This is the time of year where all is fresh, renewed and all of the male species disappear for hours at a time to live in March Madness. I always feel so rejuvenated at this time of year as warm weather returns and the thrill of sport is at it's apex. Even when I am not my best, March Madness always manages to bring a smile to my face and some comfort and solace from what is happening in the other aspects of my life. With all of that said, it feels a bit weird to write a blog expressing my disappointment in college basketball at the beginning of the major conferences crowning champions and awaiting the Christmas Day of the season, Selection Sunday. Is it me or is going to college for one year now the norm for these phenoms?
Don't get me wrong, as an ex-athlete and a basketball fan, I can appreciate someone who has extraordinary talent and can play a sport extremely well. I look at it as a gift from God that one has the gifts, talents and the physical tools to play a sport very well. Through sport, many have gone to college and achieved at a high level. So I ask the question, if you aren't trying to stay at least 2-3 years, then why are you "jerking off" the fans and then stopping before they get it in? In essence, that is what is occuring in my opinion. These players who play at the High School level like a man amongst boys get to the college level and make it seem easy. But it is bad that EVERYONE knows that "so and so is going pro next year." WHAT!??? You came long enough to give a team a great season and then off you go to further dilute the NBA talent base. There are great players in the NBA, I can agree on that. But what I see is a dilution of the civility of the league, just guys who are "professional" as it is implied that they are all professional basketball players. Nowadays, if you are in your 30's, you are considered over the hill and put out to pasture because you have guys coming into the league younger and younger.
There is however a much larger issue at play here, I am concerned about the difference between players who have phenominal skill and those who are good players but their head is soooo pumped that they believe all the hype associated with them. The former players are typicall y those who do the 1-2 years of college, grow some and get a bit of education and move on. These players typically have done well. The latter guys are the ones who come out of High School, some unknown and untested and others who are well known and tested. I see a mixed bag of success in this group and I think success here is based on the support group that you have. If a player has level headed, honest input from family and business folks, then the sky is the limit. But there have been too many who go this route and end up with nothing, far short of the dream of NBA riches and success. Couple all of that with should I go for the money or should I go because I can play also complicates things. If money is the issue, I can fully understand. Playing in college for 1-2 years as I mentioned can be a big help in achieving the goal and after hopefully making it in the league, finishing a college degree can be done. Going because you can play well is a recipe for disaster in my opinion and has been the downfall of many.
Overall, I blame both the NBA and the College Game. Colleges are supposed to be showing young men the way in education while the NBA should be looking out a bit for it's image and self-interests. From the way things are shaping up, neither cares about education or image.
