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by **Frank the Tank** » 16 Feb 2005, 13:14

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/050216

Sharply worded, no holds barred. A great effort by Mr. Simmons, and one that's tough to refute.

by **TheWolf** » 16 Feb 2005, 14:14

So far it's a strong week for SG. I'm still pretty peeved about going a whole week with zero new content, but he's found his fastball twice this week with a great Ramblings and now this, even though it's a magazine column so doesn't really count. I thought the Intern contest finalists were supposed to be coming today though; where the hell is that?

by **Tecmo Bo** » 16 Feb 2005, 14:41

Solid effort, but no major laugh out loud points. I'd give it a B/B-

by **Snake** » 16 Feb 2005, 15:46

It does have the added benefit of being all true. After watching this whole Rafer Alston soap opera I'm sure that Sam Mitchell didn't help the situation. Even Eric Williams(?!?!) is asking for a trade now. Best of luck to Toronto EEEEVVVVEEEERRRR attracting another major free agent. I blame the Raptors for letting Vince get away with it as much as Vince for working within the system.

by **Big Scary Monster** » 17 Feb 2005, 01:13

He brings up a good point though. How would the NBA be different if people didn't have guaranteed contracts?

by **ryguy81783** » 17 Feb 2005, 08:47

College ball would be better ...

I brought this point up the other night at my apartment - Who is the last "superstar" that you saw play in college?

Tim Duncan? Vince Carter (border superstar)? Melo (maybe superstar, but even he only played for a year in school)?

LeBron, Kobe, KG, Amare, Nowitski, McGrady, Jermaine O'Neal, etc - none of them played a minute on a U.S. campus

I think the days of seeing superstars play in college are gone. You'll never see another Shaq or Patrick Ewing ever again. At the most, NBA stars might play one season (see: Marbury, Iverson, Melo).

If the contracts weren't gaurenteed, maybe that free college degree that basketball players could earn in the NBA would mean more as something to fall back on - maybe more of them would go to college first! I'd love to see more exciting players in the college game, that end up being exciting players in the pros. The Baby Bulls have a few good ex-college kids, but most of players who needed to play in college to be drafts are going to end up being nothing more than role players.

I love this game.

by **mister bacon** » 17 Feb 2005, 11:14

ryguy81783 wrote:College ball would be better ...

I brought this point up the other night at my apartment - Who is the last "superstar" that you saw play in college?

Tim Duncan? Vince Carter (border superstar)? Melo (maybe superstar, but even he only played for a year in school)?

LeBron, Kobe, KG, Amare, Nowitski, McGrady, Jermaine O'Neal, etc - none of them played a minute on a U.S. campus

I think the days of seeing superstars play in college are gone. You'll never see another Shaq or Patrick Ewing ever again. At the most, NBA stars might play one season (see: Marbury, Iverson, Melo).

If the contracts weren't gaurenteed, maybe that free college degree that basketball players could earn in the NBA would mean more as something to fall back on - maybe more of them would go to college first! I'd love to see more exciting players in the college game, that end up being exciting players in the pros. The Baby Bulls have a few good ex-college kids, but most of players who needed to play in college to be drafts are going to end up being nothing more than role players.

I love this game.

Very good points my friends my friend. You are absolutely correct. However also look at that list, and outside of KG and Kobe (did he ever actually play for the hornets?), all of these guys have been traded by the original teams by the time they have really hit their peaks. Lebron and 'Melo we don't know about yet... Drafting these guys is a mistake in my opinion since by the time they actually figure out what they are doing, their rookie contracts expire and they are unrestricted free agents.

Its a terrible catch-22.

by **pteaxwa** » 17 Feb 2005, 13:20

mister bacon wrote:Very good points my friends my friend. You are absolutely correct. However also look at that list, and outside of KG and Kobe (did he ever actually play for the hornets?),

FYI, Kobe never played for the Hornets; his draft rights were traded to the Lakers for Vlade. And yes, college basketball is definitely past its heyday, but ESPN is really pushing it hard. There are some guys worth watching like Chris Paul at Wake.

As for the guaranteed contracts it's really not so much of an issue for rookies, 1st round picks get a "guaranteed" contract but 2nd rounders don't. Guaranteed contracts in the NBA become an issue when a guy signs his second and third contract. They bust ass for a season during their contract year and lay on cruise control for the next few, until they come into a contract year. The NFL has a better system with portions of the contract are guaranteed (bonuses) and the base salary is not if a player is released.

by **Snake** » 17 Feb 2005, 18:03

Dwayne Wade, Dwayne Wade, Dwayne Wade. That kid is unbelievable and played 3 years at Marquette. He may go down as the last college superstar.

by **mister bacon** » 18 Feb 2005, 04:21

Snake wrote:Dwayne Wade, Dwayne Wade, Dwayne Wade. That kid is unbelievable and played 3 years at Marquette. He may go down as the last college superstar.

You know, before I got on a plane today I watched him and Rece David play each other in the 2k2 season on ESPN classic today. You are absolutely correct. I forgot about him. The rings are still going to the college guys though. Outside of Kobe, none of those guys have won shit.

by **pteaxwa** » 18 Feb 2005, 08:24

mister bacon wrote:The rings are still going to the college guys though. Outside of Kobe, none of those guys have won shit.

I think that's more a function of the age of the guys who have come out of high school. Kevin Garnett is still only 28 and he is the first and oldest of the new wave of HS'ers (post M. Malone and Kemp). Most of the other guys are still extremely young. Over time, a lot of these HS->NBA players will have rings as so many of them are team centerpieces.

Also, you forgot about Darko! He has a ring and didn't go to college.

by **joshuajwill** » 18 Feb 2005, 09:37

pteaxwa wrote:Also, you forgot about Darko! He has a ring and didn't go to college.

the new guy stays.

p.s. thanks for the logo

by **mister bacon** » 18 Feb 2005, 11:55

Ugh. I guess technically you are correct.

Damn!

by **Tecmo Bo** » 18 Feb 2005, 12:48

Darko was also already a Professional Basketball Plyaer before he came to the US, so he doesn't belong in the HS group either.

by **mister bacon** » 18 Feb 2005, 12:58

*Whew*

Thats also why the Frenchman doesnt count either.

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