April usually means two things for me: (1) my sinus related allergies will make it difficult for me to enjoy outdoor activities; and (2) I will spend inordinate amounts of time watching NBA playoff basketball. These two things have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. When I get married, I will have a serious discussion with my wife about my need to watch playoff basketball during the months of April-June.
This blogpost is inspired by a recent documentary I stumbled across while watching basketball highlight videos on www.youtube.com. The documentary chronicled Tracy McGrady's high school senior year and ultimately the pros and cons of him skipping college and going directly to the pros. The rules governing this kind of move are a bit different now than they were in the 1990s.
The Rules:
1) All players drafted must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the NBA draft.
2) Any player who is not defined as an "international" player must be at least one year removed from the graduation of his high school class.
*These rules are not all inclusive; rather, they are just the rules pertinent to our limited discussion.
Arguments for the rules
First, requiring students to be one year removed from high school will, at least in theory, facilitate students being more physically developed. It will also force students to receive one more year of formal education before making the leap to the professional ranks. However, whenever there is a rule, there is usually a loophole or two. Brandon Jennings was one of the first high school players to find a major loophole in the rules. He graduated high school and then played professionally overseas for one year. His case was a little different because he did not academically qualify for college athletics. Either way, he was able to meet both eligibility requirements by playing one year over seas. He certainly did not further his education, but, he did develop physically, and he made some nice pocket change along the way.
Those in favor of the rule also claim that it will help the college game. In theory, it will force the greatest high school players to play at least one year of college basketball. This will increase the talent pool in college and make for more interesting, talent filled games. Has it had that impact? I would say no. It has hurt the college game in a number of ways. These "one-and-done" players usually play one year of college basketball. Their presence makes it difficult for teams to build continuity. Gone are the days of the 1990s Big East battles with Allen Iverson, Ray Allen and Kerry Kittles. Teams are just not as good and I believe the new rules are at least a part of the problem.
Arguments against the rules
I disagree with the rules. Financially, the rule does not benefit the extremely talented high school athlete. I think a player who has the talent to become a professional athlete as a 17 or 18 year old should be able to do so. You do not see any rules in place forbidding tennis or golf players from becoming professional athletes as teenagers. For those people who enroll in college, I think most go to increase their chances of landing a good job. I would be willing to bet that most people would gladly skip college if it meant that they could become instant millionaires. When you have that kind of money, you can always go back to college and obtain a degree.
I just do not see the difference between 18 years old and 19 years old. The difference between an 18 year old and a 19 year old athlete is negligible, at best. At 18 years old, a student can join the United States Armed Forces. He can legally enter into a contract. He can be married and is subject to the criminal justice rules that govern adults. He can vote for elected officials. In other words, he is an adult. It makes no sense to me to say that a person is an adult for the sake of serving in the United States Armed Forces, but not an adult as it relates to supporting himself and his family.
There are many more arguments to be made on either side. However, in the interest of time, I will refrain at this time. I may revisit this discussion again at a later date.
Peace
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