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Straight to the NBA is right idea
By Ben Dunsmoor
Published:
Thursday, April 17, 2003
Skip school.
That's right, I had the audacity to say the two words that Mr. T in all of his gold chains, bling-bling, and pro-wrestler physique could not. Allow me to draw you the map for a sports scenario that many athletes have already followed.
Recently the National Basketball Association has been deliberating over whether they should establish a minimum age limit for its players. The age would be set at 20 and would disallow the barrage of high school basketball players, who are usually 18, to dazzle the league with their youthful legs.
Why would you want to punish those who have the "skills to pay the bills?" Take a few of the players that are currently in the MVP race. The Lakers' Kobe Bryant didn't live in dorms on a college campus. Tracy McGrady of the Orlando Magic didn't have to suffer through boring and pointless college philosophy classes.
Even the Timberwolves own Kevin Garnett went straight from high school to one of the NBA's high scorers. All of these players are arguably the best players in the NBA and Bryant has even drawn comparisons to his Airness, Michael Jordan.
Some sports purists might beg to differ on the issue. They say that college players receive more experience by playing college ball and therefore have a bigger impact in their first year of the NBA. Oh contraire Prof. Wrong, take a gander at the Phoenix Suns own first-year high schooler, Amare Stoudemire.
Stoudemire averages 13.5 points, nine rebounds and one block per game. Stoudemire also has helped lead the Suns to the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.
Compare that to the Chicago Bulls Jay Williams, who spent all four years of his college days on the Duke campus. He averages only about nine points a game, two rebounds, four assists and no blocks. Not bad digits, but look at where his team is. They're not even within a stones-throw of the last playoff spot in the East. He was recently benched because of his whining.
If you're good enough to play in the NBA straight out of high school, such as LeBron James, you should be able to play against the world's best and not have to waste your time or energy on a college campus. Most players don't focus on the world of academia in college, but just play basketball and prepare for their goal of playing in the NBA. If you can play, just skip the middleman and reach your goal earlier.
I dare to believe that any reader out there would jump at the chance to make millions of dollars and be set for life without going to college. Those who criticize the players for skipping college would probably be the same ones to make the jump and take the money and play if they had the skills. This is not only true in athletics. But look at billionaire Bill Gates. That's right, he never turned the tassel at his own 'U.'
For those of us that can't run 40 yards in 4.2 seconds, jump 42 inches vertically or "d-up" on Shaq, college is one of those arenas that has to be tolerated in our current structured society. For those who can go from prep to pro, go for it.
Believe me, college life isn't that great.
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