[CavsFan07Participant]

Over the last few weeks, we’ve noticed media outlets (even ESPN) stating that their "sources" told them that (insert name here) is declaring for the NBA Draft…. Within a couple hours, that player will post on THEIR social media page that they haven’t declared and have no idea where that information is coming from.

Examples?

Joel Embiid – Finally did declare a couple days ago, but ESPN reported it several weeks ago and Joel had to tweet that he hadn’t declared.

Julius Randle – ESPN reports he’s entering the draft, only for Julius Randle to tweet he hasn’t declared and hasn’t even discussed it with his family yet.

Nik Stauskas – Just yesterday ESPN was reporting he declared, only for him to immediately tweet he hasn’t and won’t make his decision for another week or so. 

 

So why is this happening you ask?

In today’s world, a world filled with social media, cell phones, and technology, we live in a "now" era. Writers/bloggers always want to be the "first" to break a story. When they do, bigger media outlets/writers will restate that information and tag or @ the person who broke the story, giving them credit. 

But how is this fair to the young men who may or may not declare for the draft? Isn’t that taking some of the fun out of the process for them? These young men are pondering the biggest decision of their life, and often times see it reported before they even made their decision. 

Look, several of us knew Joel Embiid was probably going to declare (and did). We also expect Julius Randle and Nik Stauskas to declare as well. But fact of the matter is, they haven’t. What these writers are "hearing" means nothing. If these young men decide to go back to school, the people who broke the story (and, yes, even ESPN who publishes articles about it where millions read it) look like idiots and lose credibility. 

"Sources" mean absolutely nothing unless you’re hearing it directly from the root of the source – the player. I think the individuals who publish these articles/tweets/posts need some type of punishment for breaking a story on a young college athlete before the athletes themselves have even made up their mind. 

 

It’s not right. It’s annoying for us readers / draft followers who read the site every day. It’s not fair to the young men to see that before they’ve even made up their mind (even if it’s INCREDIBLY likely they will declare). Give the kids their moment, don’t ruin it trying to be the "first" to report something.

We have a problem in our hands concerning players "declaring" for the draft, and it’s only going to get worse. 

[Rip255]

I think that post was so comprehensive that I simply cannot add anything more to the topic. 

[Rip255]

I think that post was so comprehensive that I simply cannot add anything more to the topic. 

[CameronCrazy11Participant]

Whenever this happens, I usually wish that the players end up returning to school just so it proves that these “sources” are not reliable and that we should simply wait for the players to tell us in person.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 I’m with you! (Marcus Smart)

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 I’m with you! (Marcus Smart)

[King CaluchaParticipant]

I think this is exactly why rumors are spread by the media. They do this in order to discourage players from declaring. There are several reasons for the players to stay: 1. The pressure they feel after the name being exposed in the press; 2. Media comments about his stock going down; 3. The desire to prove them wrong; and others.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

I think this is exactly why rumors are spread by the media. They do this in order to discourage players from declaring. There are several reasons for the players to stay: 1. The pressure they feel after the name being exposed in the press; 2. Media comments about his stock going down; 3. The desire to prove them wrong; and others.

[CameronCrazy11Participant]

Whenever this happens, I usually wish that the players end up returning to school just so it proves that these “sources” are not reliable and that we should simply wait for the players to tell us in person.

[Scott42444Participant]

 It’s probably good that these guys get to experience how the media works (more than they already have) before they are even in the NBA.  I know for a fact that certain NBA execs have reached out to members of their "legal team" to determine if they can put certain restrictions on how players communicate via Twitter and Facebook.  At the very least, maybe some of these guys can determine which of their "friends" and family they can trust with private discussions and information before they get into the NBA and have an issue that leads to an image problem in their respective cities.  Kyrie Irving has had to go out of his way to state that his "camp" consists of himself only and any information that comes from his "camp" should be considered rumor.

[WITNESS2014Participant]

Some people thought Kyrie needed to grow up since me tweeted about all that. I am glad he addressed the media about it. He hasn’t been able to breath this year with people saying his ” camp” has stated he wants out of Cleveland and wont be there long term. Let Kyrie make that choice when the time is ready, not during his whole 3rd season. When he’s an unrestricted free agent or he says himself that he wants out then leave it to rest.

[WITNESS2014Participant]

Some people thought Kyrie needed to grow up since me tweeted about all that. I am glad he addressed the media about it. He hasn’t been able to breath this year with people saying his ” camp” has stated he wants out of Cleveland and wont be there long term. Let Kyrie make that choice when the time is ready, not during his whole 3rd season. When he’s an unrestricted free agent or he says himself that he wants out then leave it to rest.

[Scott42444Participant]

 It’s probably good that these guys get to experience how the media works (more than they already have) before they are even in the NBA.  I know for a fact that certain NBA execs have reached out to members of their "legal team" to determine if they can put certain restrictions on how players communicate via Twitter and Facebook.  At the very least, maybe some of these guys can determine which of their "friends" and family they can trust with private discussions and information before they get into the NBA and have an issue that leads to an image problem in their respective cities.  Kyrie Irving has had to go out of his way to state that his "camp" consists of himself only and any information that comes from his "camp" should be considered rumor.

[klangParticipant]

Press and marketing have their rules… they simply want we read what they write… that’s so bad…..

[klangParticipant]

Press and marketing have their rules… they simply want we read what they write… that’s so bad…..

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 What is happening with Jabari Parker speaks to this a little I think.  There are so many rumors going around about him hat it is crazy.  I heard one source say he is signing with an agent, another source says he has applied for student housing for next year.  We have heard nothing from Jabari himself.  These rumors and social media outlets are really our of control and as it was states, it will only get worse.

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 What is happening with Jabari Parker speaks to this a little I think.  There are so many rumors going around about him hat it is crazy.  I heard one source say he is signing with an agent, another source says he has applied for student housing for next year.  We have heard nothing from Jabari himself.  These rumors and social media outlets are really our of control and as it was states, it will only get worse.

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

i lol’d at Randle’s tweet when he cleared it up. went somthing like " … i didnt even talk to my family about it yet"

i can just picture his face reading the news and he probably thought " WTF.. i didnt even discuss my options with the people close to me yet, who the fck are their sources?"

the media are attention whores. want to break news so bad they will do it in advance with no word from sources. their line of thinking " hey, he’s gonna declare anyways, might aswell break it early to get my name out there"

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

i lol’d at Randle’s tweet when he cleared it up. went somthing like " … i didnt even talk to my family about it yet"

i can just picture his face reading the news and he probably thought " WTF.. i didnt even discuss my options with the people close to me yet, who the fck are their sources?"

the media are attention whores. want to break news so bad they will do it in advance with no word from sources. their line of thinking " hey, he’s gonna declare anyways, might aswell break it early to get my name out there"

[Winning_TimeParticipant]

 Not to mention the same happened with TJ Warren. It’s irritating.

[Winning_TimeParticipant]

 Not to mention the same happened with TJ Warren. It’s irritating.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Yeah its a real shame… It seems like most of the writers at the big sites act like they are writing for a highschool yearbook.  Terrible journalism especially when you consider they are making things up about KIDS.  Pathetic what some people will do for page views or a trending hash tag.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Yeah its a real shame… It seems like most of the writers at the big sites act like they are writing for a highschool yearbook.  Terrible journalism especially when you consider they are making things up about KIDS.  Pathetic what some people will do for page views or a trending hash tag.

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