RealGM

How long do you think a player needs to be playing in pro sports to be considered a vet?

6-7 years imo.

In the NBA, something like when a first rounder gets a second contract, i.e. after four seasons.

I'd say after he's finished his Sophomore season. In the Military you are a veteran if you've served a tour.

I say 4.

Rookie year is about taking it all in.

Sophomore year is about recovery and fixing key deficiencies.

Third year you should be used to life in the league and your game should be filled in.

Fourth year is when you can start sharing your wisdom based on your experience.

dagger wrote:In the NBA, something like when a first rounder gets a second contract, i.e. after four seasons.

hankscorpioLA wrote:I say 4.

Rookie year is about taking it all in.

Sophomore year is about recovery and fixing key deficiencies.

Third year you should be used to life in the league and your game should be filled in.

Fourth year is when you can start sharing your wisdom based on your experience.

Agree with this. Once you've signed your first non-rookie contract* and have played a few years in the league and figured out what it's all about you're a vet. 4 years feels right.



*If you're a second rounder who signs a 1-year deal and then signs a follow-up deal the next season, i'll still consider you a young'n until you've been in the league about four years.

Probably once their rookie contract is over...so I'd say 4 years on average.

However, you could say 5-6 years if the player came to the NBA at 18-19 years old just due to maturity issues or maybe less then 4 if the player is mature and did a full 4 years at college.

Powell has been in the league for 4 years but he came after his senior year and has acted very professionally from the time he arrived.

Fred also came after his senior year and even though he's going into his 3rd year he already seems like a vet.

Really depends on the person.

Between 4-6 years seems like a decent benchmark subject to exceptions. Beyond that is too much because a huge chunk of the league can't even remain in the league that long.

7+ years.

I agree with 6-7 years ... as soon as I read the title .. for some reason .. I thought ...7yrs

I believe there’s middle ground between rookie and being a veteran ! Tho I can’t think of the term .. maybe .. experienced ?