Friday, July 09, 2004

College Coaches Hail King K and musings on the NBA

Well, the rat gets the cheese, and the adoration of fellow coaches, including our own Coach Hewitt:

Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt, who is supportive of the partnership with Brand, saw the dangers in Krzyzewski's possible career change. "If college presidents don't read something into Mike Montgomery leaving and Mike Krzyzewski contemplating leaving, then they don't care about college basketball."

I'm sorry, but I've heard all the arguements for and against kids going to the NBA out of high school. At the end of the day, if there is a market for 18 year olds at a professional level, they should have every right to be there. We are talking capitalism and market forces here. If the NBA wants to push out their veteran players with higher salaries in favor of young kids who will ride the pine, that is their choice. We allow 14 year olds to play professional tennis. For crying out loud, we had a 13 year old (Michellie Wie) on the WPGA. Yeah, yeah, I know, she doesn't accept winnings. Whatever.

I don't like Bobby Knight, but he said something once that made a lot of sense. "College isn't for everyone". He's right. And don't think for a second colleges were fighting for Lebron James because he would make a great student. It's all about the Benjamen's baby. You don't see these colleges fighting after these kids when their NBA careers are over, saying "come to Duke". If they have a 900 SAT score, and no NCAA eligibility, why bring 'em. There are plenty of 1400 SAT dorks who don't play hoops that will go to Duke. (I know, I know... it's like the pot calling the kettle black).

So the colleges need to stop acting so shocked and terrified that the best young players aren't gracing their level of the sport. The college game is still alive and well. There is NO other sporting event that rivals March Madness that captures the imaginations of fans and media alike.

Coaches, just accept the reality that the recruiting game just got tougher for the elite. You now have to navigate the minefield of getting commits from players that will stay 1-4 years, balance out your squad so you are not left high and dry every other year, and at the same time try to build the experience that is needed to win it all. That's life. That's called leveling the playing field. You think Xavier and Princeton were Cinderella stories.... wait to see how many glass slippers show up in the next 5 years.