NBA basketball gives the world's best players a place to play the sport after college. But the robbery of talent by utterly profit-driven, expansive and invasive NBA has caused a slump in the overall quality of the college game. This is not even arguable. Watching Mitchell and Rozier play and remembering the days of guys playing post-grad pro careers makes one weep.
Baseball in college has experienced a fascinating renaissance simply because of the limits placed on eligibility at the pro level. Granted, the servitude of minor leaguers at slave wages is also a hugely contributing factor, but the college game resembles nothing less, at its highest levels than AA Pro Baseball. It has become exciting, competitive and hugely talented. This year's draft may feature the most college players taken in earlier rounds than ever before. The best coaches in the sport experience long, stable careers and now, well-paying careers instead of facing ownership with the patience of a gnat.
I lost interest in the NBA during the mayhem era featured by the Bad Boy Pistons and the pleading for freedom of movement made by anyone with basketball sense. The refs had made the game unwatchable. For may people, watching the standard physical mayhem applied to Lebron or Steph brings those memories back again.
The NBA also damaged itself by taking all those young guys needing 3 years experience before becoming average or even competent at the game. It became far less interesting, frankly.
As someone who grew up watching Wilt, Havlichek, Gus Williams, Dennis Johnson, Barkley, Magi, Bird, Cowens, Dr J, even Griff, Derek Smith and Wes - today's pro game is a shallow reflection.
