Jahlil Okafor and the age debate

Athletes should stay two years because some kids use fake IDs?

Athletes should stay two years because some kids use fake IDs?

The mindset of players is not going to change by making them stay another year or even two more in college.

The reason they generally act irresponsibly is not because of a lack of college but rather because they are treated like gods no matter where they are, NBA or College. This is what happens when you take a person, elevate them to star level popularity and pay them huge sums of money when they are just 18 to 22.

If the teams do not want their players partying and drinking then it’s up to them to stop that behavior, they are probably the only ones who might stand a chance at changing them.

You also have to realize that people exhibit behavior in a spectrum. It’s not just black and white. Some people may party hard constantly and some may do it occasionally, just as some players will act out and get in trouble while others will mind their public image a bit more carefully. So some players will be more difficult to reign in than others.

The mindset of players is not going to change by making them stay another year or even two more in college.

The reason they generally act irresponsibly is not because of a lack of college but rather because they are treated like gods no matter where they are, NBA or College. This is what happens when you take a person, elevate them to star level popularity and pay them huge sums of money when they are just 18 to 22.

If the teams do not want their players partying and drinking then it’s up to them to stop that behavior, they are probably the only ones who might stand a chance at changing them.

You also have to realize that people exhibit behavior in a spectrum. It’s not just black and white. Some people may party hard constantly and some may do it occasionally, just as some players will act out and get in trouble while others will mind their public image a bit more carefully. So some players will be more difficult to reign in than others.

 I like everything about the college basketball development idea except for the forced indentured servitude aspect of it. If college really prevents players from going broke and having a more meaningful early career in the NBA then the players will choose that willingly. 

 I like everything about the college basketball development idea except for the forced indentured servitude aspect of it. If college really prevents players from going broke and having a more meaningful early career in the NBA then the players will choose that willingly. 

I’m personally against raising the age minimum at all. Life is all about rebounding from your mistakes, and college does not teach you that at all. Especially if you are a star at a D1 university.

We all celebrate Fourth of July and enjoy how much freedom we have right? Well, these young people who are super good at basketball should be free to choose to play basketball profesionally if someone will pay them. They can choose to enter into a serious commitment like the armed forces or smoking cigarettes at 18, but shouldn’t be able to play pro bball until 20 or 21? C’mon now. The only people that benefit are the NCAA fat cats, and I personally believe they can rot in hell. 

I’m personally against raising the age minimum at all. Life is all about rebounding from your mistakes, and college does not teach you that at all. Especially if you are a star at a D1 university.

We all celebrate Fourth of July and enjoy how much freedom we have right? Well, these young people who are super good at basketball should be free to choose to play basketball profesionally if someone will pay them. They can choose to enter into a serious commitment like the armed forces or smoking cigarettes at 18, but shouldn’t be able to play pro bball until 20 or 21? C’mon now. The only people that benefit are the NCAA fat cats, and I personally believe they can rot in hell. 

 you’re assuming that when these kids are in college they actually go to class…Odd, I live on UConn campus,  have for the past 12 years, but the only place I ever seem to see these guys are at parties or Subway getting food. Look at the academic calender, than look at the basketball calender, and try to convince me these guys have enough time to actually get a college education. Let alone from the top universities in the country which require a ridiculous amount of time and effort from people who aren’t public figures and travel all week. 

Staying one year isn’t going to help. Stay two years is just a waste of time as well. These players know they are going to be millionairs in college, and so does everyone else. That’s why they are able to get ridiculous loans and money advances (You should see some of the ridiculous cars some of the UConn players drive…), because they have value. Lenders know they will eventually be good for it.  

The best thing to do with these guys is surround them with people they look up to, and hope that those guys rub off on them. I know it’s cliche, but you tend to emulate the people you admire or respect, so putting a few of those guys in the locker room would go a long way. I think in the era of the one and done this goes a long way, as there isn’t much leadership on certain teams like their used to be. 

The Sixers don’t have that pressense, and Jahill is going to have to learn the hard way. He can still do what he wants, that’s what having money means, and I chalk this up to just a new young millionair getting it out of his system. It seems almost like a right of passage for these people. 

 you’re assuming that when these kids are in college they actually go to class…Odd, I live on UConn campus,  have for the past 12 years, but the only place I ever seem to see these guys are at parties or Subway getting food. Look at the academic calender, than look at the basketball calender, and try to convince me these guys have enough time to actually get a college education. Let alone from the top universities in the country which require a ridiculous amount of time and effort from people who aren’t public figures and travel all week. 

Staying one year isn’t going to help. Stay two years is just a waste of time as well. These players know they are going to be millionairs in college, and so does everyone else. That’s why they are able to get ridiculous loans and money advances (You should see some of the ridiculous cars some of the UConn players drive…), because they have value. Lenders know they will eventually be good for it.  

The best thing to do with these guys is surround them with people they look up to, and hope that those guys rub off on them. I know it’s cliche, but you tend to emulate the people you admire or respect, so putting a few of those guys in the locker room would go a long way. I think in the era of the one and done this goes a long way, as there isn’t much leadership on certain teams like their used to be. 

The Sixers don’t have that pressense, and Jahill is going to have to learn the hard way. He can still do what he wants, that’s what having money means, and I chalk this up to just a new young millionair getting it out of his system. It seems almost like a right of passage for these people. 

 Baloney, let these kids get money.

 Baloney, let these kids get money.

 Im pretty sure I know the article youre referring but what makes you think that its by Austin Rivers? Wasn’t it done by a Big Ten player?

 Im pretty sure I know the article youre referring but what makes you think that its by Austin Rivers? Wasn’t it done by a Big Ten player?

 I’ve always hated the idea of an age limit. Would guys like lebron, kobe, Durant etc really have been better off with 2 years on college. The window of a pro basketball player to earn is extremely short compared to most careers and they should be given every opportunity to maximize that earning potential, especially if teams are willing to pay them. To me, the whole age limit argument is really just an excuse to give franchises more time to scout players to protect them from making bad decisions. It has nothing to do with protecting the kids.

 I’ve always hated the idea of an age limit. Would guys like lebron, kobe, Durant etc really have been better off with 2 years on college. The window of a pro basketball player to earn is extremely short compared to most careers and they should be given every opportunity to maximize that earning potential, especially if teams are willing to pay them. To me, the whole age limit argument is really just an excuse to give franchises more time to scout players to protect them from making bad decisions. It has nothing to do with protecting the kids.

 Liberties…. Yet I believe we are the only country in the world that forces adults (18+) to delay making millions of dollars b/c we must satisfy some antiquated puritanical ideal of virtue….. 

If a person has an athletic Lottery ticket, they have every right to cash it in…..

We are focusing on the Wrong story….. I’m sure it’s no coincidence but the Sixer’s beat writer authored a story in the Philadelphia Daily News detailing the facts that Sixer’s Administration is basically asleep at the wheel & how Brett Brown is more or less thrown to the wolves everyday b/c No One knows what is going on in that Organization……

The Author, Bob Cooney, claims that GM Sam hinkie, his staff & Ownership pay very little attention to the day to day goings on of a Franchise that is falling apart from the Inside out….. Cooney also documented that all 3 Sixers prized young 7 foot prospects are given little scrutiny by the team…..

So Okafor’s recent troubles are more a reflection of the Sixers complete dysfunction as an NBA organization rather than a topic about Athletes being too young to sign professional contracts….

The Sixer’s Franchise is worth an outrageous amount of Money….. Hiring security for a handful of young players to protect them from being targeted by jealous peers at clubs or to protect the public from them b/c they are fighting or speeding (however you Choose to see it – I’m not here to debate those issues)….

Charles Barkley has a great quote from when he hired 24 / 7 / 365 Security… When asked by a local radio station host if Barkley was accepting that he needed protection the public…. Barkley responded 

"Hell No! I’m hiring security to protect the Public from me… B/c if you bother me, I will Kick your @ss & it’s getting expensive….)

 Classic Chuck but you get the point…. Hiring top shelf security is No Big Deal & once again the Sixers have egg om their face…..

 Liberties…. Yet I believe we are the only country in the world that forces adults (18+) to delay making millions of dollars b/c we must satisfy some antiquated puritanical ideal of virtue….. 

If a person has an athletic Lottery ticket, they have every right to cash it in…..

We are focusing on the Wrong story….. I’m sure it’s no coincidence but the Sixer’s beat writer authored a story in the Philadelphia Daily News detailing the facts that Sixer’s Administration is basically asleep at the wheel & how Brett Brown is more or less thrown to the wolves everyday b/c No One knows what is going on in that Organization……

The Author, Bob Cooney, claims that GM Sam hinkie, his staff & Ownership pay very little attention to the day to day goings on of a Franchise that is falling apart from the Inside out….. Cooney also documented that all 3 Sixers prized young 7 foot prospects are given little scrutiny by the team…..

So Okafor’s recent troubles are more a reflection of the Sixers complete dysfunction as an NBA organization rather than a topic about Athletes being too young to sign professional contracts….

The Sixer’s Franchise is worth an outrageous amount of Money….. Hiring security for a handful of young players to protect them from being targeted by jealous peers at clubs or to protect the public from them b/c they are fighting or speeding (however you Choose to see it – I’m not here to debate those issues)….

Charles Barkley has a great quote from when he hired 24 / 7 / 365 Security… When asked by a local radio station host if Barkley was accepting that he needed protection the public…. Barkley responded 

"Hell No! I’m hiring security to protect the Public from me… B/c if you bother me, I will Kick your @ss & it’s getting expensive….)

 Classic Chuck but you get the point…. Hiring top shelf security is No Big Deal & once again the Sixers have egg om their face…..

I’d love to see a system where players could be drafted out of high school and if they want to attend college, they could be payed and the team would keep their rights. These players wouldn’t have scholarships because they are being subsidized by their team. There wouldn’t be a rookie scale in this prosposal. 

I’d love to see a system where players could be drafted out of high school and if they want to attend college, they could be payed and the team would keep their rights. These players wouldn’t have scholarships because they are being subsidized by their team. There wouldn’t be a rookie scale in this prosposal. 

 Shabazz  apparently didn’t need the fake ID, weren’t people saying he was 21 after his freshman year? LOL

 Shabazz  apparently didn’t need the fake ID, weren’t people saying he was 21 after his freshman year? LOL