Consider the NBA dead.

Del Monte · 23-Nov-2004, 01:56 AM #1

I will admit. I was once a huge basketball fan. But seeing this outrageous display from Friday night, put an end to my love for the game once and for all. IMO, over the past ten years the quality of players has tanked. Teams are recruiting high school thugs and paying them millions to perform. Does it shock anyone to know that it's estimated that 40% of these so called players have criminal records? I don't care how well they think they can play the game. These "children", "over paid brats", haven't matured enough to fully appreciate the gift they think have. The day the league started signing up high school students, is the day the sport started to die. Granted, some of the young players have done well and have shown can carry the torch for the pros of the past. But, some are not dedicated. They want a sneaker deal, or clothing deal, or be in commercials. Or in this case a rap album. Oh goodie, lets all do a happy dance! Call me old school, out of touch, not with it, or just plain old. But do we really need another wanna-be rapper/ b-ball player? And explain to me the look these players have. Over sized clothes, shoes, and enough gold to make Fort Knox envious. Come on people. The good ole' suit and tie still garners respect in my book. If your gonna be a public figure, act your age. Speek english! Sole brother ebonics is dead! Show some respect for the fans who, in a round about way, pay your salary. Leave your temper at home, and play the game you're paid to play. Some day we may darken the door of your arena again to watch you play. Some day. God bless Micheal Jordon. We miss you.

Del

Wet Chicken · 23-Nov-2004, 02:47 AM #2

There wouldn't be a problem, if people didn't believe all the hype

I swear you could get people interested in snail races if you advertised them right

Del Monte · 23-Nov-2004, 02:58 AM #3

And your point is?

Del

linskyjack · 23-Nov-2004, 06:36 AM #4

Speek english! Sole brother ebonics is dead!

One should not cast stones from a glass house. I could say, English is dead:

Rockn · 23-Nov-2004, 10:37 AM #5

Quote:

Originally Posted by linskyjack

Speek english! Sole brother ebonics is dead!

One should not cast stones from a glass house. I could say, English is dead:

So is the ability to quote a quote. He was rather eloquent with his post and stated the sentiments of many regarding "professional" sport. They are thugs because they are basically kids making multi-million dollar salaries out of high school and are never encouraged to be anything else. Once their sports careers are over they will be broke thugs with nothing to fall back on but their non-existent rap careers.

Professional sports in general has gone down the tubes.

Gibble · 23-Nov-2004, 10:43 AM #6

And this is why I find it funny when people consider hockey players just boxers on ice. The vast majority of players are intelligent, many have post secondary degrees. They wear a suit and tie to the rink, a custom that even highschool players follow. And most importantly they act like professionals, and have respect for their teamates and opponents.

There may be fights in the course of a game, but off the ice after the game, those two guys who just fought, may very well be good friends, and head to the pub for a pint.

Very, very very very few players are drafted out of high school, and most play a couple years in the minors after being drafted before cracking the NHL rosters.

It's an amazing game.

treespirit · 23-Nov-2004, 10:45 AM #7

You're right, and see what happened to hockey? Now a lot of players are over in Europe playing for a fraction of their old salaries.

Infidel_Kastro · 23-Nov-2004, 10:51 AM #8

And you all make fun of me for liking professional golf versus team sports....

Gibble · 23-Nov-2004, 10:57 AM #9

Quote:

Originally Posted by treespirit

You're right, and see what happened to hockey? Now a lot of players are over in Europe playing for a fraction of their old salaries.

That was the owners and agents fault...not the players. While people like to blame the players. They hire an agent to do the legal work and negotiate a contract. If the owner decides to pay him $10mil, as a player, do you think they will turn it down? Hell no. You wouldn't, I wouldn't, NOBODY would.

Now, many say, the players are greedy, because they won't play for less in N.A. but will go to Europe and play for less...that makes no logical sense. They won't take less in N.A. because like everyone else, they don't want a pay cut, irregardless of wether they make millions...nobody wants to take a cut in pay.

They go and play in Europe because they do love the game, they want to stay in game shape so that when a new agreement is reached and they NHL returns, they can play the game they love, and be in game shape immediately.

linskyjack · 23-Nov-2004, 11:28 AM **#10**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockn

So is the ability to quote a quote. He was rather eloquent with his post and stated the sentiments of many regarding "professional" sport. They are thugs because they are basically kids making multi-million dollar salaries out of high school and are never encouraged to be anything else. Once their sports careers are over they will be broke thugs with nothing to fall back on but their non-existent rap careers.

Professional sports in general has gone down the tubes.

You obviously don't know pro sports. The vast majority of basketball players are not making millions straight out of high school. Get your facts right.

Infidel_Kastro · 23-Nov-2004, 11:51 AM **#11**

Quote:

Originally Posted by linskyjack

You obviously don't know pro sports. The vast majority of basketball players are not making millions straight out of high school. Get your facts right.

Jack, Rock'n is referring to high school kids who immediately draft into the NBA, like Kiobe and Lebron. Who are millionaires, usually before they even play their first professional game because of endorsements.

linskyjack · 23-Nov-2004, 11:59 AM **#12**

I understand that but he made it seem like all these guys were thugs because they make millions right out of high school-- This kind of boorish behavior is nothing new---I think it has more to do with people who drink and go to games and think that they have a license to belittle, throw objects at and challenge the entertainers. Fan=Fanatic

IF the NBA is dying--its dying because the game has lost its beauty--its team aspect. It's clear out the side and let a guy go one on one. I haven't watched a game in two years.

Infidel_Kastro · 23-Nov-2004, 12:04 PM **#13**

Quote:

Originally Posted by linskyjack

I understand that but he made it seem like all these guys were thugs because they make millions right out of high school--Now if he said they made millions right out of college, well he too would be wrong--Only the top players make millions rightout of high school--many make the minimum salary which I think is somewhere in the 600,000 dollar range. This kind of boorish behavior is nothing new---I think it has more to do with people who drink and go to games and think that they have a license to belittle, throw objects at and challenge the entertainers. Fan=Fanatic

I didn't take it as such, but I can understand your view.
A question:
Noting that all things are relative to the sitaution, do you think that high school players are at an immediate disadvantage when drafted directly to the NBA and they have all this money thrown at them? Do you think that there is a correlation, or even a probelm with "slacker" friends and tag-a-longs who ahve a strong influence on someone that it can interfere with their decision making, or even keep them from bettering themselves, so as to keep it "real" and not "sell out"?
I am curious. The PGA has a mandatory clininc for everyone that finished q-School for the first time. There they discuss that they have to money in order to travelmn on tour, but also have financial planners and people there to help adjust if all of a sudden you win big, and become an overnight millionaire (look up Ben Curtis or Sean Micheel)?
This isn't a debate, i just want your opinion.