This shit is geting stupid

Nut, I dont think anybody can legitimately get mad when a guy who's ready goes pro. I was disappointed when Rodney White left and somewhat skeptical, but not mad because I knew that he was more or less ready for the NBA, at least offensively.

But when these kids who haven't ever stepped on a college court or did so without doing much declare, it's a joke. As much glee as I may take in JR Smith's announcement, honestly, it's ridiculous. He won MVP of a HS pickup game where no defense or team play was involved. And he's basing his decision on that? Pardon me while I laugh hysterically. Maybe he's wise up and go play for the Heels. Maybe not.

In regards to Iti, the official "spin" seems to be that he's not serious about this. He just wants to go to the camps, for free, get his name on scouts minds and see what he has to do for next year. I thought we'd have him for 3 yrs, but this move seems to suggest that he's on the 2 yr plan. Oh well.

 

JamesOn's going to OK State.

 

isn't "ready" up to the market place? if they pick him, then great.

the thing is, the teams that get high picks tend to suck so they kinda have to play the guys before they're ready. and it IS a business. are they gonna sit out their top pick as they try to sell another 60 loss season? not a chance. they need to make some money, too.

darko milicic can't break into the lineup for the pistons because they're already very good. he was the #2 pick. they have the luxury of not forcing him to play when he's not ready. but most teams can't develop their talent -- especially when the guaranteed contracts for rookies are only 3 or 4 years. you develop a guy just long enough for him to fly the coop. (again, keep in mind high picks go to sucky teams).

 

whatever the problem is, i dont know. i do know, as vp mentioned, that the nba game is shittier than ever. coincidence? i dont know.

 

Then how does this jive with....

Garnett (MVP)
Kobe
James
Melo
McGrady

James had 2nd best statistical season of any rookie, EVER. Second only to Jordan. Melo lead his team from bottom feeder to the playoffs. The others took a year or two, but are arguably 3 of the 4 best players in the league now, FOR THE TEAMS THAT DRAFTED THEM.

Sure, therd are a few Kwame Brown's. But if you can create an open shot and finish, I don'tcare if you are 15, let em play. There's too few good players, not too many.

 

The NBA just isn't fun to watch anymore. I can get into the playoffs occationally.

Just wondering what to attribute its waining popularity to.

The quality of basketball is inferior to what it was just a decade or so ago. The players may not be athetically inferior, but the basketball is. Because of the influx of college kids? Perhaps. Defense and ball movement have regrettably taken a back seat to cherry picking and a cross over dribble.

It could be attributed to the increase of foreign players in the league that the general public doesn't relate too. Foreign players are, by and large, often ready to contribute sooner but people dont exactly tune in for guys named Vladamir and Cruschev. I still think the public enjoys watching a player progress 3 or so years and college and continue that success on into the league. As rare as that has become.

 

not sure what the question is...

and toronto drafted mcgrady (played there three years), not orlando. and technically, kobe was drafted by charlotte, but that's different. but my point was actually that lowly teams don't generally have the option of not playing a guy right away if he was a high draft pick.

people complain that high schoolers bring the game down, but it's not like you can spend a draft pick to develop a guy over a few years unless you've got a lot of talent already there. kobe bryant is an example of that -- he didn't play too much right away and was brought along pretty slowly. but then, the lakers got shaq that same year and already had eddie jones at the SG spot.

 

for me, i don't like the player movement. i really hate the free agency aspect where guys can just leave. i like teams and teams are made of players, not logos and city names. i started following the hornets back when the lakers dumped jones and campbell. this was a couple years after dumping divac, peeler and lynch. i just didn't recognize the team anymore -- they were all hired guns. i felt no loyalty to them.

 

Hell colleges should just pony up and sign agreements with the NBA to develop players. then the nba could stack college rosters and call up players as the develop. Stop the charade already. College has deteriorated into glorified tech school anyway. You couldn't student at most universities if you wanted to now anyway.

 

Orlando signed McGrady to a max contract after his contract with Toronto - and he was definitely a contributor there.