You know whats amazing to me? Bill Self can sign a 10-year 30-million dollar contract and no one will blink or bat an eye. John Calipari signed a contract extension through the 2012-13 season that includes an annual raise of $500,000 and a $5-million bonus if he stays through the end of the contract. Brandon Jennings shuns the NCAA and their ridiculous rules and he is criticized for making a decision that will allow him to take care of his family.
After Jennings' decision, I had to listen to Lute Olson complain about how he will never recruit a one-and-done player ever again (He also lost Bayless after one year). Keep in mind that Lute Olson has made millions of dollars because of the athletes that he has been able to recruit and who have allowed him to be called a championship coach. So why is Lute mad?
Lute is mad because. without Brandon Jennings, he and Arizona go from a Pac-10 contender to a team that will struggle to get into the NCAA tournament. In other words, it impacts his bottom line. There are coaches who care about these kids. but. mostly. they care about their next contract. In fact, many coaches care very little about these kids. They will leave for another job at the drop of the dime or sign ridiculous contracts while knowing that these kids (see OJ Mayo) can't accept a meal less they be investigated for improper gifts.
So while I hear Dick Vitale and others who champion college as a necessity for these gifted athletes, I think in most cases the root of their disdain is that these coaches miss out on an opportunity to add to their resumes. Let me re-type this contract again; 10-years and 30-million dollars.
Look, these kids want the same things out of life that their coaches want. They want financial security and an ability to take care of their family. So why criticize a kid who seeks to do the very thing college coaches have an opportunity to do? So please, save the story on how kids need college especially when that song and dance comes from college coaches and media. They don't need college to be great players. In reality, these coaches need these top recruits more than these top recruits need them. Don't believe me? Ask the bank accounts of Bill Self and John Calipari.
Preach
Here's the thing though. These kids aren't getting dicked because in the end they get a FREE EDUCATION AT A MAJOR UNIVERSITY. Should Brandon Jennings blow out his knee or sustain some other type of major injury, what then? He doesn't have anything to fall back on, seeing as he chose not to go to college.
Well, if the kid has the possibility of being picked #1, he's guranteed about 8 million over the first 2 years (see link below). If he blows out his knee, he'll still have plenty of money to get by. Most people dont make 1 million over a LIFETIME of working. What if he blows out his knee in college? He'll have nothing... Will the school still give his scholarship if he gets hurt his freshman or sophmore year? No!
It's a no brainer to go to the NBA ASAP if you have the possibility to pick up in the first half if the first round.
Rookie salaries -
http://www.mynbadraft.com/nba-rookie-salary-scale-2008/101
Excellent article! I think this is the beginning of a trend where potential one-and-dones will simply go to Europe to get paid while also gaining experience, which is what many people in college do with their internships and co-ops. The kids who aren't first round picks are the only ones interested in staying for 4 years. People also need to remember that college isn't for everybody. I wish people would stop using the free education argument because it's tired and cliche. As useful as a degree may be, it does not guarantee success in this world. I know folks with engineering degrees working in call centers! We live in a country where it's all about the bottom line and if players have to go overseas to get it, then so be it. Hopefully David Stern doesn't try to pull another punk move by further restricting players from entering the league.
I hear you... and when the player that passed up the NBA to stay in school like a dummy and then blows out all those "CL's"... all they'll say and write is "oh what a shame what happened to him, pity him and give him his little 5 to 10 minute segment on ESPN and move on. Meanwhile the kid has to try and live with that horrible decision that will haunt his life until he's dead and gone.
That stay in school thing is like some type of tricknowledgy or a lame brainwashing attempt.