James Lang

Darius Miles

 I could look at this quandary one of two ways.  As a businessman, a man, and most importantly a human being, I fully empathize with the players and their right to try to make a living as young adults after high school.  On the other hand, I can also look at this situation as a fan and basketball purist, and as a fan and basketball purist, I think that the skill level of the NBA took an ENORMOUS dip in the years between 2001 and 2005, the years when the “straight from high school” to the NBA trend was at its peak.  Looking at the league overall, that was the worst period of basketball I had ever witnessed in my life.  The draft was more of a crap shoot than ever because teams were drafting 18 year old, “wet behind the ears”, neophytes that they KNEW wouldn’t contribute for AT LEAST three years, IF they ever ended up contributing at all.  The word “POTENTIAL” ran rampant through NBA circles.  But how much of that potential has ever come to fruition?  For every Kevin Garnett, you had a C.J. Miles, a Ricky Sanchez, and a James Lang.  For every Kobe Bryant, you had a Korleone Young, an Ndudi Ebi, and a Kwame Brown.  For every Amare Stoudemire, you had a Darius Miles, a Sebastian Telfair, and a Jonathan Bender.  For every Lebron James, you had a Leon Smith, an Eddy Curry, and a Shaun Livingston.  For every…..well…..you get my point.

I’m tired of watching bad basketball, so PLEASE make these kids go SOMEWHERE to hone their skills before entering the “big leagues”.  Isn’t that what the NBA Developmental League is SUPPOSED to be for anyway???  Just like in baseball, make your 18 year old “phenoms” play for your minor league aka D-League affiliate for a couple years, instead of abusing the purpose of the league and sending players down there as punishment and allowing 12-13 year old broke veterans to occupy slots just to get a steady paycheck.  I talk with my Homie and co-host Jimmy about this subject quite often, and we both pretty much agree that forcing kids to go to college who neither have the desire nor the intention of becoming students is a bad idea and a waste of time for these athletes and for the universities.  So NBA…PLEASE do not cave on this rule.  PLEASE restructure your “D-League” plan and utilize it correctly.  I am tired of seeing clean-faced, ultra skinny, uber athletes who do not know how to shoot, pass, dribble, THINK, or play defense.  Save your product.  Keep the rule!