Big 3 Sports

Chad Ford’s article about Kansas State’s Bill Walker’s torn ACL allows me to bring up a point.  David Stern cost this kid millions of dollars... period.  If Walker had been allowed to turn pro like so many before him, he would most likely have busted his ACL while under a guaranteed contract as a late first-round pick.  Worst case he's a second round pick and still gets a couple hundred thousand for his efforts.  Why Stern and so many other force players to go to college for one year is beyond me.  When players go to college for the required one year, here's the drill: get passing grades in Phys Ed heavy classes during semester 1, make sure to maintain eligibility until the tourney and then drop out to train for the draft in June.  Education?  Please.  Guys who want an education will choose school and will stay in school without the requirements of the NBA... see: Tim Duncan.  Other guys will be sure to catch up during the summer... see: Vince Carter and Shaq.  One semester of grades does not elevate these players to scholars once their playing days are over.  Those that don't make it after one year of college will be in a similar position as guys who have left HS only to fall out of the draft or get pushed out of the league.

The NBDL offers a sort of minor league system and while not on the level of MLB's minors, so there is money to be made for basketball players that don't make the NBA.  There is also money and opportunity in Europe and Asia.  Why does David Stern and the NBA feel the need to be the moral authority on this issue?  Baseball players from all over the world start playing ball at 18, gymnasts drop out of school for the Olympics, why can't basketball players earn their money while their bodies are strong enough to do so?  If Oden or Durant have a career-ending injury this year, what are they supposed to do?  Get that college education and spend 25 years earning 40k a year in order to get their millions?  Both of those guys are simply filling the coffers of fat cats and making geniuses out of coaches at Ohio State and Texas this year while missing out on their own huge endorsement deals and NBA riches. I feel for Bill Walker, I wonder if David Stern does.