Kareem Abdul Jabbar Believes Minimum NBA Entry level should be 21

To me that would be dumb. College is for kids that want to go you shouldnt make them go.

 

Opinions are like ******** -- everybody has one.

 

Derp Derp Derp.

 

i respect KAJ to the fullest but i don't agree with him here.

 

they don't have to go to college. if they really want to be a pro they can play overseas or in the d-league.

 

Kareem has always had this persona about him... like he is a scholar and his opinions should matter. Like all should be silent and listen the rare occasions he actually speaks. I don't get it. He hasn't really proved anything to me. His commentary holds no weight.

 

So he can protect his NBA points record forever, LOL

 

ya ok, then whats the difference between jumping from highschool to NBA than to a pro basketball league in Europe.

in my opinion the age limit thing is stupid, it really does nothing, those that want to be in the nba will go to college for 1 year and then declare, like thats one year is gonna make a huge difference for them.

 

He's arguably the most decorated player in the history of basketball and as such his commentary on the game of basketball should hold a lot of weight.

 

A 21 year old is exponentially more mature than an 18 year old.

 

Totally, the dudes got his terminal degree in basketball. But we would have to change the whole culture of sports in America to get kids to stop caring about the money and start caring about becoming a better person. Even your average high school student acts like that.

 

The guy had an incredible career. Way past the age when most players are hoping they can still walk on a golf course, he was still playing, still winning championships. Hell yes, his words should carry weight when he is talking about basketball. He said that players leaving college early were hurting the college game. He is right. It is. Will a college coach come straight out and say that? No, because he wants to recruit kids who want to go to a school that will help them make it to the NBA, kids that are stars in high school and, yes, frequently believe everything should be handed to them on a platter. He said even players like James could have benefited from going to college. In my opinion, he is right.

Frankly, I didn't see much to disagree with. He said about Airplane, "I guess it’s a classic.” It is.

 

Said it before, will say it again:

1) D-League needs to give each team a single roster spot $200k (non-guaranteed) salary exception for one undrafted player each season. Their max as it stands is $25k - minimum wage dollars. Let them compete for non-college type phenoms against the dollars of Euro teams, USC/Calipari college boosters, and agents. Give the one-and-dones a professional choice that would really prep them for the pros.

2) Enact new rule - if you accept an NCAA college athletic scholarship, you are ineligible to enter the draft for 3 years. Even if you flunk out. You commit, you commit. You want college, you better be getting an education.

I'm sick of the sham student-athlete NCAA circus. I'm sick of the one and done uncoachable brats that are polluting college and pro ball.

Don't lock out the next LeBron James from making the jump early.

 

I second that opinion. Kareem is one of the most thoughtful athletes you'll ever encounter. His career achievements alone give him the authority to speak. Combine that with an above average intellect for a human being much less and athlete, and I think he deserves the platform.

 

Yea thats true. I just hate the fact that a lot of kids play one year because they were force to.

 

Should every job have a 21 year old age limit?

 

Exactly. If you can ball, you can play. I think they should get rid of the one year out of high school requirement as is.

GMs just trying to protect themselves from themselves is what it is. If you can't pick a good potential candidate don't pick them. Don't blame people for trying to make a living, forcing them to go to college when they have no interest in academics. If you can ball should you waste 3 years of the prime of your youth so you can play professionally? Doesn't make sense.

I also hate how the NCAA exploits so called "student" athletes. Biggest farce ever.

If you can serve your country at 18 through and be legally considered an adult then you should also be able to pursue a NBA career (or any other career for that matter).

 

you are looking at it from only the players perspective.

the nba wanted an age limit (20yrs) because teams were drafting high school kids based on potential who rarely panned out. it's just not good business. in some cases all they had was potential, in others they could've been something if they werent so immature. its better for the nba to only accept older players through the draft. teams will have a better idea of what they are getting (less busts) and there will be less off the court trouble.

thats whats best for the nba. what the players do with their time between high school and the nba is up to them.

 

nobody is forcing the teams to play 18 yo rookies. if they're good enough they will get PT if not then they will end up in D-League or overseas.