Steve Kerr Makes A Case for 20 Y/O Age Limit in NBA

[Jukeman]

It does but it doesn't. Seriously, no reason to go around in circles about it. We won't agree either way. We're talking about it now, so...

I think the NBA should be like any other multi-million dollar business. No company is putting an 18 or 19 year old in a position with as much power as early draft picks currently have in the NBA. Even people expected to hold a high position in a company are forced to go through training, nuts and bolts, etc. before being handed the keys to the car. I can't put my finger on exactly when things changed, but I think it's when the last generation of NBA players started to retire. There was a time when you could draft kids high and let them learn on the job from teammates and even riding the bench a bit. If we could back to that, I'd be fine. Today, John Wall is considered a vet and is named captain before his first game. Something should be done. We will probably never agree on whether this is what "something" is but something should be done.

I agree with this to a degree.

But besides LeBron, were there any HS kids put into a position like this? Heck, Kwame was the first ever High Schooler picked #1.

If I remember correctly, most of those guys (HS prospects) were not giving these type of roles. They were brought up with the vets. Some didnt even see minutes until their 3rd-4th year.

It's happing now for these 1 and done guys because they had already build a fan base and got the media expose in their first year in college. I think the media coverage and exposer also plays a factor in the expectations in these new generation of players. They are superstars and are treated like one from the minute they step on campus.

Im all for a change but I so much rather see "HS or 3 years of college" rather than the current 19 or a 20 year old age limit.

[wwharton]

Re: Steve Kerr Makes A Case for 20 Y/O Age Limit in NBA

I agree with this to a degree.

But besides LeBron, were there any HS kids put into a position like this? Heck, Kwame was the first ever High Schooler picked #1.

If I remember correctly, most of those guys (HS prospects) were not giving these type of roles. They were brought up with the vets. Some didnt even see minutes until their 3rd-4th year.

It's happing now for these 1 and done guys because they had already build a fan base and got the media expose in their first year in college. I think the media coverage and exposer also plays a factor in the expectations in these new generation of players. They are superstars and are treated like one from the minute they step on campus.

Im all for a change but I so much rather see "HS or 3 years of college" rather than the current 19 or a 20 year old age limit.

No, it wasn't the case before... most of the HSers did come up with vets but I'd probably say Garnett is another example of one back in the day that was thrown into the spotlight (and did a great job with that pressure). I don't think it has to do with the fan following from one year in college though. Well, I don't think it has AS MUCH to do with that as it does just the change in times. Over the years there have been more and more kids coming into the league younger so as the older vets retired, the league is overrun by these kids more than it ever has been.

It's effecting the draft as well. Back when you're talking about, a Kobe goes #7 overall. The young kids back then got reasonable contracts making it easier to keep a Jermaine Oneal or Tracy McGrady on the bench for a few years. Then the big decision is about giving them a big contract after having them in your system for a while.

BTW, if I didn't say it before, I'd be fine with a HS or 3 years rule as well. I think it'd force kids to make a tougher decision about coming straight out or going to college. The problem would be with kids that went to Europe. Do they have to stay there for 3 years before getting drafted? How do you regulate that?

[SteelersFreak]

Re: Steve Kerr Makes A Case for 20 Y/O Age Limit in NBA

Yeah its a little silly to compare guys who go through 4 years of college with guys coming out of high school. Most guys that stay 4 years in college do it because they aren't good enough to leave early.

[Jukeman]

No, it wasn't the case before... most of the HSers did come up with vets but I'd probably say Garnett is another example of one back in the day that was thrown into the spotlight (and did a great job with that pressure). I don't think it has to do with the fan following from one year in college though. Well, I don't think it has AS MUCH to do with that as it does just the change in times. Over the years there have been more and more kids coming into the league younger so as the older vets retired, the league is overrun by these kids more than it ever has been.

It's effecting the draft as well. Back when you're talking about, a Kobe goes #7 overall. The young kids back then got reasonable contracts making it easier to keep a Jermaine Oneal or Tracy McGrady on the bench for a few years. Then the big decision is about giving them a big contract after having them in your system for a while.

BTW, if I didn't say it before, I'd be fine with a HS or 3 years rule as well. I think it'd force kids to make a tougher decision about coming straight out or going to college. The problem would be with kids that went to Europe. Do they have to stay there for 3 years before getting drafted? How do you regulate that?

Good points.

I'll say a 21 year old limit like the MLB enforce with it's HS or 3 years of college rule.

Giving guys a choice, I'll doubt we would see many guys going overseas anyways. Most likely you'll have guys coming out who have draft stock and of course the occasional guys who don't have the grades who would end up undrafted and playing Juco somewhere.

If we see guys going overseas with this rule, it would most likely be due to academic issues.

[wwharton]

Re: Steve Kerr Makes A Case for 20 Y/O Age Limit in NBA

Good points.

I'll say a 21 year old limit like the MLB enforce with it's HS or 3 years of college rule.

Giving guys a choice, I'll doubt we would see many guys going overseas anyways. Most likely you'll have guys coming out who have draft stock and of course the occasional guys who don't have the grades who would end up undrafted and playing Juco somewhere.

If we see guys going overseas with this rule, it would most likely be due to academic issues.

I'm skeptical about the over seas thing too. Again, these are kids. AAU is allowing them to expand their world a bit but some have barely left their neighborhood, let alone the country. Going to another country on your own... to work. I think only a few would consider it. As da throne mentioned, it's easier to coast through college if you're so inclined. You don't get paid right away but you don't have to pay to go either.

Baseball has the advantage of that minor league system. I really hope the D League keeps growing. That would really end alot of this. Just don't really understand why it hasn't worked better to this point.

[mKoz26]

Re: Steve Kerr Makes A Case for 20 Y/O Age Limit in NBA

I'm also in favor of the MLB rule.

If guys go overseas, they are professionals, thus they can enter the NBA draft whenever they want. I doubt many guys would choose that route over college. The most talented players might enter right away, but the guys projected lower than 15 in the draft would probably play college ball.

This would raise quality of play in college and the NBA. College players would be more experienced and would come out as more polished rookies.

[snepp]

Re: Steve Kerr Makes A Case for 20 Y/O Age Limit in NBA

I really hope the D League keeps growing. That would really end alot of this. Just don't really understand why it hasn't worked better to this point.

I can think of two reasons.

1. The owners don't want to sacrifice a chunk of their pot to pay to do it right.

2. The players don't want to sacrifice a chuck of their pot to pay to do it right.

[Moses Shuttlesworth]

Re: Steve Kerr Makes A Case for 20 Y/O Age Limit in NBA

His case about player maturity is spot-on. If the NBA was truly full of gentlemen or gentlemen in the making, we would see players with higher IQ's playing smart basketball and the game would be far more beautiful to watch.

In this case correlation = causation IMO