It is just a race to get that first contract finished so they can get on to their second much bigger contract. Let them decide whether college is better or worse for them; 99% need a couple of years of college play -- Greg Oden included!