What I hate about the NBA.

[JaySherman]

Kobe Bryant, Lebron James. I can't stand the fact that they did NOTHING yet came straight out of high school to be instant millionaires. Pro atheletes are overpaid in general but at least it can be argued that players in the other sports pay their dues. Football players pay with their bodies. Baseball and hockey players have to work their way up through the minors before making the big bucks. But basketball is nothing more than a freaking playground sport! And these 18 year old kids who haven't had to work a day in their lives get handed millions entirely because of their potential! Meanwhile I worked my way through college, earned my degree along with $20k of debt and had to literally leave the country to find a job that even pays a living wage! Argh! Too bad I can't shoot a basketball.

:grr:

OK. I'm done now.

/rant

[ugarte]

1. What I hate about the NBA

is that they're killing the college game. Granted , this is selfish on my part, but I really miss the days when guys like MJ, Bird and Magic played 4 years of college. Nowadays they'd be straight to the NBA after high school.

[Paragon]

2. Exactly why there WILL be an age limit in the NBA soon

The NCAA will make it worth the NBA's while in some fashion to impose the limit -- it also will provide some bigger names for the NBDL (the NBA's developmental league) when they fall through the cracks.

[ugarte]

3. The first thing the NCAA should do is remove the rule

making players ineligible who hire an agent. There are kids who get carried away with themselves, hire an agent, go undrafted or drafted low, and can't come back to college because they're 'pros'.

It's crazy.

[lazarus]

7. a dozen high school players this year

the most ever.

Would they really have made a huge impact in the college game? Is losing out these dozen players really going to "kill" the college game?

Here's an article that lays out some statistics: http://www.insidehoops.com/nba-from-prep-070303.shtml

Since 1995, 6.5% of drafted players came straight out of high school. That's an average of 2 a year.

Also, let's remember that Magic left after two years at Michigan State. And Jordan left North Carolina after three years.

Tim Duncans are rare. Even players that stayed all four years are rarely superstars.

We could always take a look at the top twenty players in the league, and determine what collegiate experience they have. At least 4 of them are high schoolers, though: Kobe, Garnett, McGrady, and Lebron James. Amare Stoudamire isn't too shabby, either.

About 2/3 of high schoolers actually make a difference in the league. But, to be honest, that's also true of basically everyone. 58 players are drafted every single years; that's 4 entire rosters, plus a few. Since 4 expansion teams aren't added each year, and not that many players retire every year, the odds are obviously against one of those 58 becoming one of the 424 players in the NBA.

[ugarte]

13. Would they have made a huge impact? Yes

Just one example, one program. Duke is losing Shaun Livingstone, their #1 recruit, gone to the NBA, along with Luol Deng, who played one year. Bottom line, we'll never know: probable loss of at least one national championship in their years together.

As I said, I have selfish motives. I would have loved to see these guys play together in the ACC.

Unlike football, in basketball a superstar at any level is a big deal. Although these guys may have only average careers in the NBA, they would have been stars in college.

[ProfessorGAC]

11. Uh?!?!?

Neither Magic nor Michael played 4 years. The former left Michigan State after 2 years and the latter left UNC after 3.
The Professor

[ugarte]

15. Yeah, I know

I didn't mean they all played four years. Even two years in college is a long time by today's standards.

I'm not even saying high school kids shouldn't be allowed to go to the NBA. I'm just saying that as a fan I'll miss seeing them in an NCAA tournament, etc.

Even more troubling, NBA scouts today seem to like the young guys better than the four year college guys. As somebody said in an article there's a pecking order in the NBA draft. There's the phenoms just out of high school, then the foreigners, then the players leaving college early. And at the bottom, the 4-year college guys.

[Bombtrack]

4. It's called capitalism. Nobody else can do what they do

and they do something that generates billions of dollars. You can get angry at Americans for caring so much about and investing so much in pro sports. I certainly think too much attention and money is paid it's way over other things, but it's rediculous to get angry at these 2 guys for taking their share of the money made.

Wether one player over another is overpaid or underpaid has to do with the market, and that swings back and forth. A few years ago baseball players were getting contracts that they wouldn't today now that it has come back to bite organizations(A-Rod, Manny Ramirez, etc)

Most regular paid people do jobs that people with non extra-ordinary skills can do. I know we think most teachers are underpaid, and I agree in MOST states and municipalities they are(although we should admit there are a few places where they get enough in the US). However there are tens of millions of people who can be teachers. There are only a half dozen or so who can do what Lebron and Kobe can do. IE, play basketball better almost anyone, and therefor generate money for their team, the NBA, and bussinesses that they endorse.

Let's compare that to people who have a clear-cut unfair pay/to money generated ratio. Corporate leadership. Because of the way corporate America has changed government to favor them, they can proside over companies that go down in revenue and money generated, but their pay is not lessened, and often increased.

[Awsi Dooger]

9. I second all of that

Except the misspellings. :)

Well argued, Bombtrack. Much better than I would have managed.

I never understand people who begrudge wages earned by others. Each profession has it own requirements, wage scale, rewards and potential pitfalls. They aren't exactly a secret.

JaySherman, you could have shot a basketball for 16 hours a day from age 5 until today. If I assume average height and athletic ability, you might be a free throw shooting legend at the local gym.

Sounds like you beat that by plenty.

[Alenne]

5. That's what I love about the NBA

Without basketball these kids would probably not go to college now can afford to make sure their families are taken care of and any kids they have will get a get education and go on to have good jobs.

I'm not going to be mad because Kobe and Lebron got a chance to make millions doing something they love. Smart idea on their part.

[Leprechan29]

6. The NFL is actually a nice contrast

Though still grossly overpaid, at least the NFL had the sense to institute a requirement that the players play college ball for a certain amount of time...the NBA should take the hint

[lazarus]

8. yeah

and what sort of future do these kids have, anyway? Using your talent and skill to rake in a few million is nothing compared to a college degree.

Look at Bill Gates. He dropped out of college. Just imagine how much more successful he'd be today if he'd just gotten that sheepskin.

:evilgrin:

[mistertrickster]

10. The thing I hate about the NBA? They play the game of basketball . . .

If there is any more boring and repetative sport to watch on TV, I don't know what it is. First one huge mutant tall guy makes a basket--then they run down to the other end of the court, and another genetic freak makes a basket.

Repeat over and over and over again . . .

At least with golf you get a nice, quiet contest perfect for napping.

[HornBuckler]

12. Ahh I Know It Sucks, But Whatcha Gonna Do?

Make Singers Go To College Before They Can Tour? It's Silly, It's All Driven By The Big Dollar, If They Can Play, We Can Pay.

It Sucks, But It's Free On TV

[GOPisEvil]

14. Actually, some baseball players DO make millions before hitting the majors

Lots of players get drafted and make millions before they've played an inning of pro ball.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=kruk/040611