Under the NBA's current logic, Stevie Wonder shouldn't have been allowed to put out hit songs when he was 13. He should have waited until at least spending a year in college. On another front, I don't hear anyone complaining about teenage tennis, golf or hockey prodigies. Hmm... interesting.
Why does Araton have to racialize an otherwise sober and interesting analysis of the NBA D-League? Implying racism to those who support players going to college for a year or two is way out of line. I have a great many issues with the NCAA, but to accuse its supporters of racism is akin to Left wing critics calling Republicans racist for arguing against Obama Administration tax increases. Considering the current environment, it would probably be wise even for sports writers to try to add wisdom to the national debate, and not racially inflammatory rhetoric that has no basis in fact.
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The point is that those asking for a 20-year-old age minimum in the NBA are not advocating the same in NHL or MLB. Makes you wonder why.
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With higher payrolls--say $75,000 minimum and bonuses payed for the number of wins above .500 of $1,000 per win, per player--the D league would feature great, fiercely competitive games. With the ultimate prize for individual players being a spot on an NBA team, games would not be phone-it-in-boring. Or lopsided college blowouts a la Duke vs The Little Sisters of the Poor. And the NBA could consider tuition grants for those players to attend college as well.
A top high-school player would have a real choice and a chance for a professional career that would be a whole lot more rewarding in return for the hard work they start putting in at age 5. And the D-league would also attract a lot of European league players and players from all over the world.
Games could be played in NBA arenas, two fifteen-minute halves--before regular NBA games. No OTs, limited times out, and no video replay. That way, games start at 5:45 and end at 6:45, so the regularly scheduled NBA game could start at 7:30.
Holders of NBA tickets to that night's game would get in free. And the fans could see the development of future stars. And the cable networks get an additional hour of programming.
The college game would also benefit by a level playing field of real student-athletes playing (more like Division -II-quality ball)--but with a lot of excitement for smaller schools and conferences suddenly more competitive, because more super-star one-and-doners would be drained off to the D-leagues.
A top high-school player would have a real choice and a chance for a professional career that would be a whole lot more rewarding in return for the hard work they start putting in at age 5. And the D-league would also attract a lot of European league players and players from all over the world.
Games could be played in NBA arenas, two fifteen-minute halves--before regular NBA games. No OTs, limited times out, and no video replay. That way, games start at 5:45 and end at 6:45, so the regularly scheduled NBA game could start at 7:30.
Holders of NBA tickets to that night's game would get in free. And the fans could see the development of future stars. And the cable networks get an additional hour of programming.
The college game would also benefit by a level playing field of real student-athletes playing (more like Division -II-quality ball)--but with a lot of excitement for smaller schools and conferences suddenly more competitive, because more super-star one-and-doners would be drained off to the D-leagues.
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As was said in "the Godfather"---"it isn't personal".
Regular attendance at these games is only a couple of thousand and often in the 100's. Many of those tickets are give-aways.
Exactly how does the author think the business of sports works?
Exactly how does the author think the business of sports works?
Is it plausible that higher salaries would increase the talent level on the D-League rosters thus creating an more entertaining product? Just a thought...
It would be more enticing to see a younger but more talented inexperienced player or a veteran completing a rehabilitation stint in D-League arenas.
It would be more enticing to see a younger but more talented inexperienced player or a veteran completing a rehabilitation stint in D-League arenas.
Big Sports doesn't give a fig about players or human beings? Surprise, surprise, surprise...
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Why is this a suprise , look at who owns professional sports teams today, not exactly The Fords or The Rooneys. From oligarchs to dot com zillionaires and hedge funders not a group known for their societal concern and sharing of the wealth; as good a reason as I can think of to turn off the boob tube and if you really want to watch a game and spend some dough donate money to clean up the public facilities so the kids have a place to get off the street and believe me watching and hoping for the next generation is a lot more rewarding and entertaining than viewing spectacles as the Romans did while their nation crumbled.
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Why do you disparage the current owners of NBA franchises? Ballmer and Cuban are "tech zillionaires" who are extremely good owners and clearly on the side of the players. The Warriors management is very far sighted, and by all reports beloved by the players as well. The Fords, on the other hand, have been disastrous NFL owners. And while you engage in class warfare (from the affluence and progressiveness of Portland, I might note) you forget that the original Henry Ford was a raving anti-Semite. Making generalized statements is the mark of either ignorance of someone with an agenda. Not sure where you fall on the spectrum, but in either case your comments are not grounded in reality.
Well, as long as the crooked NCAA exists, there is no incentive for the NBA to invest in the D league. Crooked for big time sports, that is (I'm not picking on all the rest, just football and basketball).)
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Another sports story to warm the heart. But it's a reflection of the broader society and its values. If you're not a winner, you're a loser and should be treated as such.
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