[Drew68]

I'm not a huge b-ball fan but I found this article interesting as it touched on a lot of points concerning youth and professional sports.

[You Dirty Rats]

This article has a hole in it big enough for Shaquille O'Neal to fit through.

The young players who are the most skilled in the league tend to be the foreign players. Many of them turn pro at 15 in Europe. The games between Sacramento and Dallas, with many young European stars, were far more exciting than the boring finals.

The problem isn't with kids turning pro too early. The problem is that our entire development of young players, in the playgrounds, clubs, high schools and college, is weaker than in the rest of the world. That's why there were many foreign players taken ahead of the NCAA Player of the Year, David West (drafted 18th, lowest position ever).

If we don't start learning fundementals in this country soon, the NBA will start to look like Indy Racing - all foreigners. I personally would rather watch the best players, but many people won't watch sports dominated by foreigners.

[rintense]

Tom Izzo is a class act. Period. I think only Mike K. from Duke can rival him.

As for the NBA, the year Garnett entered the draft, I believe the NBA had their 'Stay in School' campaign. What a bunch of losers.

[singletrack]

I think the question has to be why is it OK for figure skaters and gymnasts to go pro for a million bucks at 12 or 13 but not B ball payers. I think the fact that Michelle Kwan or Mart Lou Retton aren't likely to travel in a posse or use crack has a lot to dp with it..........

[Kosh5]

I had the opportunity to hear Isaith Thomas (head coach for the Pacers) speak at our quarterly briefing a couple of quarters ago. He posed the situation well: How do you (as a coach) motivate a group of teenagers who all just won the lottery?

I must admit that I was taken back by the stark, frank reality of that statement. Changed my view of basketball players forever.