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[QUOTE="billsin01, post: 2571576, member: 837"]
I think the players worry about exactly what you worry about and it makes sense. I fully admit that if someone is waving a couple mill in front of me I'd have a tough time saying "nah, I'm cool playing college ball." That's why I really don't have any negative feelings about guys doing what they feel they need to do.

For most players, IMO, the idea is to somehow find a way to carve out a niche that allows them to play for 8-10 years. There are the Carmelos and Stephs, of course, and there are a lot of guys who simply aren't going to get a shot like Scoop or Cooney, etc. But there is a big group that just needs some refinement to potential bring value.

Today, those guys often end up grabbing a quick contract potentially before they are ready and then ending up in purgatory to a large extent.

What would be ideal is if the NBA developed a more robust junior league that the franchises are actually invested in and then when they spot a talent they want to take a shot at, they draft them and offer a signing bonus and contract and then the player decides. Like baseball. That way if you go early -- or too early (maybe even straight from high school) -- you are going to a situation where a team sees something it likes and at least for a few years tries to work to develop you in a real league that plays at a level truly higher than that of college ball.

Right now I don't think that exists and it makes it a tough decision b/c there is a lot of life left after these guys' playing days are over (obviously).
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