NCAA athletes getting paid, NBA's age discrimination

Kentucky point guard John Wall was cleared by the NCAA to play this season.  He'll have to sit out for the first two games and repay some $800 in travel expenses but he'll be the starting PG for the wildcats before long and should be a regular feature on Sports Centers' Top Plays.


But within this story are two larger questions about compensation for NCAA athletes and age limits in professional sports.  These young men generate millions of dollars for their universities yet can't even accept a free meal or plane ticket from coaches, agents, boosters, supporters, shoe reps, etc.  Players like John Wall have the talent to make a difference in the NBA and yet, even in this "Land of the Free" they are banned from their chosen profession by the recent reintroduction of archaic rules based on age discrimination.  Old enough to work in any other profession, old enough to fight and die for their country, old enough to work in bars, clubs and adult entertainment, old enough to be sentenced as adults for breaking the law but not old enough to play professional basketball?


This question was raised last year when then high school junior Jeremy Tyler passed on the rest of his high school and college career to play professionally in Europe.  Now we have the best basketball player not in the NBA, John Wall, getting slapped on the wrist and suspended for a few hundred dollars in benefits, which unfortunately is just the tip of the iceberg.


Within basketball circles it is known and understood that star athletes get more than just special treatment and recognition.  Payments of various types are used to lure players to one university or another.  They mostly go unnoticed or unreported but that doesn't mean it's not happening.  Do you think O.J Mayo was broke while attending USC?  On the same note, will Renardo Sidney ever play for Mississippi State or did he take too much money?


Solution:


While I do not think that NCAA athletes should be paid (besides perhaps a small stipend) I think the NBA should ease it's age limits to allow high school graduates or players over 18 years of age to enter the draft and join the professional ranks.  This will have it's negative consequences as we've seen before, such as average players declaring for the draft, going undrafted and losing their NCAA eligibility, high school stars neglecting their studies, college ball losing out on some star players and NBA scouts forced to make tougher decisions about drafting young players but at least it will be fair and consistent with the tenants of this free country. 


Age discrimination gets little attention compared to all the other issues out there but it is an issue all the same.  Not only do athletes have a limited window of opportunity to make a career out of their talents but they have, just like everyone else in this country, a right to earn a living within the confines of the law.  

"David Stern, tear down that wall and let John Wall play"

2009/2010 NBA Season Thoughts and Predictions

On the eve of the new NBA season here are a few thoughts and  predictions.

Break out player of the year:  Anthony Morrow, Golden State Warriors.  One of the best shooters in the world, Morrow will have a permanent green light from Nellie.


Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin.  Hum, hard choice.


Under the Radar Rookies:  Gerald Henderson, Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson, Ty Lawson.


How sweet will it be to see a Cavs vs. Lakers Finals?  Lebron vs Kobe, Shaq facing his old teammates/nemesis.


MVP:  Bronbron


Sixth Man of the Year:  Who cares.

Worst NBA Team:  Timberwolves.  Flynn will add some excitement, Jefferson is a beast, Brewer is starting to come into his own but the T-Wolves will still be atrocious.  With Kevin Love out for the first part of the season and Ricky Rubio hiding out overseas, the Wolves will struggle to reach 15 wins.  Question:  If they are drafting #1 next year will they take John Wall and trade Flynn or Rubio?  Question #2:  How much longer can Minnesota support an NBA franchise?


Other thoughts:  Greg Oden will have a breakout year, as will Mo Speights.  Gilbert Arenas will not be the same, nor will Elton Brand.  NBA analysts will talk and talk and talk so much about the Summer of 2010 free agents that they'll loose track of who's actually playing this year.


It all tips off tomorrow!

Wally Judge - Sentenced to Greatness

A 6,9 combo forward who enters Kansas State as the highest profile recruit since Michael Beasely, Wally Judge seems to be flying under the radar when it comes to his NBA draft prospects. Judge is a great athlete, able to run out on the break and finish above the rim. His running and leaping ability have scouts drooling and he also possesses a nice set of basketball skills. He has good form on his jump shot which should allow him to improve his consistency from long range and good court awareness. Has college three point range and should be able to stretch out to NBA three point range with a little more work. Has good defensive potential due to his physical attributes and feel for the game.

While some of the other 6,9 forwards in this freshman class use their physical ability to dominate on the block, Judge plays a multifaceted game, floating around the perimeter, slashing to the rim and raising up for jump shots. A natural basketball player who seems to have all the makings of an elite combo forward at the next level, look for Judge to be a one and done player and a potential lottery pick in 2010.  NBA player comparison: Marvin Williams/Scottie Pippen

The New New Jersey Nets

12/10/09 addition:  ouch!  The Nets have gotten off to a horrible start and have been anything but exciting.  They are a very young team and the loss of star point guard Devon Harris for a few weeks hurt a lot.  But still...... ouch!  I got this one wrong.....so far.


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A few years ago the aging Jason Kidd, the disgruntled Vince Carter and the inconsistent Richard Jefferson formed the nucleus of a promising but enigmatic Nets team. In reality, those Nets were a playoff team at best but had no real chance of winning a championship. So management tore the team apart, trading Kidd, Jefferson and most recently Carter.

Trading star players for young prospects is risky business, often leading to regret for the fans and unemployment for the GM but in this case the Nets leadership got it right! President Rob Thorn and GM Kiki Vandeweghe have put together a group of young athletic players who should gel into a formidable team in the years to come.

Devin Harris, acquired in the Kidd trade is the star. A point guard who controls all aspects of the game, scoring, passing, defense and leadership. Then the Nets have a trio of young wing players all hoping to earn minutes and recognition. The recently added Courtney Lee (Carter trade) showed flashes of brilliance towards the end of last season and in the playoffs. A classic two guard with all the skill and athletic ability of a future NBA All Star.

At the small forward position rookie Terrence Williams will battle Chris Douglas-Roberts for minutes. These players should complement each other nicely and bring a ton of energy to the defense and transition games. Also battling for minutes at the 3 and 4 is Yi Jianlian, a crafty offensive player who needs to man up and learn to battle in the trenches.

The Nets are not as loaded up front but have some nice prospects in Brook Lopez and the talented but often troubled Sean Williams. Lopez could be an All Star center for the next decade but adding a true back to the basket threat at the power forward position would open space for the young guards and solidify the Nets rebounding and defense which, as we all know, "wins championships".

So look for the Nets to build around their new young nucleus of guards and wing players and look for a lot of excitement in New Jersey (or Brooklyn) for years to come. I never thought I'd be saying this but..... I can't wait to see the Nets play!