Draftees Age Limit: Break Our Dreams?

[ThaLiveKing]

It's got nothing to do with racism, Jermaine O'Neal is an idiot if that's what he said (which I'm doubting).

I don't remember him saying it was racist, I think that was Stephen Jackson that said that!! Jermaine said something like I can go to war in Iraq at age 18, but I can't play basketball??

If I remember correctly

And yeah. . High School players come in the NBA and Dominate right away lol

[maes]

I don't remember him saying it was racist, I think that was Stephen Jackson that said that!! Jermaine said something like I can go to war in Iraq at age 18, but I can't play basketball??

JON of all people should be backing this rule, as his career could have easily gone a different way if he didn't get traded by Portland. He learned all his basketball at Indiana, and stated so in interviews several times.

If he stayed in Portland without anybody interesting in developing him, he could have dropped off the face of the NBA as a taller verison of Ndudi Ebi.

[ThaLiveKing]

^^ It could be anyone!! Half these Gms don't know shit, they draft all of these players and don't use them. Now it seems to be different. Most of the time, players just need an opportunity to play!! Of course if people don't play no one is gonna notice them!!

A lot of these High school players that came in the league should be blessed cause they had that chance to come in and play right away and make an impact, not a lot of players can say that. I'm sure If Jermaine played more minutes in Portland he could have easily gotten to star status and still be in Portland making the same money he's making in Indiana

[DavidLin]

some high school guys like lbj, oden rules in their high school period. of course they cannot rule in nba in several years but they need time. so you see we give lebron some time and he grows up quickly(though he's a genius). i think if we give them time, maybe they can do better.
oden will be the third ruler in the nba(after shaq and yao)but he needs time.
i don't know it's good or not for him to go to college.he can show his potential immediately in nba but he still needs experience.if he goes to college, he can get much experience but he will have less potential after he goes to the nba...
it's a so difficult question...

[Null17]

It's got nothing to do with racism, Jermaine O'Neal is an idiot if that's what he said (which I'm doubting).

I don't remember him saying it was racist, I think that was Stephen Jackson that said that!! Jermaine said something like I can go to war in Iraq at age 18, but I can't play basketball??

If I remember correctly

And yeah. . High School players come in the NBA and Dominate right away lol

Both of them made similar remarks about the rule

This is taken from Wikipedia

O'Neal is known for his outspokenness on race in the NBA. After the NBA enacted its controversial age-limit to enter the NBA Draft, O'Neal told reporters that he felt racism was the reason why the NBA has a different standard than other professional sports leagues like the NHL or Major League Baseball (where players frequently enter the draft immediately after high school).

[Fenix]

JO is a moron, no wonder he couldn't get accepted to college.

[beau_boy04]

I'd eliminate the age limit and set the following rule:

1. One year of college basketball
2. One year of international basketball

If they meet either one of those 2 rules I'd allow them to enter the draft. I know some people grad out from high school at age 17 and speaking for myself I did it at age 16 so there you go.

[iKe7in]

I'd set the age limit at 18, but in order to play for an NBA team, set the age limit at 20. So you could draft high schoolers, but you have to wait until they have two years of college experience/international experience for them to play for you.

[MaD_hAND1e]

As said many times before Lebron is one of kind, apart from his skill, he has been able to come in straight away and contribute because he had a developed body already. Most of the other guys have just been dominating against undeveloped or developing high schoolers, it's a huge transition into the NBA, basically moving from competing against boys to against men.

[Andrew]

I'd set the age limit at 18, but in order to play for an NBA team, set the age limit at 20. So you could draft high schoolers, but you have to wait until they have two years of college experience/international experience for them to play for you.

Interesting idea, though it would be better to involve the D-League rather than allow drafted high schoolers to retain college eligibility.

[DavidLin]

I'd set the age limit at 18, but in order to play for an NBA team, set the age limit at 20. So you could draft high schoolers, but you have to wait until they have two years of college experience/international experience for them to play for you.

Interesting idea, though it would be better to involve the D-League rather than allow drafted high schoolers to retain college eligibility.

But...If they play badly there...

[ThaLiveKing]

JO is a moron, no wonder he couldn't get accepted to college.

I'd pick the NBA over College any day

[Dan's Brain]

But...If they play badly there...

Then they dont deserve to play in the nba in the first place.

[Jing]

I’d think it would be unfair to other college students to play with guys already drafted. I mean college baseball is kind of like that in that the players’ rights are held by a club even though they are still playing in college. It just doesn’t feel fair, or right.

The age limit is a good thing; hell… they might even learn something at a community college or whatever.

[maes]

There's also the non-basketball factor of throwing a kid all that money...will he use it wisely for him & his family & friends for the rest of his life or blow it on drugs, parties, and other crap?

For instance, his rookie year Amare Stoudemire actually had (still has?) a professional who handles all the money the Suns give him and gives Amare an allowance to spend per week.

Hard to say you're old enough to make your own decisions if you're still given an allowance.

[J@3]

There's also the non-basketball factor of throwing a kid all that money

Yeah, and to broadly stereotype, most young black players out of high school seem to have huge crowds of "friends" who follow them around everywhere. Sebastian Telfair could probably fill 5 full teams with the amount of guys he has with him. Between all of the money they'd be undoubtedly leeching, even if they don't blow it on drugs or whatever it's all going to fade away eventually.

[Andrew]

But...If they play badly there...

Then they dont deserve to play in the nba in the first place.

Exactly. If they're truly NBA-ready coming out of high school, they're not going to stink it up in the D-League. Those who aren't NBA-ready will either be weeded out or develop during their required stint in the D-League.

[Craig]

Basically, I am agree with the age rules
Sometimes a young player got struggle just because of his immature mentality, not his body types or skills.
I mean an 18 years old probably can’t handle Payton or others talk trash to him.
He is not matured enough to handle the relationship with those teammates from another universe.
He will easily be affected by media or haters.
I mean there are too many facts could influence a players’ performance, especially when he’s young.
LBJ is success cause his mind is strong enough to control his skills and to against negatives. That’s what most Below-18s don’t have, and that’s why we should set the rule for them and for their career.

[DavidLin]

I think NBA should change some rules
For example:players at age of 18 can be picked or signed, but they have to participate at least 3/4 of the team's first 10 NBA regular season matches, or they will be sent to the D-League for 2 weeks. If they come back and still cannot meet that requirement, then, 2 weeks again. So that keeps the rookies can have a 3/4 season appearance. If the team cannot give rookies this at first season, they should sent the rookies to the D-League for half or whole season.
But I think that won't be so realistic...

[Fenix]

A nice satire on the impact of shoe firms on the draft:

NIKE
INFANT AND TODDLER
SCOUTING REPORT.
BY KEN BUDD

- - - -

Re: Evaluation of players in St. Michael's Hospital Maternity Ward League and the Shaquille O'Neal Gynecology and Pediatric Center Predraft Camp.

1. Baby X (name not yet determined), guard/forward

Sonograms show long arms and above-average hand size; scouts rave he's a fetal Larry Bird. Seems active in the womb: good indicator he'll be able to create his own shot. Projected as a two-guard, though may be able to play either forward spot. Won't know for certain until he's born. Circumcision will be good test of toughness.

2. Timmy Timmerson, forward

Good foot speed, though still crawling. Terrific rebounder when upright; will be more effective when he stops pulling jersey over face. (Likes to pull up jersey, hide face, pull jersey down, giggle, then pull jersey up again. Scouts now question his commitment to the game.) Despite potential character risks, suggest we sign immediately: Adidas reps are giving him free shoes and onesies.

3. Tyler Kennedy, center

Runs the floor well despite wearing diapers. (Scouts suggest he switch to more aerodynamic Sports Huggies.) Would like to see him hit the weight room: will undoubtedly extend shooting range once he can lift ball over head. Offseason skill development is essential. Could be a has-been by the time he's 3.

4. Christopher "Magic" Johnson, guard

One-year-old phenom. Already plays like a 2-year-old. Scouts say he's the best ballhandler they've seen in years: can hold ball without falling. Turnover rate should drop considerably if he stops drooling. Defense and rebounding need work: seems more interested in breastfeeding than boxing out.

5. (Child not yet conceived), center

Agents for parents seeking multimillion-dollar preconception contract. Our reps have spoken with them about exclusive shoe line for athletic infants ("Air Preemies"). Good lineage here: the mother has already given birth to three-time All-Star Billy Smith, the 3-foot-8-inch big man in the New York City Lil' Dribblers League. Following conception, all ultrasounds to be reviewed and monitored by Nike staff physicians and Dick Vitale.

6. Lebron James Kozlowski, small forward

Lacking in fundamentals, but shows great tenacity: bit three players during recent Fisher-Price tournament. If this kid can grow another five or six feet, and add about 230-250 pounds, and learn to pass, dribble, defend, steal, rebound, set screens, and shoot—lay-ups, jumpers, hooks, turnarounds, free throws—we could be looking at a lottery pick in 2029. (Need to monitor bed-wetting issues. Could affect his marketability.)

7. Ethan Marshmallow, guard

Selfish underachiever. Total baby. Lacks toughness. Expected to sign with Knicks.

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2006/8/1budd.html

[Metsis]

The age question... The age old age question... T-Mac's and Kobe's etc. took their time to get to that dominant level. So did Jermaine O'Neal who's been mentioned in this thread too many times to count. But players like Amare and LeBron, came out at 18 year olds and could play with the big boys...

I don't get this age thing at all... I see it totally differently than the rest of you. I see it as a mean to improve college basketball rather than NBA basket ball... A high schooler that goes to the draft and doesn't get picked has already wasted his opportunity to play college ball at all... I say that this is the one and most severe problem in the states... It does turn away some of the more borderline people from HS... But I digress...

Age is just a number... Putting an age limit on when you are ready to play or not is just ridiculous. Some people develop faster and grow faster and are able to add the needed mass to survive the pro game... Some do this slower...

But lets face the music about the NBA draft! The draft rarely is as abundant as the year of 2003 was... There were a lot of good players LBJ, Carmelo, Bosh, Wade and who knows how good Milicic will be next season now that he's got a shot to play some minutes and get rid of that "the human victory cigar" name he was given in Detroit. But my point is, that about 10-15 players from each draft get to have substantial NBA careers... The rest are not as lucky and fade away from the league eventually. Lets call it a dozen that survive the NBA action. The Dozen that does survive and become stars can be from anywhere and from any background and be of any shape or color or size... There are no guarrantees that a college player is any more ready to play in the NBA than a high school player. Its always a gamble... It does not matter wheter the player is 17 or 25... Some just have it and some just seem unable to reach it... Some are stars the instant they pick up the basket ball and some can play all their lives and never amount to anything special.

NBA is basketball at its quickest pace... The skill level isn't that spectacular when compared to other professional leagues, but it's all about the pace... The quicker the game is, the harder it is to master... And again it is the ability to adjust to the quickness of the game that really sets part the players that get to play significant roles in NBA and those who earn their keep in Europe or other places.

Other factor is just pure luck... When a guy is drafted, he might end up in a hopeless situation behind stars and established role-players and never see the court in a game and be forgotten by the league that the man even ever existed. Some get to go to teams that have a desperate need for their talent and get to play decent minutes from the get go and do put up at least decent stats and have the time needed to establish himself in the league...

Ben Wallace was told that he would never be an NBA caliber player... T-Mac was told that he would be out of the league when his 4 year rookie deal was done. Gilbert Arenas was estimated that he would never become a point guard etc. etc. These guys have been physically and mentally tough enough to establish themselves even though other people were writing them off. And this kind of toughness isn't learned from high school, college or any other place. You have it or you don't.

But I digress again... Damn it...

The age limit was set because teams didn't have the willpower to draft established players and were too keen on finding the next Kobe or the next LBJ... A sad thing. It is the fault of the team decisions basically...

This age limit does really screw over the international guys... Some of the top young international players start to play at a professional level at the age of 15 or 16... Not at 20-21. These guys are the gems that people find and try to mold into the stars of tomorrow. But now, these guys have to play 4,5 or even 6 years before ever being able to enter an NBA draft. By the time these guys are 18 and are good players, they are too often tied up with contracts that they just can't get out of, even if they wanted to to enter the NBA and play at a higher level... And thus NBA teams are reluctant to draft them since they don't know when the player will be available to them... And these players usually play out their careers in Europe or other parts of the world, when they could have improved in the NBA and possibly even become NBA stars...

The best teacher in the game of basket ball is a situation where you have to play against players that are better than yourself. That way you have to improve, if you are going to survive... And the tough ones do survive and evolve into great players.

End of the rant... Age limits are useless, pointless and age is just a number... Purely artificial way of weeding out the crops...

[Jing]

very insightful.. though i think the talent and athleticism in the nba far surpasses anyone else's leagues

i agree with the age is just a number. its like putting an requirment for you to be good enough by a certain age.

[Amphatoast]

well 1 pro is that people wont mess up there lifes saying "after high school imma play ball" and when they don't make it there life is messed up. I think its good for the kids in HS in the US. Considering all the issues many black males have in school and many just depend on the ball or rapping skills ( i know a little stereotypical.. but a good portion do believe this way.. at least in my high school in nyc), this will incourage them to educate themselves a bit more.

[iKe7in]

In response to Metsis' essay, the issue is not the gamble you take when drafting someone that age, rahter the impact on the person and culture it creates and changes.

If age is no factor, then would you allow 16 or 17 year olds to enter the league? If the hundreds of thousands of young kids playing basketball all over the country see these kids getting millions of dollars, that lifestyle suddenly seems much more practical and easier to achieve. If a kid who plays for his middle school team and dominates the other 14 year olds sees 16 year olds making the jump, suddenly the journey to the pros doesn't seem so difficult. If the same kid sees that it will take him at least two years of college to develop his game and get an education, he knows he has to work hard to finish his high school education before he can ever get to that point.

But the fact remains that for every high school player who puts his game ahead of his education, there are thousands who fail and are left with few options for future careers. How many high schoolers are lucky enough to make the jump, attempt to make a pro team, and either aren't as good as they thought they were, or get injured and can't keep playing. Then what? They're left with the option of returning to college that they can't afford, and trying to find a career that doesn't exactly fit the lifestyle they expected.

And the fact that a lot of these kids come from bad neighbourhoods to begin with, the money is what drives them. When they fail, and they're left without an education and few options, waht they might return to is crime. Not because they're bad people, but its what they've grown up around, and see it as an opportunity to make some easy money and get them closer to the lifestyle they missed out on.

[Mayerhendrix]

The guys who come out of high school are usually not physically ready for the game and end up with injuries or end up being pushed around.

Just ask Jon Bender, Kwame Brown, and possibly Andrew Bynum.