The NCAA did something right?
Praising the NCAA is not something you’ll find us doing often.
In fact, I know that we never have, and after this mini column is written, I doubt that we ever will again. But since the college basketball season has come to a close, we are getting daily reminders of how smart the new rule is which allows a player to declare for the NBA Draft, go through the combine, get evaluated and then make a decision on staying or going, as long as they haven’t signed an agent.
Any borderline prospect would be remiss to not take advantage of this.
Not sure if you’re ready and scared that your “mentor” may not have your personal best interest at heart? Jump into the pool, but do it with these really awesome floaties on and swim back to the deck if the lifeguard says you’re not quite ready to go into the deep end.
Sure, this is going to make things a bit more difficult for college coaches in terms of roster management. If Mike Brey isn’t sure in May whether or not V.J. Beachem is going to come back to school or not, there’s not much at all he can do about it.
Oh well, they can figure it out. That’s what they’re paid millions of dollars to do, and it’s about time the best interest of the players was valued over some indigestion for the coaches.
That’s not to say coaches are up in arms about this. Brey actually pushed Beachem to test the waters, despite the fact he’s his best returning scorer. John Calipari had every player on his team declare, wanting them all to take advantage of the new rule.
Of course, the new rule is also making for some curious decisions, specifically from players who were on the fence and decided to jump in with both feet by signing an agent and ending the chances of them coming back. Michigan State’s Deyonta Davis did this Tuesday. He’s likely to get picked in the top half of the first round -- and with next year’s draft class looking much stronger, that’s certainly no guarantee a year from now. But to think about it that much and then make the decision to declare without the option to come back is odd.
Then there’s Oakland University’s Kahlil Felder, who isn’t guaranteed a thing, but still made the decision to leap with no safety net.
I’m all for betting on yourself and going to get your money. But the NCAA, which just signed another billion-dollar deal to broadcast the tournament these players are the stars of and won’t be compensated for, so rarely makes a decision that actually has the best interest of the athletes at heart, it seems wise to take advantage of it when they do.
Three Things to Read Today
Harbaugh from the top rope!
The moment we were waiting for finally came yesterday. It’s known that the NCAA’s ban on satellite camps was in direct response to Harbaugh’s romp through Southern states, while conducting camps for two straight weeks. Jim Harbaugh is always keeping us entertained . . .you’ve got to give him that. We’ve been waiting for his response and today we got it.
A story made for Detroit Lions fans
ESPN compiled a list of the worst draft moves for every NFL team since 2011. In a shocking upset it didn’t say “All of them” for the Lions. But holy crap, the Cleveland Browns section is a glorious dumpster fire.
Kobe Bryant is leaving us tonight :(
Kobe’s last NBA game is tonight, and at best fans will split time between it and the Warriors chance at history. So, here’s a bunch of Kobe Stuff:
Headlines
Best of the Rest
R.I.P to the phrase “fam” it died a sad and miserable death in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
Everything funny that could have happened here, happened here.
We’re not convinced Yasiel Puig isn’t a Jedi . . . we’ll say that much.
The Spurs are a loveable group of old doofuses
Stat of the Day
We just like the idea of Ichiro breaking a Barry Bonds record.
As a tribute to Kobe Bryant, Tim Tebow will also not be playing his sport next year
Because he is still a free agent at this time
Unsponsored and Lazy Pictures of Scoreboards
NBA Scoreboard
NHL Scoreboard
MLB Scoreboard
No comments:
Post a Comment