AboveLegit

Title says it all.

What you are not understanding is the effect this has on the QUALITY of the game. How is it that of all of the pro sports, it is only basketball that people even question the talent of today compared to yesterday. Even the NFL players of 15 years ago get destroyed by todays players. What has changed so drastically in the NBA that has caused this decline of overall talent. It isn't that more people are playing soccer.... Basketball has grown faster internationally than any other sport. My theory, is that the youth movement, through both AAU and a lack of college restrictions has led to a decline in the game. That just hasn't developed and you convince me as to why. Other than saying that they were the greatest. Why aren't todays greatest AS great? Whats the missing link? I can't argue with you that guys that were talented enough to make the jump in a couple of situations have done better than many who don't, but thats not entirely the big picture. My biggest point is that those players were NOT ready for the NBA WHEN THEY CAME OUT. Regardless of what their careers have brought, they were not the players near their prime that they should have been and would have been if they came out later. The reason that that is detrimental is because it sets back franchises that are already the worse in the league. Before I go any further, what is the most profitable and popular sport in America, the NFL. What has the NFL truly established in the last 10 years? Jermaine O'Neal is the perfect example of what I'm talking about. He was drafted out of high school and essentially spent his first 4 years in the NBA doing the development he should have been doing in college for 4 years. He was NOT NBA ready, even though he had the makeup of an eventual all star. So what happens? Portland pays him millions of dollars to develop his skills for 4 years, so that he can get out of his contract when he was ACTUALLY ready to contribute so that he could become an all star on Indiana. Now, I know that you will tell me that GM's should know better and shouldn't have drafted him, but the cycle that has now been created has left the college ranks so dry because of early entrants, the only thing NBA franchises have left to choose from is "talented" but untested freshman and sophomores, rather than proven AND skilled upperclassmen ready to contribute at elite levels. LOL is that why tv ratings are up 11% from last year from the tourney? No matter what, fans love the college game, especially those that attend universities that are top ranked basketball programs. I don't think you fully grasped the concept of a CBA...You do realize the NBA is instituting all of this, the NCAA while gladly would accept the opportunity to play these talented kids, have no part in this decision. Yes, just tell that to Latrell Sprewell, Kenny Anderson, and even Scottie Pippen.... Don't be stupid, everyone needs to be educated, it doesn't matter who you are. Come back to me when you actually have an open mind about this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7bXwIdn7MM http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/11/charlie-villanueva-snaps-on-court-tries-to-carry-fight-to-locker-room

Celtics in 5...I would have much rather liked to see the Knicks play the Heat, I think it favors them more than the Celtics match up because Amare won't get his way with KG like he would with Bosh. Pierces loves to play in MSG, I'd be surprised if the Knicks got more than a game in this series.

Yes, because for every John Wall or Derrick Rose, there's a ton of unproven talent that forces teams to draft potential busts. The age limit, along with this new proposal reduces this issue to an extent, which only helps the quality of draft prospects. I'd rather have ready made, complete players available...especially as a Wizards fan who's had his fair share of disappointments when it comes to the draft. This just simply has not been the case since the influx of early entry players began. Again, there are exceptions, but there are more examples of failed talent because of direct jumps. I'm sick of seeing players being drafted based on potential, especially with the way the league is today.

Well it's all set, the Celtics will play the Knicks in the playoffs. Great effort tonight, love the intensity, and what a way to close out the last home game of the season. Dray is playing great as is McGee, Crawford, and Wall. John still hasn't been hitting his shot consistently, but he's staying aggressive and getting to the line.

Or because the NBA thought it would be beneficial to the players to play a year at the college level to mature and develop..

We need to lose this game, but Doc isn't doing us any favors by resting the starting line up... :/

Yup, and it's probably going to get worse with Barnes probably going back to school.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-austin_rivers_nba_age_limit_duke_draft_040811

Apparently he's going pro. http://twitter.com/#!/NBADraftInsider

http://twitter.com/#!/goodmanonfox/status/57552398159319040 Great...one less option for the Wiz to choose from...this draft is getting weaker by the day.

Again, Rondo finally gets in the paint, and instantly the offense becomes that much better. 9-0 run for the Celtics. I know some of it had to do with missed shots in the first half, but Rajon should've kept the game under his control. When he dictates the tempo of this offense, they win games.

Why is Glen Davis the focal point of the offense when Ray is on the floor? We've hardly seen Ray run those baseline cuts today, there's absolutely no flow to this offense. I don't know how many times I've seen Big Baby hold the ball for 10 seconds, and throwing up junk. Pathetic performance today, I'm actually somewhat worried about them in the first round against Philly or NYK...

Before that block, did anyone else notice how much better the Celtics looked when Rondo decided to play more aggressively? He's the key if the Celtics plan on coming back in this one.

Never seen the Celtics play this lazy in such a crucial game.

http://gif.mocksession.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/BOSHDROOL.gif.pagespeed.ce.yPFLjuIkTJ.gif

Boston has 9 rebs as a team...They desperately need Shaq healthy if they plan on beating Miami.. Rondo needs to penetrate into the lane more, he hasn't done shit in the first half.

He's only mad that Rondo dived for the ball near his ankles..

Lol Jermaine nearly got trucked.

Garnett 6-6 FG, rest of the team is 5-16....Not going to cut it.

Gotta get Ray Allen going, he has one shot so far.

Terrible end to the quarter for the Celtics, Miami is playing the passing lanes really well right now.

Great game for Rose, for anyone who doesn't think he's the MVP, that's 29 straight FT's over 4 games, including two clutch one's at the end of todays game to clinch it. He's been so impressive in the clutch this season, if he didn't make the offensive play to set up Gibson for FT's, and the defensive play at the end to keep Nelson from getting the shot off on time (and Rose not fouling), then the Magic win it.