Age Aint Nothing But A Number?

So what do you think of the new NBA rule that restricts a player into the draft, if not at least 19 years old?
That is the question I ask people when we talk about basketball. I generally get the statements:
"Well, I think its bulls**t!"
OR
"If a players good enough out of high school, why not?"
AND
"Doesn't matter, I don't like basketball."
Which are all pretty legit answers if you consider my audience.

My personal assessment is if a player is as dedicated to his craft as he should be, it wouldn't matter what the rules are. Maybe its a chance to send kids off to college for a little bit more experience, without the fear of injuries. Maybe its a chance to have a player really consider his options, or finally, a way to weed out the scrubs from the ones that really love the game.
I know that the draft for a majority of athletes has everything to do with how much money they make when drafted. I feel like this game has become so consumed but its dollars signs, that it lightweight affects the sports overall. Is the age the real problem, or is it the amount of money that's lost when you know you cant profit off of an 18 year old high profile player anymore? Just a thought.

Blazers remain in search of a victory

Despite all of the hype following the Blazers selection of Greg Oden in this years NBA draft, the Blazers remain winless in summer league play at 0-2. I understand that summer league doesn't really matter but, it would be nice to see some victories. On the upside, Oden had a much better showing in the second game as he contributed 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 blocks. Hopefully Oden and the Blazers can put a few more things together and find a victory on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. when they take on the Lakers. Go Blazers!!

In Response to Mike's Josh McRobert's Bet

As I was watching the first round of the NBA Draft and weeping over the sudden departure of Zach Randolph from the Trail Blazers, I couldn't help but notice that the Philadelphia 76ers has not yet selected Josh McRoberts, a move that Mike was surely going to happen.

As the draft kept progressing, teams continually kept passing on the pure hustle, yet not very skilled player from Duke. When the draft entered the second round and McRoberts still had not landed on an NBA roster I began to ask myself, "Will this guy even get drafted?" Then we got to pick number 37 and the Portland Trail Blazers once again shocked the world and took McRoberts. I found this more shocking than anything else Portland had done all night or ever for that matter. I found the selection of McRoberts more disturbing than the salaries of Raef LaFrentz and the newly acquired Steve Francis. How does this guy fit in to Kevin Pritchard's master plan?

There is only one logical explanation as to how Portland is going to use Josh McRoberts. The answer is simply six fouls. McRoberts will share the same role and responsibilities that other storied big man such as Joe Wolf, Chris Dudley, Joe Klein, and Will Perdue did while serving their time with the Trail Blazers; keep the better players out of foul trouble.

When Mike originally said he would bet any amount of money that Philly would take McRoberts, I thought going into the Draft that was a sure thing. Now I am kicking myself for not taking that bet, and Kevin Pritchard should be kicking himself somewhat for wasting a pick.