Why is this kid being treated like God? Is he really so much better than any other high school player? or is it just because he is so good so young? He will turn 18 in December so many people see NBA teams seriously tanking their seasons next year just to get him. Jerry Krause seems obsessed with him, Maybe he is looking for the next MJ or something. All the scouts say he is the next great NBA superstar. Can you imagine being 17 years old and having that label?
I am pretty amazed by it myself. Wasn't he on the cover of Sports Illustrated recently? I guess everyone is looking for the next Kobe etc. We are definitely entering a different era of the NBA where more and more high school athletes will get more and more coverage by mainstream media. Chris
Why don't we draft him this year? If I remember correctly the Celtics got Larry Bird by drafting him when the NBA said yu couldn't draft college players. Later the rules were changed and all the teams with higher picks wished tht they had taken him. I think a lawsuit would allow an 18 yr old to make a living by playing ball. Alternatively don't draft him. Just sign him as a free agent when he turns 18. Of course by then everyne will be bidding for him.
Bird had another year of optional eligibility as a result of having transferred from Indiana. He chose to play and then sign with the Celts after his final collegiate season-- with it's quasi-storybook ending of making it to the championship game... and losing.
This same thing (almost) happened to Felipe Lopez. If anything, this year has proved that the high school game is certainly no measure for future pro greatness (at least on an immediate sense).
