Hey NBA, Stop Embarrassing College Hoops - Vito's View Sports

For all the grief we give Major League Baseball–its failure to admit it had a drug problem, its resistance to instant replay, its inability to make even minor changes without lengthy negotiations with the players’ union–it is a pioneer when it comes to drafting amateur talent.

So when it comes to the NBA draft, David Stern ought to take a cue from MLB.

Instead of forcing players to go to college for one year like the NBA or refusing to even evaluate them out of high school like the NFL, MLB does not have a problem with its teams drafting high school talent. It doesn’t interfere with contract negotiations. It doesn’t worry about which outpost prospects end up in.

But if a player chooses the college ranks over the pros, that’s when MLB gets involved. Baseball essentially bans players from its fields once they commit to a four-year college until after their junior year or their 21st birthday. The only way to break that commitment is by petitioning the commissioner’s office.

The message is simple: If you’re good enough, we’ll take you. If not, we’ll see ya when you’re ready.

Why can’t the NBA understand that this setup is a win-win for all involved?

David Stern is a smart guy. He has to know that his league’s age requirement—instituted after LeBron was drafted (convenient)—is a farce. It leads to too many one-and-dones and makes a flat-out mockery of the college game.

Just look at this year’s draft pool—a one-and-done haven: Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, O.J. Mayo, Jerryd Bayless, Eric Gordon. All are following in the path carved out last year by Kevin Durant and Greg Oden. All knew from the moment they signed their letters of intent that it was a one-year contract.

How can the NCAA let this happen?

If a player is good enough and has absolutely no interest in going to college, he shouldn’t be forced to sit through Econ 101 daydreaming about his pro career and praying he doesn’t suffer a career-ending injury in that night's game.

But if he’s not drafted out of high school, he needs to make a college commitment that is longer than eight months.

The MLB model is ideal. But a lot can happen in three years and the NBA might be more receptive to an alternate arrangement.

So here it goes: Just like in MLB, high school players should be eligible for the draft. If they are not selected, they head off to the college of their choice. Once in college, they could declare for the draft only once over four years, and the earliest that declaration could be made is after their second year in school. Basically, underclassmen would be allowed to declare for the draft after their sophomore or junior seasons—but not both.

Why not both? Because there’s a wrinkle.

If a player chooses to remove himself from consideration before the draft or is not drafted at all, that player must go back to school and complete his scholarship commitment. Whether that’s one, two, or even three years (if there’s a redshirt involved) left on the scholarship, the player must remain in school for the duration.

For example, North Carolina’s Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and Danny Green each removed their names from the NBA draft last week, opting to return to Chapel Hill after learning their stock wasn’t nearly as high as they thought it to be. Under my proposal, Lawson and Ellington—both entering their junior seasons—would be required to play two more years for the Tar Heels. As for Green, who is entering his senior season, the circumstances wouldn’t change for him, which proves the sensibility of this plan.

The NCAA might claim that the system would lead to improper contact between players and agents. Like that’s not already happening. This process would only get those otherwise shady dealings out in the open.

Players might claim it hinders their ability to make a living. Hey, if you don’t like it, go play in Europe.

The NBA and NCAA must work together to stop this trend of one-and-dones. And replace it with a system that benefits the league, the colleges, and, most importantly, the welfare of kids who are affected most by this asinine arrangement.

Do you think this proposal would work? Click here to comment.

Message Edited by Vito_Forlenza on 08-07-2008 11:14 AM