Stern Rule Impinges on Rights of Young African Americans

That was former NBA PG Greg Anthony's take, when the new NBA rule was discussed recently on one of the ESPN NBA telecasts. Taking the most simplified view of things, Anthony is correct. Greg Oden could be making a few million dollars this year. Kevin Durant fits into the same class. Maybe there are some others. But, it's hard to feel real bad for the Greg Oden's and Kevin Durant's of the world ... who are few and far between. If they desire, they can declare for the draft after their freshman years and start making millions. LeBron James was driving a Hummer in HS because his mother was able to get a loan for it because of his potential. I bet Oden, Durant, and others like them could get similar legitimate help (not the kind Bush is reported to have received) to enhance their families quality of life if that is a concern. I don't know that Durant or Oden fit into that category, but one of Anthony's points was that these young men are prevented from providing for their families. Really? Something can probably be done if that is a major issue.

Anthony seemed very concerned that Stern had adversely affected African Americans above everyone else. While young African Americans may be more likely to enter the NBA out of HS than Caucasian Americans, I think African Americans are more likely to enter the NBA out of college than Caucasian Americans too. So, African Americans entering the draft and going in the lottery may just be bumping other African Americans down the draft order (decreasing the value of their initial contracts, right?) and maybe even out of the 1st round (the money isn't guaranteed in the 2nd round). But, that's really only a one year thing because next year's draft will probably include a number of "one and done" college players who would have declared this year if they could. That group will make up for the class of elite HS'ers from this year that are forced to wait a year before trying to make their mark in the NBA.

Another factor to look at is that for every player who comes into the league one player will be exiting it. Keeping a few HS'ers out this year allowed a few more veterans to keep their job (or allowed a few people coming out of college a shot). The pie is a certain size. The owners are trying to keep it that way. There is a salary cap and many owners are reluctant to go over it and face the luxury tax. So, do the math, if Greg Oden is taking up a chunk, there is that much less left to go around to everyone else.

Stern's rule may not be well thought out. It may not even be well-intentioned. Personally, I don't like it. I don't want to see every HS'er at the McDonald's game declare. But, at the same time, there are a few players (LBJ) who are good enough to make the jump with a fairly smooth transition. The problem is that the LBJ's of the world are few and far between. As good as Carmelo and Wade are, they needed a little more cultivating. I don't like to see elite HS'ers bypass college and waste away on NBA benches when they could be developing, and excelling, on the college level. It would make the NBA game better and it would make the college game better.

What's the solution? I'm not sure. Theoretically, it would be great if players didn't enter the league until (a) their college eligibility expired or (b) they were ready to play in the NBA. Not many HS'ers are ready to play right away. But, teams still take them because of their potential. One idea (that I just thought of) is that players who enter the draft early and are selected have to play a minimum of some number of minutes (20 per game?) or they will re-enter the draft the next year. And, players who aren't drafted are allowed to attend college without penalty (assuming they haven't already played a year in the league and are now re-entering the draft). This would either (a) dissuade teams from drafting "projects" and/or (b) allow players to develop if they are drafted because they will be playing.