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Should the NBA raise the age limit?

Hotdog

Hotdog

Well-Known Member
I think the age should be raised to 22. I would like to see players spend the full four years in college. It would make college basketball and the NBA better. It really hurts the NBA product I think for teams to have to play players that aren't ready for the professional scene. Teams would waste less money on potential too. Teams would have the players they drafted, more years in their prime.

I could make a gigantic list of the benefits as to why it would be better all around for almost everyone. I guess the players wouldn't see it that way. But young guys often dont even know whats good for them anyways. Alot of guys could use the 4 years in college, rather than leave early and find themselves out of the league in a few years. I know its a lottery ticket waiting to be cashed and thats why the players union fights it. Thats why paying college players should be happening too.

I don't think it will happen though. Maybe a bump to 2 years might. I'd be all for the four years though.

The simple truth is though that 95% of the players who enter the league aren't ready for 3-4 years anyways.

Professional sports should be where the pros play. Not amatures


I really dont even understand why the people making these decisions even want it the way it is. Its not like any of the college players have any pull. Colleges would probably want players to stay longer. The NBA should want it.
 
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I listened to that Gunther idiot on the way home from school today rant about how he's surprised no one has sued the NBA because of its age limit. Because people can vote and serve in the military at 18 they should be allowed in the NBA. Never mind the fact that the NBA is a private corporation... I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure companies can have age limits for employment.

Even more, didn't Maurice Clarett and Co. once try and sue the NFL for the exact same reason / purpose? And he lost of course.
 
I am totally against jumping straight to the NBA.
I've made my reasons clear so many time I just can't do it again.

Two years should be the rule. Four is too many. So anything one to three is okay.

My order;
2
1
3
With nothing else being a good idea.
 
Would the age limit have to be changed in conjunction with a new CBA? Anyway, that aside, I think a combination of things has to happen for all the parties involved to be even somewhat satisfied. Make it so you have to play 2 years of college (or be 2 years out of HS if you want to play overseas). Start giving college players a bigger living stipend. I know, the NCAA would fight that forever. Finally, raise the amount of money players earn on their rookie contracts to make up for them having to wait longer to get to the NBA.
 
David Locke recently talked about this in a tip off. Look at Nerlens Noel. He plays in college and makes them a ton of money without getting a dime in it and what happens? He gets injured. If he was someone like Nerlens who was predicted to go top 3 he would sit out a season and not risk injury and work on his game for a year like Blake Griffin. I found his argument pretty convincing and I must say I probably agree with him here.
 
nightmare3983 said:
Would the age limit have to be changed in conjunction with a new CBA? Anyway, that aside, I think a combination of things has to happen for all the parties involved to be even somewhat satisfied. Make it so you have to play 2 years of college (or be 2 years out of HS if you want to play overseas). Start giving college players a bigger living stipend. I know, the NCAA would fight that forever. Finally, raise the amount of money players earn on their rookie contracts to make up for them having to wait longer to get to the NBA.
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That's a good post, nm. There is some serious lobbying going on to be able to pay the players of the 'money sports' about $4,500 per year. It makes complete sense.

If you're a swimmer, for example, you can get a job to help pay life's little expenses .. But players of the money sports cannot.. Because the NCAA is afraid of improper benefits, which I don't disagree. But these kids that are playing their guts out cant put gas in their car, fix a simple repair, or take a girl on a date.. Unless they have parents that can send money.. And some can't.

It seems very unfair the NCAA tells athletes which can and which cannot get a part-time job.. So either let everyone, or give the kids about a $85 per week to take care of the bare necessities.
 
I think they should. Full college education and NCAA experience would prepare players much aware to handle any kind of stress and tension the league and their organization could bring them.
 
Hack said:
I think the age should be raised to 22. I would like to see players spend the full four years in college.
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How about those who can't qualify for college? Should they be restricted to four years of the minor leagues, regardless of talent?
 
PKM said:
It seems very unfair the NCAA tells athletes which can and which cannot get a part-time job.. So either let everyone, or give the kids about a $85 per week to take care of the bare necessities.
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Why not royalties on merchandise?
 
One Brow said:
How about those who can't qualify for college? Should they be restricted to four years of the minor leagues, regardless of talent?
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Of course no. I think it can be arranged. College education can be holding for the player to quit and join the league until graduation.
 
PKM said:
That's a good post, nm. There is some serious lobbying going on to be able to pay the players of the 'money sports' about $4,500 per year. It makes complete sense.

If you're a swimmer, for example, you can get a job to help pay life's little expenses .. But players of the money sports cannot.. Because the NCAA is afraid of improper benefits, which I don't disagree. But these kids that are playing their guts out cant put gas in their car, fix a simple repair, or take a girl on a date.. Unless they have parents that can send money.. And some can't.

It seems very unfair the NCAA tells athletes which can and which cannot get a part-time job.. So either let everyone, or give the kids about a $85 per week to take care of the bare necessities.
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The NCAA definitely isn't about fairness. One (out of many) examples is that shortly after Cam Newton led Auburn to the national championship in football, a college basketball player in a similar situation (parent attempted to "sell" him to schools with the player supposedly being unaware) was ruled ineligible for the NCAA tourney.
 
Duck Rodgers said:
There isn't a human alive that can't get into a community college.
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However, you can only play two years on a CC team, IIRC. Also, not every player can get a scholarship to a CC basketball program, they still have certain requirements.
 
Sneakers said:
I listened to that Gunther idiot on the way home from school today rant about how he's surprised no one has sued the NBA because of its age limit. Because people can vote and serve in the military at 18 they should be allowed in the NBA. Never mind the fact that the NBA is a private corporation... I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure companies can have age limits for employment.

Even more, didn't Maurice Clarett and Co. once try and sue the NFL for the exact same reason / purpose? And he lost of course.
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I agree. The NBA is a private corporation. But most franchises receive a ton of public funds, primarily to build the infrastructure to allow the teams to play. As much as I enjoy sports, I always vote NO on using tax money to build stadiums and arenas. These can be all be funded by the owners or the leagues. Can't afford them? Then salaries will have to come down in order for owners to make a profit.

No one should have to go to college if they don't want to. The age limit is solely in effect for the benefit of, not the "student-athletes," but all those who earn a ton of money from college hoops and specifically, March Madness. Oops, I'm probably going to have someone demand I pay a fee for using that term! Sports teams should be allowed to employ any adult for any position, whether that be as a player, a ticket-taker or a cheerleader. If you have the skills for that particular job, you shouldn;t be discriminated against due to your age or lack of "college education," which we know is a farce anyway.
 
The sport team 'can' employ anyone they want, but THEY made the decision not to.. And I agree with them.

It's like an engineering firm CAN hire someone right out of HS, but.......
 
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