UK v G-League

[Random UK Fan_rivals71127]

Now that commits can be approached about skipping college for the G-League, I can still see how UK might have a more-broad appeal as the route to take over an increased salary. I can see pointing out to these kids that “Yeah, you can grab the money and play in dark, near-empty arenas and hope to get noticed, or you can stay at UK and be seen across the country, shine on a national level and raise your draft stock.”

Anything you’d throw in there too?

 

[Estil]

Is the G-League sponsored by Gatorade or something? The name sure sounds like it!

 

[drew_ukfan_rivals]

Only thing that could convince me to go college over GLeague is the pu$$y

 

[akaukswoosh]

Now that commits can be approached about skipping college for the G-League, I can still see how UK might have a more-broad appeal as the route to take over an increased salary. I can see pointing out to these kids that “Yeah, you can grab the money and play in dark, near-empty arenas and hope to get noticed, or you can stay at UK and be seen across the country, shine on a national level and raise your draft stock.”

Anything you’d throw in there too?

Fail.

 

[Random UK Fan_rivals71127]

Fail.

Signed,

T. Clarke

 

[Lempface]

Is the G-League sponsored by Gatorade or something? The name sure sounds like it!

Yes it was the D League until Gatorade bought the naming rights.

 

[Estil]

Yes it was the D League until Gatorade bought the naming rights.

At least when NASCAR's minor league circuit was sponsored by Busch it fit perfectly...you know, Busch league?

And what was it called the "D League" without an A, B, and C league?

 

[Random UK Fan_rivals71127]

Busch league?

I’ve seen another website by that name, but can’t link it. . . this is a family board.

 

[JasonS.]

Winston Bennett has the best answer to this.

If you know that I mean ...

 

[EmCats3]

At least when NASCAR's minor league circuit was sponsored by Busch it fit perfectly...you know, Busch league?

And what was it called the "D League" without an A, B, and C league?

It was D League for “Developmental League”

 

[catfanblu]

At least when NASCAR's minor league circuit was sponsored by Busch it fit perfectly...you know, Busch league?

And what was it called the "D League" without an A, B, and C league?

"D"evelopmental League

 

[IFerg1969]

Okay, I'll go ahead and say it, and I have no idea if logistically this would even be possible, I think the NBA and NCAA need to get together and make college basketball the developmental league. It's either that or college hoops gets sent back to the stone ages talent wise once the OAD is gone.

Instead of promoting a developmental G-League that literally no one cares about, why not do your best to preserve college basketball and make it the developmental league.

Honestly, if you aren't prepared enough to play in the NBA after 4 years of college ball, it might be time to rethink your career options anyway. There will always be international leagues to play professionally if you just can't do anything else after college.

I realize this flies in the face of what amateur sports is supposed to be about. We're on the verge of college players getting paid anyway. Let's just take the next step. What is there to lose at this point?

 

[CatOfDaVille]

If it was just the G league salary that we had to compete with, I'd agree with the OP.

However, when you factor in the millions in shoe contracts and other endorsements that these kids can make immediately out of high school, it becomes a bit more difficult for UK to compete.

If the NCAA would get their head out of their asses and allow players to profit off their likeness, the playing field would level a bit.

Until then, I feel that more and more players will take the G league route regardless of the lack of fans...although having some superstars will certainly help out in that area.

In the meantime, Cal needs to continue to recruit highly-rated players that want a year of high-level coaching looking at their long-term improvement and sustainability.

 

[Random UK Fan_rivals71127]

If it was just the G league salary that we had to compete with, I'd agree with the OP.

However, when you factor in the millions in shoe contracts and other endorsements that these kids can make immediately out of high school, it becomes a bit more difficult for UK to compete.

If the NCAA would get their head out of their asses and allow players to profit off their likeness, the playing field would level a bit.

Until then, I feel that more and more players will take the G league route regardless of the lack of fans...although having some superstars will certainly help out in that area.

In the meantime, Cal needs to continue to recruit highly-rated players that want a year of high-level coaching looking at their long-term improvement and sustainability.

@Smashcat

THIS is a perfect example of stating you disagree. It’s a thinking man’s method. He showed his work, and also got my “like” instead of using a lazy “fail”. One method earns respect, the other noted. . . and promptly discredited.

No need to respond. The opinion is formed and set like concrete.

 

[bigc45157]

Guys like Jalen Green aren’t moving the needle for fan support. Zion, Wiggins (before he was somewhat exposed), LaMelo, etc types can generate buzz because of their online profile. Jalen Green, while super talented, isn’t creating G League fandom.

 

[Trinity45]

Now that commits can be approached about skipping college for the G-League, I can still see how UK might have a more-broad appeal as the route to take over an increased salary. I can see pointing out to these kids that “Yeah, you can grab the money and play in dark, near-empty arenas and hope to get noticed, or you can stay at UK and be seen across the country, shine on a national level and raise your draft stock.”

Anything you’d throw in there too?

I would say it is not even about the crowds etc, it would be more like can you compete with grown *** men who are all trying to make the NBA, if you don't produce you will most likely be sitting down at the end of the bench. Now there are a handful of high school seniors who can do that and make a name for themselves, most will end up out of the G league in about 3 years.

 

[king of cali]

What is this “hope to get noticed “? It’s such a fallacy that these guys are gonna get lost in the shuffle if they go the G-League route. You talk as if scouts aren’t at every game and reporting back who is doing what. And this will be doubly true for high profile recruits.

In some cases, UK might be a better choice. In others, the opposite will be true. It’s not uniform across the board.

 

[Random UK Fan_rivals71127]

What is this “hope to get noticed “? It’s such a fallacy that these guys are gonna get lost in the shuffle if they go the G-League route.

It conjures images of Dakari Johnson, Marquis Teague and others that went to the D league that aren’t as easy to remember now.

 

[Eastkybball]

This is a great thread I think. Brought up the subject that it’s UK vs G league, like I think Strickland went after Clarke.

 

[bucsrule8872]

How many of you guys would have turned down a half a million dollars to play basketball right out of HS?

This is basically sending us back to pre-Age Limit except it will be a little more selective. Probably only the top 5 or so prospects every year will get that kind of offer. Luckily, Cal hasn’t really relied on top 5 talent recently. UK will still get 1-2 top 10 guys and 2-3 top 25 guys every year. Unfortunately we will still lose 7-8 players every year as well. As they say, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

 

[blubo]

How many of you guys would have turned down a half a million dollars to play basketball right out of HS?

This is basically sending us back to pre-Age Limit except it will be a little more selective. Probably only the top 5 or so prospects every year will get that kind of offer. Luckily, Cal hasn’t really relied on top 5 talent recently. UK will still get 1-2 top 10 guys and 2-3 top 25 guys every year. Unfortunately we will still lose 7-8 players every year as well. As they say, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

I agree. the $500k in itself won’t change much. only a few top shelf oad’s will get that offer.
Even if a substantial number of guys should start going to the G, UK and blue bloods will still get the cream of the crop.
*as long as cal is here.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I agree. the $500k in itself won’t change much. only a few top shelf oad’s will get that offer.
Even if a substantial number of guys should start going to the G, UK and blue bloods will still get the cream of the crop.

Yup.

The G-League will go bankrupt if they start handing out deals like that like candy.

It will probably be limited to 4-5 guys a year.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

OP,

If you want college basketball to compete with the G-League's new incursions into our sport, then start allowing players to receive compensation through endorsements.

The professional/amateur argument is so antiquated and tired by now. There is no sacred and fundamental line between the two when it comes to college athletes. It's just the result of a paradigm that no longer works.

The school doesn't even have to pay. Just let others pay if they so choose. Let the free market determine the value of the endorsement deal. Additionally, if it's so puritanically "amateur", why do we allow people to legally bet on the sport?

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

Now that commits can be approached about skipping college for the G-League, I can still see how UK might have a more-broad appeal as the route to take over an increased salary. I can see pointing out to these kids that “Yeah, you can grab the money and play in dark, near-empty arenas and hope to get noticed, or you can stay at UK and be seen across the country, shine on a national level and raise your draft stock.”

Anything you’d throw in there too?

Hats off to Cal for pulling away from Todd and Green while others put a lot of time and energy into them. Cal seems dialed in for the guys feeding him BS.

 

[FinancialPlannerZac]

Honest question: How does this exactly work? A kid can leave immediately after high school to go to the G-League? Then does the affiliated NBA team have the rights to that player from then on, or then are they headed to the draft?

I'd appreciate the help in understanding. Thanks!

 

[RoyKent]

Honest question: How does this exactly work? A kid can leave immediately after high school to go to the G-League? Then does the affiliated NBA team have the rights to that player from then on, or then are they headed to the draft?

I'd appreciate the help in understanding. Thanks!

These guys are not affiliated to any NBA team. They would go into the following draft as normal.

 

[bucsrule8872]

OP,

If you want college basketball to compete with the G-League's new incursions into our sport, then start allowing players to receive compensation through endorsements.

The professional/amateur argument is so antiquated and tired by now. There is no sacred and fundamental line between the two when it comes to college athletes. It's just the result of a paradigm that no longer works.

The school doesn't even have to pay. Just let others pay if they so choose. Let the free market determine the value of the endorsement deal. Additionally, if it's so puritanically "amateur", why do we allow people to legally bet on the sport?

Or we can just let them go to the G-League and get paid if they are good enough and let those that aren’t good enough to get paid play “amateur” sports in college.

I’m cool with paying players or letting them make money, but that isn’t the “only” solution.

 

[GonzoCat90]

In the very very short term, this may help us. The kids looking for the instant (and literal) payday, weren't coming here anyway.

But we're about one recruiting cycle away from this having a foundation, a clear pitch, and evidence. If they treat JG right and he's a top 2-3 pick, it's that much harder for the next kid to say no. If it flops, the opposite is true.

Both sides are going to be scrambling, because this is an arms race. I'm afraid the NCAA is going to realize they can't compete and just cling to idealism, going further in the wrong direction.

The NBA seems to be taking this more seriously than they ever have, and typically when they do that, things get figured out.

Clock is ticking.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Or we can just let them go to the G-League and get paid if they are good enough and let those that aren’t good enough to get paid play “amateur” sports in college.

I’m cool with paying players or letting them make money, but that isn’t the “only” solution.

It's the only answer if you want to have an abundance of high-quality players (i.e., guys who will someday crack an NBA rotation) in college basketball.

 

[aceman509]

Guys like Jalen Green aren’t moving the needle for fan support. Zion, Wiggins (before he was somewhat exposed), LaMelo, etc types can generate buzz because of their online profile. Jalen Green, while super talented, isn’t creating G League fandom.

There are only a handful of guys since 2009 that I can think of that would draw any sort of viewership based off of the hype and national following they built while in high school. Off the top of my head:

John Wall
Austin Rivers
Andrew Wiggins
Lonzo Ball
Ben Simmons
Zion Williamson

That is really it. I think once the G League fails to see the interest they expect this next season they may rethink things.

 

[UK_fan_41102]

Only thing that could convince me to go college over GLeague is the pu$$y

With a $500,000 G-League contract, that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[seccats04]

The G-League had to up the ante because many NCAA school$ like L$U, Kan$a$, Loui$ville, Duke, Auburn, U$C, Arizona, Oklahoma $t, etc have been paying at least six figures for quite some time.

But at least we have honest recruits like Zion that were being offered a large sum of money to attend Kan$a$ but instead chose to play for free at Duke.