The NBA is not the NFL. Players can come into the league at 18 years of age and contribute to a team. Brandon Jennings is playing the Maurice Clarett role of trying to break down an age rule. Clarett never had a chance because the NFL truly is a monopoly in its field, and because common sense says you have to be a certain age before grown men start trying to smash your head off.
But even in Clarett’s efforts there was a possible exception to the rule. Along with Clarett there were six high school football players who tried to get into the NFL. One of them was Adrian Peterson. Looking back at his freshman year at Oklahoma—and what he did as a NFL rookie—perhaps he was ready.
In the case of the NBA, there is competition from leagues overseas both in their basketball and in their currency. The U.S. Dollar is weakening with every record-setting day for oil prices, and inflation continues to rise.
International players eligible for the NBA are now signing long-term deals in Europe more often and are ultimately passing on playing in the NBA for better money in Euros overseas.
And for the first time ever, an international player that proved himself in the NBA and would’ve netted a sizable contract chose to play overseas instead.
Juan Carlos Navarro was a promising SG for the Grizzlies and could’ve made somewhere in the neighborhood of $20 million for a new contract, but instead he chose to go back to Spain.
If Jennings goes to a major European powerhouse like CSKA Moscow, Real Madrid, Panathinaikos, Partizan, or Maccabi Tel Aviv, and helps them win a Euroleague or country championship, it will start a bidding war for high school basketball standouts.
As far as the NBA and NCAA, are concerned that would be the nail in the coffin.
Since this is America, and Jennings has freedom of choice like every other American, this one-year rule might as well rest in peace.
We're going to send you the most entertaining NBA articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
24 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete