NBAPA Lawyer: Double standard exists regarding age limit for black basketball players and white athletes in other sports

[Domejandro]

Of course you will get the standard ignorant white guy response that it has nothing to do with race. When you're white, it's a lot easier to not see race. But this is clearly a racist policy- one that disproportionately affects black athletes and lines the NCAA's pockets.

What about all of the white athletes? This is a serious question, I am not being facetious, what about the white athletes?

Oh wait, I understand the sentiment completely. White people are simply not part of the mix because the percentages show that the majority of the athletes are African American. Those white guys are not prone to the exploits, just the African Americans.

Listen, I think that the age limit should be lowered for a variety of reasons, but the double-standard that National Basketball Player's Association (and to a minor extent you) are blatantly flaunting is pretty disgraceful. This is clearly a corrupt system that, as you state, "lines the NCAA's pockets", but the idea that race is involved is absolutely flawed logic that causes more separation between different racial communities.

Not everyone is trying to exploit African Americans, hell, even the NCAA is not trying to just simply exploit African American athletes. They are exploiting everybody! Inserting race into a situation that clearly does not involve it is a spineless, yet intelligent, tactic that the NBAPA is using to force the NBA into an awful political situation. It is nothing more, and nothing less.

Do not let flawed politics corrupt common sense. Racism is alive, and it exists, but for people to use race as an issue for absolutely anything really sets the world back. I would say it helps nobody, but sadly it is often times the best tactic to receive what somebody wants. If anything, it promotes racism, but that is a hypocrisy that does not need to be dove into at this time.

EDIT: In addition, this argument is highly flawed. The National Football League's system is far more corrupt, and yet it is not mentioned in the article. Why? Because it does not fit the imagery that the NBAPA's lawyers are trying to create. It is pure silliness.

EDIT2: Other people beat me to the NFL comments, but the point still stands. In addition, what about the fantastic European players that this affects? Often they are not considered, but impressive players exist in Europe quite often. It is not as prevalent, but Europeans also miss out on making NBA money because of the system. Now, my argument is flawed because they receive pay in Europe, but it does postpone their dreams and forces them to stay in a place where their Draft stock can plummet considerably. Totally different situation, but not just African Americans are screwed by the scummy system.

[BKing10]

This makes no sense. The NBAPA agreed to the age restriction. So are they racist? Is the NBA racist? They compare hockey and baseball, but what does that have to do with the NBA (a separate organization) and their collectively bargained rules? It's not like whites don't have the same rules. The union needs to stop crying about things they agreed to

[Bill Bradley]

Why wasn't football mentioned?

Oh, I know why, cause there are black, white, Hispanic players, and an age limit. Gotta fit that racist narrative though

NFL: 68% black
NBA: 69% black

Both racist and exploitive.

You made my point for me and yet 20 people liked your comment. Wonder why.

[Zenith]

Of course you will get the standard ignorant white guy response that it has nothing to do with race. When you're white, it's a lot easier to not see race. But this is clearly a racist policy- one that disproportionately affects black athletes and lines the NCAA's pockets.

Yeah, who wants a free education?

Ummm what "education" are you talking about....thinking these schools care about their basketball and football athletes, where the majority are minorities, is absolutely delusional.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... am-classes

http://www.businessinsider.com/lawsuit- ... ses-2015-1

You want more examples? Syracuse was in the news today for having other people do their players class work. The "free education argument" died years ago, get with the times.

[mademan]

Of course you will get the standard ignorant white guy response that it has nothing to do with race. When you're white, it's a lot easier to not see race. But this is clearly a racist policy- one that disproportionately affects black athletes and lines the NCAA's pockets.

Yeah, who wants a free education?

Not student-athletes..especially ones with primary goals of going pro. I'm not sure how anybody can look at what the NCAA does in a capitalist society and think it's right. It's illegal in soo many ways

[Bill Bradley]

This makes no sense. The NBAPA agreed to the age restriction. So are they racist? Is the NBA racist? They compare hockey and baseball, but what does that have to do with the NBA (a separate organization) and their collectively bargained rules? It's not like whites don't have the same rules. The union needs to stop crying about things they agreed to

The players union does not really benefit from younger players entering the draft. There is still the same number of roster spots. NBA owners (old conservative white guys) seem to have disproportionate power in the NBA and can dictate terms. Doesn’t mean it’s not a racist policy.

[Froob]

Of course you will get the standard ignorant white guy response that it has nothing to do with race. When you're white, it's a lot easier to not see race. But this is clearly a racist policy- one that disproportionately affects black athletes and lines the NCAA's pockets.

Yeah, who wants a free education?

A lot of that education is bull at most schools.

[TyCobb]

Of course you will get the standard ignorant white guy response that it has nothing to do with race. When you're white, it's a lot easier to not see race. But this is clearly a racist policy- one that disproportionately affects black athletes and lines the NCAA's pockets.

Yeah, who wants a free education?

Ummm what "education" are you talking about....thinking these schools care about their basketball and football athletes, where the majority are minorities, is absolutely delusional.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... am-classes

http://www.businessinsider.com/lawsuit- ... ses-2015-1

You want more examples? Syracuse was in the news today for having other people do their players class work. The "free education argument" died years ago, get with the times.

There are some schools bending the rules and paying the price for it. Just like in any part of society. The point is if these guys wanted to stay all four-years to obtain a degree, they'd have it paid for by the college.

For baseball, they rarely offer full-ride scholarships. And that's for kids who choose school over the draft.

[Zenith]

There are some schools bending the rules and paying the price for it. Just like in any part of society. The point is if these guys wanted to stay all four-years to obtain a degree, they'd have it paid for by the college.

For baseball, they rarely offer full-ride scholarships. And that's for kids who choose school over the draft.

What good is a 4 year degree when the school isn't teaching them anything? Do you not understand what UNC did? And to think its only a few schools and not the vast majority is simply naive.....but but but Jim Boeheim got suspended 9 games, had to forfeit wins, and can't make the post season in a year he wouldn't have made it anyways....oh ya that's justice.

[TyCobb]

There are some schools bending the rules and paying the price for it. Just like in any part of society. The point is if these guys wanted to stay all four-years to obtain a degree, they'd have it paid for by the college.

For baseball, they rarely offer full-ride scholarships. And that's for kids who choose school over the draft.

What good is a 4 year degree when the school isn't teaching them anything? Do you not understand what UNC did? And to think its only a few schools and not the vast majority is simply naive.....but but but Jim Boeheim got suspended 9 games, had to forfeit wins, and can't make the post season in a year he wouldn't have made it anyways....oh ya that's justice.

How many kids would get accepted to colleges without the help of sports? Colleges give players exposure. They give them the opportunity to develop their mind, if they desire, and their 'brand'. If student-athletes can't see that, then they should probably spend more time reading books. I understand that some of these guys want to help their families out because they're struggling financially, but you have to pay your dues no matter what profession you're trying to pursue.

The real problem with the NCAA is that they admit people who should be spending multiple years at a Junior College first, but that's a whole other topic.

[brownsmith89]

why are people acting like college is some sort of magical cure? being away from your parents, joining a fraternity, getting drunk, and having sex with groupies are not the answer that will suddenly stop athletes from going bankrupt.

antoine walker won an ncaa championship with the wild cats. he played in college for 2 years and still went bankrupt.

jason caffey played all 4 years at the university of alabama. he went on to have many baby mamas and then went bankrupt. how did college help him?

look how well kobe bryant, garnett, and lebron james have done straight out of high school. the real problem is the rap culture of "bling" which encourages spending and having an entourage.

[Zenith]

How many kids would get accepted to colleges without the help of sports? Colleges give players exposure. They give them the opportunity to develop their mind, if they desire, and their 'brand'. If student-athletes can't see that, then they should probably spend more time reading books. I understand that some of these guys want to help their families out because they're struggling financially, but you have to pay your dues no matter what profession you're trying to pursue.

The real problem with the NCAA is that they admit people who should be spending multiple years at a Junior College first, but that's a whole other topic.

How many poor people would get accepted to college without academic scholarships? College's (in general) are supposed to give all people a chance to grow and expand their mind and individuality, attempting to diminish athletic scholarships because the players have a greater chance at high financial earnings is ignorant and shows one trait, jealously. The fact is the problem with the NCAA is that they generate millions of dollars by branding sports as amateur, when they are anything but that, they are corporate entities and are being unjustly exploited.

[TyCobb]

How many kids would get accepted to colleges without the help of sports? Colleges give players exposure. They give them the opportunity to develop their mind, if they desire, and their 'brand'. If student-athletes can't see that, then they should probably spend more time reading books. I understand that some of these guys want to help their families out because they're struggling financially, but you have to pay your dues no matter what profession you're trying to pursue.

The real problem with the NCAA is that they admit people who should be spending multiple years at a Junior College first, but that's a whole other topic.

How many poor people would get accepted to college without academic scholarships? College's (in general) are supposed to give all people a chance to grow and expand their mind and individuality

If they score high enough on tests and have a good GPA. There are also many grants available. Colleges are first and foremost a place for higher learning.

[Blame Rasho]

I am of the opinion that the NBA can do whatever they want as they are a private enterprise. They want a better product on the floor and I and many others hold the belief having individuals who can contribute day 1 instead of year 3 makes the NBA as a whole better.

Nonetheless, I also hold the belief that if you are 18, you should be able to do whatever you want in terms of your employment and if you want to play basketball for a living, they can do so if they can find a team and league that wants to pay for their playing services.

Age limits is about self preservation in the NBA, and having less 18 year olds mean having perhaps older another fringe players or vets get a chance to stay on the roster and find a niche.

[Fresh360Waves]

Of course you will get the standard ignorant white guy response that it has nothing to do with race. When you're white, it's a lot easier to not see race. But this is clearly a racist policy- one that disproportionately affects black athletes and lines the NCAA's pockets.

Yeah, who wants a free education?

A lot of that education is bull at most schools.

This. We've already heard about what UNC has done w/ grades.

[Fresh360Waves]

Why wasn't football mentioned?

Oh, I know why, cause there are black, white, Hispanic players, and an age limit. Gotta fit that racist narrative though

Just because the topic is something that makes you uncomfortable, doesn't make it racist... SMH. A lot of people these days have no clue what racism means.

[Blame Rasho]

This is an aside, but it is amazing how many people marginalize a college education esp if one gets it paid for your athletic abilities.

[Westbreezy]

Of course you will get the standard ignorant white guy response that it has nothing to do with race. When you're white, it's a lot easier to not see race. But this is clearly a racist policy- one that disproportionately affects black athletes and lines the NCAA's pockets.

Yeah, who wants a free education?

To be fair, a year of the rookie scale contract in the NBA gets a player anywhere between $911,000 and $4.6 Million for first round picks. That salary is much, much more valuable than that $20k-50k year of college. Its not like these players can't go back to college after their playing careers with that extra money

[Speedlot]

Lets be real. College is worthless for these kids.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using RealGM Forums mobile app

[Fresh360Waves]

Of course you will get the standard ignorant white guy response that it has nothing to do with race. When you're white, it's a lot easier to not see race. But this is clearly a racist policy- one that disproportionately affects black athletes and lines the NCAA's pockets.