High School basketball seniors are now on the crossroads of their lives. They now have a decision to make; do they play college basketball and go through another year of not earning anything or go to Europe and play against men to develop their games and ready themselves for the big show; the NBA.
Unlike the seniors of the past, kids today will no longer have the opportunity to jump straight from high school to the NBA. They have to spend one more year after graduating high school before they can step inside the gates of the NBA. This is unfair. It is Unfair to students, and unfair to the players who are obviously being exploited by the hypocrisy of the collegiate basketball system and David Stern.
Unfair to the Players
It is odd to think that it is only in the NBA where the 'one year after high school' rule applies. Other sports leagues like the NFL, MLB and other professional leagues allow for players to come straight from high school. And because of this oddity the players suffer.
It is unfair for the league to impose this type of age eligibility and stop a player from earning money. Money that the player could have been used to help take care of themselves and their families; money that could have been in their pockets a year earlier. Money today is more valuable than money in the future.
Business Decision for David Stern
For the college coaches, it is understandable that they want the players to go through them before they go pro. It keeps them relevant. But for David Stern, it is a business decision, even if he masks it behind the guise of 'social responsibility.'
For Stern, one year in college allows these players to get more airtime, which in turn allows them to get more fans. This also allows for hype to build up and for excitement to increase. This then leads to more people following these boys into the NBA, keeping track of their progress. This is something that cannot be achieved if players were to jump straight from high school. And so, the rule, as far as the NBA is concerned, is good for business.
Unfair to the Students
This rule is also unfair to the regular college student who will have to share the same campus with players who do not have the slightest interest in getting an education. It is unfair to put them in a situation where they see their peers simply doing their time, cruising along, and not taking college seriously. The students are forced to share resources with these players who in a year, will be gone; resources that could have been put to better use for students who actually want to go to college but cant.
It is not a question of education (if it was then the rule would have been to finish college before entering the NBA) but a question of profits. The NBA needs this rule to make their fan base grow. The colleges need this to make their basketball programs relevant, and thus, increase ratings on games. It is a matter of profits, profits that students and players will now have to pay for, whether they like it or not. GP
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yossarian_Fisher
Thursday, September 10, 2009
LeBron is Looking Sillier by the Minute
King LeBron James is a freak of nature. Make no mistake about it; he is a fine example of someone who was given a special gift by God He has talent, he has charisma, he has the physique, and most importantly, he has youth. Unfortunately for LeBron, his youth is turning against him. He is finally showing the arrogance and sense if entitlement that usually comes with it. His recent actions are starting to overshadow all of what he has done these past five years.
First, there was the immature act of leaving the floor after the loss to the Orlando Magic, without so much as a congratulatory nod. Next there is the conspiracy of the lost 'dunk' tapes. Slowly but steadily, LeBron is turning from the King to the Jester.
King's Loss
After the loss of the 6th game of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron James left the floor of the arena, without even giving the Magic players what they were due; a handshake or even, a friendly nod.. The Magic were the better team. They beat the King's team fairly, and they deserved to go to the Finals. James just could not handle it.
James has to understand that even the greatest players in the history of the NBA stayed behind and shook the hands of the winning team. Jordan always had enough respect for the other team to stay behind and shake the hands of the winner. Kobe swallowed his pride and shook the hands of the Celtics when hey beat him for last year's finals. Joe Dumars stayed behind and shook Jordan's hand, even as Isaiah Thomas led a walkout after losing to the Bulls a year after their 2 championships. James should have stayed behind.
King's Pride
Now comes the infamous conspiracy of the confiscated tapes of Jordan Crawford, a Xavier Sophomore, dunking over LeBron James at LeBron's "Skills Academy." The sophomore apparently dunked on the King during a pick-up game, while two cameras were filming. After the incident, Nike officials confiscated the tapes, undoubtedly, following James' order. They later announced that the confiscation had nothing to do with the dunk but no one really believed them.
James' pride was hurt when the young Crawford made him feel what it was like on the other side of an incredible dunk. It made him feel foolish and made him feel like a chump. So what does the King do? Act foolish and act like a chump. Have the tapes confiscated and have them erased. In doing so, he became what he wanted to avoid, a fool.
The King has Time
Fortunately for James, he has time to make amends. He still has the opportunity to be the King that he so wished to be. He still has the chance to grow up and see that congratulating winners is not sign of weakness but a sign of maturity and a sign of true champion. He has the opportunity to realize that seeing one's self as an untouchable god will only lead to alienation.
The King is turning into a Jester but all is not lost for LeBron. He just has to grow up and realize that sometimes, being a King means bowing down giving people what they are due. GP
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yossarian_Fisher
First, there was the immature act of leaving the floor after the loss to the Orlando Magic, without so much as a congratulatory nod. Next there is the conspiracy of the lost 'dunk' tapes. Slowly but steadily, LeBron is turning from the King to the Jester.
King's Loss
After the loss of the 6th game of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron James left the floor of the arena, without even giving the Magic players what they were due; a handshake or even, a friendly nod.. The Magic were the better team. They beat the King's team fairly, and they deserved to go to the Finals. James just could not handle it.
James has to understand that even the greatest players in the history of the NBA stayed behind and shook the hands of the winning team. Jordan always had enough respect for the other team to stay behind and shake the hands of the winner. Kobe swallowed his pride and shook the hands of the Celtics when hey beat him for last year's finals. Joe Dumars stayed behind and shook Jordan's hand, even as Isaiah Thomas led a walkout after losing to the Bulls a year after their 2 championships. James should have stayed behind.
King's Pride
Now comes the infamous conspiracy of the confiscated tapes of Jordan Crawford, a Xavier Sophomore, dunking over LeBron James at LeBron's "Skills Academy." The sophomore apparently dunked on the King during a pick-up game, while two cameras were filming. After the incident, Nike officials confiscated the tapes, undoubtedly, following James' order. They later announced that the confiscation had nothing to do with the dunk but no one really believed them.
James' pride was hurt when the young Crawford made him feel what it was like on the other side of an incredible dunk. It made him feel foolish and made him feel like a chump. So what does the King do? Act foolish and act like a chump. Have the tapes confiscated and have them erased. In doing so, he became what he wanted to avoid, a fool.
The King has Time
Fortunately for James, he has time to make amends. He still has the opportunity to be the King that he so wished to be. He still has the chance to grow up and see that congratulating winners is not sign of weakness but a sign of maturity and a sign of true champion. He has the opportunity to realize that seeing one's self as an untouchable god will only lead to alienation.
The King is turning into a Jester but all is not lost for LeBron. He just has to grow up and realize that sometimes, being a King means bowing down giving people what they are due. GP
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yossarian_Fisher
Best Basketball Commercials
Here we go. A look at the top five basketball commercials. Anywhere from funny basketball commercials to simply sweet ones.
5. Steve Nash with Vitamin Water: This funny basketball commercial was not widely aired, but is down right funny. It reminds me of Zoolander. So if you like that type of humor, you have to see this. It is basically Steve Nash saying all these outrageous things about himself while he is doing a model shoot and putting on makeup.
4. Be Like Mike (Gatorade) Original: The one that started it all I guys. "Like Mike, I wish a could be like Mike." How that has stuck even today. How could this not be a top commercial if even years later people are still saying "I wish I could be like Mike."
3. Nike Freestyle: This Nike commercial is exactly what it says it is. Freestyle. It has a whole bunch of people doing sick moves with the basketball. It is put together to an absolutely sweet rhythm and it makes you want to go out and learn and do the moves that the people on the commercial are doing.
2. Let Your Game Speak: Once again, a Nike commercial. I am not a Nike fan, but there commercials are good. This Nike commercial features a whole bunch of kids doing Michael Jordan moves. They then go on to do some of his highlight dunks. It ends with them having the same game winners as him. It is basically a whole bunch of kids in a Michael Jordan highlight real with sweet music. Just Awesome.
1. Kobe and Lebron Puppets: This commercials were just absolutely awesome. For once, it was like the Superbowl when watching the NBA playoffs because I could not wait until another one of these commercials came on. There was "playoffs" commercial in which Lebron is totally jacked and is running around doing his chalk ritual and Kobe is like "been there, done that." Then there is the "babysitting" commercial in which they have to babysitting this annoying little kid. The good part comes when they show the kid their shoe room and he shuts up and grabs for his inhaler. There is the "rings" commercial in which Kobe lets Lebron know about how many rings he has and the "car jump" commercial in which Kobe's puppet does Kobe's original (fake) car jump. This are just absolutely great.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Veldkamp
5. Steve Nash with Vitamin Water: This funny basketball commercial was not widely aired, but is down right funny. It reminds me of Zoolander. So if you like that type of humor, you have to see this. It is basically Steve Nash saying all these outrageous things about himself while he is doing a model shoot and putting on makeup.
4. Be Like Mike (Gatorade) Original: The one that started it all I guys. "Like Mike, I wish a could be like Mike." How that has stuck even today. How could this not be a top commercial if even years later people are still saying "I wish I could be like Mike."
3. Nike Freestyle: This Nike commercial is exactly what it says it is. Freestyle. It has a whole bunch of people doing sick moves with the basketball. It is put together to an absolutely sweet rhythm and it makes you want to go out and learn and do the moves that the people on the commercial are doing.
2. Let Your Game Speak: Once again, a Nike commercial. I am not a Nike fan, but there commercials are good. This Nike commercial features a whole bunch of kids doing Michael Jordan moves. They then go on to do some of his highlight dunks. It ends with them having the same game winners as him. It is basically a whole bunch of kids in a Michael Jordan highlight real with sweet music. Just Awesome.
1. Kobe and Lebron Puppets: This commercials were just absolutely awesome. For once, it was like the Superbowl when watching the NBA playoffs because I could not wait until another one of these commercials came on. There was "playoffs" commercial in which Lebron is totally jacked and is running around doing his chalk ritual and Kobe is like "been there, done that." Then there is the "babysitting" commercial in which they have to babysitting this annoying little kid. The good part comes when they show the kid their shoe room and he shuts up and grabs for his inhaler. There is the "rings" commercial in which Kobe lets Lebron know about how many rings he has and the "car jump" commercial in which Kobe's puppet does Kobe's original (fake) car jump. This are just absolutely great.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Veldkamp
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