| I'm actually a little torn on this one.
Arguments for an age limit:
1. It prevents players from declaring themselves eligible before they are ready
2. There is a huge talent gap between high school and the pros. One year of college will at least give the players some experience at a higher level
3. The sport itself benefits by being limited to players who recieved at least some fundamentals training in college
4. Playing a season of college ball may prepare the player for the rigors of a lenghty professional schedule
5. 18-year old kids may not be able to handle the responsibility of a multi-million dollar contract
6. Teams wont have to waste a roster keeping a "project" on the bench until he's ready for the big time
Arguments against an age limit:
1. It's simply not fair. You are an adult at 18, and you should be able to enter your chosen field at that age
2. Why punish guys who ARE ready to contribute right away (like LeBron and Dwight Howard) just to because of some dumb kids who think they are better than they really are?
All in all, I think I'm more in favor of it than against it. Also, individual sports are different because you're not part of a team. Ifyou're a tennis player and you lose, it only affects yourself. If you're a basketball or football player and you get drafted before you're ready, it affects the not only the team, but the coaching staff, the fans, andf the owner's bottom line. |