Weighing in on the age issue

So, the NBA may limit the age of players that enter their league....again...In the last collective bargaining agreement, the age limit was imposed that players must be 19 to be in the league, which basically was a compromise to what David Stern wanted originally--which was 20. But now he may get his wish. Is this necessary? Is it better? And if it's better, who is it better for? The NBA? The players? The NCAA?

Well, in a word, it would be better for basketball. Sure, I understand that it is great to see the magic of a basketball player who just attended prom be given a twill hat while wearing a pinstripe suit and ready to sign a multi million dollar contract. But I also understand that the reality of that player making it in the big leagues is not exactly a sure thing--for every Kobe Bryant there is a Leon Smith; for every Kevin Garnett there is a Jonathan Bender. So am I saying that if these guys would have stayed in school 2 years that they would have been superstars? Absolutely not--but what I am saying is that for these guys, they would have at least made themselves better overall people and even possibly given them more of a chance post-NBA.

The fact of the matter is that money will rule this--but honestly, you cannot underscore the meaning of what 2 years in college could mean over the period of time; for one, it matures them emotionally--these kids are put into a more protected environment of independence, also gives them more discipline in school and education (they can't play unless they make grades), and it gives them the mid-level experience of playing for some great coaches and against other very good college players-it's not as if these guys are idiots running around with fight songs blaring. It can't be a bad thing to limit this at all; yes, there's an injury risk, but isn't that the case anyways? Would you rather give an 18 year old millions of dollars and then have them suck in the NBA or do something stupid, or would you rather see the person's character and game improve and then be able to make a better INVESTMENT. Call me old school, but it just makes sense to me--NBA, you won't be losing anything, and basketball--you'll be gaining a whole lot.

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Weighing in on the age issue

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