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| Carmelo Anthony |
The real crux of the issue really lies in the
players themselves, though. For me, it’s
virtually impossible to become invested in the college game knowing that so
many players will be here one day and gone another. The game has shifted from players staying
with their schools for 3-4 seasons to being “one and done” and off to the NBA,
whether they are ready or not. There’s
no continuity. There’s no growth. The worst part is the collegiate game is
diminished as the quality goes down. The
young players often come into the league with much fanfare and hype, which puts
an unnecessary level of pressure on them.
Look, there’s only one LeBron James.
He was so unique in that he came into the league ready to carry a
franchise. Very few 18-20 year old
players are mature enough to handle that burden.
So how exactly do we fix this? The NFL requires players to be 3 years
removed from their high school class to be eligible for the NFL draft, which is
a concept shot down by the NBA players association. The NCAA doesn’t want to pay players as that
would open the floodgates to many more possible problems (other than not being
able to pad their own pockets). I think
the solution is pretty clear, and somewhat obvious; utilize the NBA D League
far better than they currently are. The
solution not only would give younger players the option of staying in college
but would also allow them to ease into the pro game. I believe it to help the collegiate game and
the pro game in the long run.
- If a player forgoes college, or declares
eligible for the draft after their freshman year, they would be required to
stay with the D-League affiliate of the team that drafted them for 2 seasons.
- If a player declares for the draft after their
sophomore year, they would be required to stay with the D-League affiliate of
the team that drafted them for 1 season.
- Juniors that declare for the draft would be able
to enter the NBA immediately.
This is a win-win for all involved. Allow me to explain.
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| 2012 Kentucky Wildcats |
- From the NCAA standpoint, more players will be
likely to stay in school as the riches and playing time of the NBA would still
be a few years away. They would be able
to hone their craft against their peers, which only improves the quality of
play as players grow. The schools would
also be able to see the re-emergence of possible dynasties, which have disappeared
from their game. For example, the
Kentucky Wildcats won the National Championship last season, only to be bounced
from the first round of the NIT this year.
Had they been able to retain Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist,
Marquis Teague, Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb it is likely they would have made
another deep run during March Madness.
Instead, they were embarrassed in the NIT.
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| Michael Beasley |
- From the standpoint of a general manager, it
makes the pressure of a failed pick lessen.
Instead of dropping millions of dollars on potential, and risking that
as a failure, the GM would be able to see the growth of the drafted
player. In 2008, the Miami Heat used the
second overall pick to take Kansas State freshman Michael Beasley. He cost the Heat $4.3 million in cap space
and is perceived as a bust for them. Had
they been able to chart his growth (or lack thereof) in the D-League, they
would have been able to let him walk when the mandatory 2 years expired
allowing them financial flexibility and not crippling them with the cap.
- From the player standpoint, the advantage comes
in multiple ways. They have the option
to stay in school or take a gradual step up to the professional level. They would be given the time to grow their
game, while learning about the NBA lifestyle.
While the financial aspect isn’t as lucrative in the D-League, they are
still paid a decent amount that can help educate the younger generation in
money management. Taking a broke college
kid and giving them millions is simply asking for trouble. Giving them a step in between allows them to
mature and learn about the business aspect of the game. Additionally, the player would learn about
the rigors of an NBA travel schedule and the physical demands of the job. It would also continue giving them motivation
to reach that elite level of basketball.
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| Just imagine an Iowa Energy hat in this picture... |
- From the NBA corporate level, this is an
absolutely slam dunk (pardon the pun). The
quality of the game increases as you filter out the players not good enough or
ready for the pro game. The D-League can
be used to market younger stars, increasing the marketability of players in all
markets (given the D-League teams are located in small markets and will set up
roots in those communities). It adds
another revenue stream for the league.
D-League games are not as marketable as they could be. Can you just imagine if Carmelo Anthony
declared for the draft after his freshman year at Syracuse? The Denver Nuggets could still draft him
third overall and place him with their affiliate, the Iowa Energy. Immediately, the Energy becomes a destination
attraction simply to watch Anthony take the court. The league could utilize NBA TV to broadcast
games and generate more interest.
Merchandising opens up and more money starts to flow, which is exactly
what the league wants.
There really is no loser in this situation. While it is unfortunate the players have to
wait a little longer to reach their NBA dreams, the 3 year window hasn’t
adversely affected the NFL. It can work for the NBA too.
If you’re good enough to reach the league, an
extra couple of years is not going to prevent that from happening.
