I've always felt this way, and am surprised that I've only heard a handful of commentators mention it, so here goes.

 

Does it seem unfair to you, or to be at least a bit of a double standard, that what many think of as "rich white kid" sports like golf, tennis, etc. allow players to go pro at practically any age, but no one complains about them missing out on an education, etc.? I do think think there are racial and sociocultural issues at play here.

 

Even in baseball, kids can go pro early, and no one bats an eye. I know that some pro teams can and will write in an amateur players contract for things that stipulate they receive scholarship money in some instances, but couldn't the NBA do the same very easily?

I've always felt this way, and am surprised that I've only heard a handful of commentators mention it, so here goes.

 

Does it seem unfair to you, or to be at least a bit of a double standard, that what many think of as "rich white kid" sports like golf, tennis, etc. allow players to go pro at practically any age, but no one complains about them missing out on an education, etc.? I do think think there are racial and sociocultural issues at play here.

 

Even in baseball, kids can go pro early, and no one bats an eye. I know that some pro teams can and will write in an amateur players contract for things that stipulate they receive scholarship money in some instances, but couldn't the NBA do the same very easily?

 

I am unsure if there are racial issues at play. I tend to lean that there aren't. Each sport is a different animal. In order to be a professional basketball player you have to be mentally prepared and emotionally stable and either mature beyond your years or have a strong support system around you. Often that is not that case or was not the case with kids who tried to go to the NBA too early. It's one thing in tennis to go pro early as you'll have mom and dad with you every step of the way and you're not traveling constantly(some of those times alone) like an NBA player does. Even in baseball of you go pro you'll still be in the minor leagues for some time before you make it to the MLB and you'll have the opportunity to live, learn and make mistakes outside of the sensationalist ESPN spotlight and that makes it easier as well. Good is similar to tennis. In the NBA, if you're drafted out of high school you are put into the spotlight immediately and more often than not it is too much for an 18-19 year old kid to handle.

 

I think the NBA is doing the right thing with the one and done rule and truthfully this is change in my opinion in the last few months. In the grand scheme of things the one and done rule has been more helpful than hurtful to the NBA and that's all that should matter.

I am unsure if there are racial issues at play. I tend to lean that there aren't. Each sport is a different animal. In order to be a professional basketball player you have to be mentally prepared and emotionally stable and either mature beyond your years or have a strong support system around you. Often that is not that case or was not the case with kids who tried to go to the NBA too early. It's one thing in tennis to go pro early as you'll have mom and dad with you every step of the way and you're not traveling constantly(some of those times alone) like an NBA player does. Even in baseball of you go pro you'll still be in the minor leagues for some time before you make it to the MLB and you'll have the opportunity to live' date=' learn and make mistakes outside of the sensationalist ESPN spotlight and that makes it easier as well. Good is similar to tennis. In the NBA, if you're drafted out of high school you are put into the spotlight immediately and more often than not it is too much for an 18-19 year old kid to handle. I think the NBA is doing the right thing with the one and done rule and truthfully this is change in my opinion in the last few months. In the grand scheme of things the one and done rule has been more helpful than hurtful to the NBA and that's all that should matter.[/quote']

 

 

:thumb:

There is no 7 foot 300 pound grown man trying to keep you from scoring in golf and tennis. Apples and anchovies...

For the record I'm fine with kids going pro from HS. I think the reality of the reason the rule is in place is to protect the owners and GM's from making bad decision. The more evaluation time they have the more comfortable they are with a pick. These owners are risking millions of dollars with these kids. In sports like golf and tenniss if you go pro and fail no owner is out millions of dollars . You as the individual just don't get paid.

I am unsure if there are racial issues at play. I tend to lean that there aren't. Each sport is a different animal. In order to be a professional basketball player you have to be mentally prepared and emotionally stable and either mature beyond your years or have a strong support system around you. Often that is not that case or was not the case with kids who tried to go to the NBA too early. It's one thing in tennis to go pro early as you'll have mom and dad with you every step of the way and you're not traveling constantly(some of those times alone) like an NBA player does. Even in baseball of you go pro you'll still be in the minor leagues for some time before you make it to the MLB and you'll have the opportunity to live, learn and make mistakes outside of the sensationalist ESPN spotlight and that makes it easier as well. Good is similar to tennis. In the NBA, if you're drafted out of high school you are put into the spotlight immediately and more often than not it is too much for an 18-19 year old kid to handle.

 

I think the NBA is doing the right thing with the one and done rule and truthfully this is change in my opinion in the last few months. In the grand scheme of things the one and done rule has been more helpful than hurtful to the NBA and that's all that should matter.

 

Will agree that I think the NBA is doing the best thing for themselves by instituting the one and done rule. Great way to protect their own interests by having an evaluation period while a player is in college and a chance to see how they handle a more structured environment.

Know that they are probably in the minority (or maybe they aren't, I don't really know), but I think the structure of the NBA and the presence of veterans in the locker room can be even better than a college environment would offer.

 

Think of it like this: in the "Unguarded" documentary, Chris Herren talks about the veterans basically daring him to get out and party like he did in college while he was with the Nuggets.

 

At Boston College and Fresno State, he was a huge fish in a small pond and was, in his brother's words, "running amuck". In Denver, he had some veterans standing outside of his door at the team hotel who were already annoyed that they had to babysit him and keeping him on a leash.

 

I would think it's worse at small colleges where the guy is a star and the team's representatives are more reluctant to let them go because they aren't easily replaceable, but it happens at big schools too. Look at how many "chances" Tyrann Mathieu had at LSU. Now that he's in the pros, he appears to have gotten his act together and has a nice support system in place. Granted, this might not have happened had he not gotten kicked off his college team, but having his own money and the ability to put a team together to help keep him on the straight and narrow probably hasn't hurt either.

[/b]

 

Will agree that I think the NBA is doing the best thing for themselves by instituting the one and done rule. Great way to protect their own interests by having an evaluation period while a player is in college and a chance to see how they handle a more structured environment.

 

Of course. But isn't it the NBA's job to protect their business interest. If owners made more money and the game was more healthy with HS kids they would be playing right now.

Of course. But isn't it the NBA's job to protect their business interest. If owners made more money and the game was more healthy with HS kids they would be playing right now.

 

Agree completely.

 

I just think "natural selection" weeding out GMs like Isiah Thomas would work just as well.

I think that it has to do with the NBA & NFL not wanting to take the financial risk to sign someone who is unproven at a higher level. Unless I am mistaken there is no risk in the PGA and whatever is its equivalent in tennis to allow younger players to turn professional. They don't have contracts, if they preform well on the course / courts than they get paid, if they do not then they do not get paid.

I think that it has to do with the NBA & NFL not wanting to take the financial risk to sign someone who is unproven at a higher level. Unless I am mistaken there is no risk in the PGA and whatever is its equivalent in tennis to allow younger players to turn professional. They don't have contracts, if they preform well on the course / courts than they get paid, if they do not then they do not get paid.

 

Baseball is similar in this aspect as well. Minor leaguers don't make any money at all. There is no financial risk for the owners.

At least with tennis, by the time you hit mid-late twenties, you're usually nearing the end of your career. It's essential to start earlier.

At least with tennis, by the time you hit mid-late twenties, you're usually nearing the end of your career. It's essential to start earlier.

 

Good point . Also in Tennis and Golf the money you earn for the post part is results based. You aren't being drafted on potential and getting millions of dollars.

At least with tennis, by the time you hit mid-late twenties, you're usually nearing the end of your career. It's essential to start earlier.

 

If I'm a college running back, I can't agree with that sentiment enough.

Good point . Also in Tennis and Golf the money you earn for the post part is results based. You aren't being drafted on potential and getting millions of dollars.

 

I'd argue there's a direct correlation between results and player contracts in all sports, the difference is that it's harder to isolate and quantify exactly for an individual playing a team sport the way that you can with individual sports.