Roger Goodell is not the problem. Ray Rice isn't the problem. Greg Hardy and Ray McDonald are not the problems. The problem is us. You. Me. Woman or man; black, white or other.
We stand on our soapbox and demand change. We donate to domestic violence centers and Traumatic Brain Injury victims. We hashtag the crap out of every important, heart-wrenching catchphrase. We open ourselves up with our stories and share with strangers our struggles. Obviously, these are all helpful and meaningful steps, but they don't solve the problem. Every single person who does this - then turns on their Sunday Ticket package (or Thursday Night/Monday Night Football), sets their fantasy lineup, calls in their bets, purchases their jersey and their next home game ticket - is the problem.
When Donald Sterling's already-known-to-be-bigoted voice was heard spewing the vile many NBA people (and most residents who ever lived in his tenements) were already aware of, hundreds of season-ticket holders called the Clippers prepared to cancel their season tickets. Dozens of players league-wide and specifically on the Clippers openly discussed boycotting the games. The swift change did not occur because of social media or because of loud voices on your TV. Change occurred because millions of dollars were at risk. It is time to put the NFL's BILLIONS of dollars at risk.
The NFL has many major problems right now. Many of them cannot be fixed easily, but one of the things that can be fixed is to make sure that if you are accused of domestic violence, you do not step on the field again unless you are FULLY exonerated. Not acquitted, not "charges dropped" by a terrified spouse. Exonerated. If you are found to be totally innocent, you can receive your back-pay & welcomed back on the field. If you are not, goodbye football. Just because you are one of the best in the world at something does not guarantee you the privilege of getting rich from that ability.
If you are incapable of controlling your emotions and your temper around the people you love NOW - how will you be able to do that with the inevitable CTE and other mind-altering brain injuries you suffer from years of football?
It will not be easy, it may not even be legal, but then again the NFL itself shouldn't be legal but has anti-trust and tax-free exemptions. What's one more rule that doesn't apply to the rest of America?
Showing posts with label NBA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NBA. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Possible solution to NBA age-limit rules
After reading the always-excellent Howard Bryant's take on the current state of the NCAA tournament, one thing in particular stood out to me.
Bryant wrote, "Only the NBA's unethical (if not illegal) age limit keeps the top tier of college player in school for a year."
Eventually, some aspiring and talented young man with the inability to pass the required college entrance exams - or the lack of resources to have them passed for him - will challenge this rule. There are ways the NBA and NCAA can defend it since they allow a player to go overseas or the developmental league, however that is not always in the best interests of the player involved. Brandon Jennings' draft stock took a hit when he went overseas for a year, costing him money and possibly slowing his development due to the different style of play and the major cultural and language differences. Recently, Aquille Carr has made the decision to play abroad due to the money. If he were able to be drafted into the NBA, that would make it possible - even as a likely 2nd-round draft pick - to provide for his family (he has a child) and still get the coaching and structure needed to help him reach his potential. Now, if his draft stock falls while overseas like Jennings' did, he may not be drafted next year.
Maurice Clarett unsuccessfully attempted to use litigation to forgo the final years of his college eligibilty when he was drafted after his freshman year at OSU. That doesn't mean the NBA will be able to thwart a challenge especially when the argument involves being able to provide for a baby. There is a possible way, however, to make sure every high school senior that wants to enter the NBA can't do so before they are mentally and emotionally ready (if they're not physically ready, the NBA scouts and GMs will take care of that part by not drafting them).
By allowing students who want to bypass the one-year waiting period an opportunity to take a Wonderlic-style test (including on-court questions as well as off-court), with a minimum score required to enter the NBA draft, you are minimizing litigation risk and also avoid diluting the NBA product as was happening with so many "not quite ready for primetime players" that were entering the draft in the years before the 2005 CBA was ratified. If a student does not reach the required score - and you should make it so only 10-15% qualify - they are required to attend a college program for either one or (preferably) two years before qualifying for the draft.
While many students would not be able to skip college, they can't say it's because of an unfair NBA rule - they will be forced to recognize it's because they are not ready to pursue their career of choice and get the training and coaching needed to realize their dream.
Bryant wrote, "Only the NBA's unethical (if not illegal) age limit keeps the top tier of college player in school for a year."
Eventually, some aspiring and talented young man with the inability to pass the required college entrance exams - or the lack of resources to have them passed for him - will challenge this rule. There are ways the NBA and NCAA can defend it since they allow a player to go overseas or the developmental league, however that is not always in the best interests of the player involved. Brandon Jennings' draft stock took a hit when he went overseas for a year, costing him money and possibly slowing his development due to the different style of play and the major cultural and language differences. Recently, Aquille Carr has made the decision to play abroad due to the money. If he were able to be drafted into the NBA, that would make it possible - even as a likely 2nd-round draft pick - to provide for his family (he has a child) and still get the coaching and structure needed to help him reach his potential. Now, if his draft stock falls while overseas like Jennings' did, he may not be drafted next year.
Maurice Clarett unsuccessfully attempted to use litigation to forgo the final years of his college eligibilty when he was drafted after his freshman year at OSU. That doesn't mean the NBA will be able to thwart a challenge especially when the argument involves being able to provide for a baby. There is a possible way, however, to make sure every high school senior that wants to enter the NBA can't do so before they are mentally and emotionally ready (if they're not physically ready, the NBA scouts and GMs will take care of that part by not drafting them).
By allowing students who want to bypass the one-year waiting period an opportunity to take a Wonderlic-style test (including on-court questions as well as off-court), with a minimum score required to enter the NBA draft, you are minimizing litigation risk and also avoid diluting the NBA product as was happening with so many "not quite ready for primetime players" that were entering the draft in the years before the 2005 CBA was ratified. If a student does not reach the required score - and you should make it so only 10-15% qualify - they are required to attend a college program for either one or (preferably) two years before qualifying for the draft.
While many students would not be able to skip college, they can't say it's because of an unfair NBA rule - they will be forced to recognize it's because they are not ready to pursue their career of choice and get the training and coaching needed to realize their dream.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)