Blake Griffin's advice to college stars: Don't rush

Post #1 » by **mkwest** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:20 pm

"I felt like staying another year was the right move for me," Griffin told me on SiriusXM's Inside College Basketball. "It was one of the best decisions I ever made. It enabled me to mature and get better as a basketball player. If I came out after my freshman season, it would have been a different story."

Griffin would have been a lottery pick if he had come out after his freshman season at Oklahoma, one in which he averaged 14.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. However, he dominated as a sophomore, made progress on and off the court and became the No. 1 overall pick in 2009.

"Everyone's in kids' ears for a payday," Griffin said. "The chance to get paid and take care of your family. … But it's about being ready, not necessarily about taking that big payday right away, but giving it time. You might drop a few spots, but you might end up with a team that's a better fit -- and end up making more money in the long run."

"It's great," Griffin said of a scholarship. "It's exactly what kids need, but at the same time I think they can stand to make a little more. It doesn't mean you have to give them tons of money, but these guys generate a lot of money for the football, basketball teams or whatever sport. To play sports in college is a full-time commitment, like having a job, and I think it's fair to give them compensation. Maybe a little money each month for food makes sense. However, at the same time, getting a scholarship paid for is a pretty good perk in itself."

Jeff Goodman, CBS Sports

Neddy · Post #2 » by **Neddy** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:25 am

well griffin stayed for another year because he knew he was gonna get picked much higher, a probable #1 pick.
there are kids who should stay for another season, and there are kids who should graduate before they come out, but many kids come out early because they were never gonna get passed the first year in college due to academic issues. i'm sure the UK 5 that got drafted all in 1st round had no chance in hell to stay academic eligible. bledsoe came out right on time.

Post #3 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 3:23 am

Neddy wrote:well griffin stayed for another year because he knew he was gonna get picked much higher, a probable #1 pick.
there are kids who should stay for another season, and there are kids who should graduate before they come out, but many kids come out early because they were never gonna get passed the first year in college due to academic issues. i'm sure the UK 5 that got drafted all in 1st round had no chance in hell to stay academic eligible. bledsoe came out right on time.

That's a good point Neddy. I'm sure the majority of these kids don't care about their classes or education. I wish the NBA would let kids come to the league out of HS again. I feel like if a kid decides to go to college they should stay for 2 years.

I honestly think it's best for the kids to stay in college as long as they can. It's too bad that many of them don't care about their education. I'm getting tired of this "one and done" thing.

azncorruptedo17 · Post #4 » by **azncorruptedo17** » Fri Mar 1, 2013 4:06 pm

thanumba2clippersfan wrote:
Neddy wrote:well griffin stayed for another year because he knew he was gonna get picked much higher, a probable #1 pick.
there are kids who should stay for another season, and there are kids who should graduate before they come out, but many kids come out early because they were never gonna get passed the first year in college due to academic issues. i'm sure the UK 5 that got drafted all in 1st round had no chance in hell to stay academic eligible. bledsoe came out right on time.

That's a good point Neddy. I'm sure the majority of these kids don't care about their classes or education. I wish the NBA would let kids come to the league out of HS again. I feel like if a kid decides to go to college they should stay for 2 years.

I honestly think it's best for the kids to stay in college as long as they can. It's too bad that many of them don't care about their education. I'm getting tired of this "one and done" thing.

In my opinion, they should do the NFL rule and do 3 years. We have too many stupid kids in America already, we don't need them to make a lot of money by putting a ball through a hoop if they can't even stay academically eligible.

Quake Griffin · Post #5 » by **Quake Griffin** » Fri Mar 1, 2013 4:59 pm

azncorruptedo17 wrote:In my opinion, they should do the NFL rule and do 3 years. We have too many stupid kids in America already, we don't need them to make a lot of money by putting a ball through a hoop if they can't even stay academically eligible.

so they should stay poor?....or maybe working to lower middle class?

this is america.
intelligence isn't a requirement for freedom...nor a reasonable expectation of not being interfered with by a governing body.

baseball rule works just fine.
and build protections for teams or something where the whole contract isn't guaranteed like football.

azncorruptedo17 · Post #6 » by **azncorruptedo17** » Fri Mar 1, 2013 8:55 pm

Quake Griffin wrote:
azncorruptedo17 wrote:In my opinion, they should do the NFL rule and do 3 years. We have too many stupid kids in America already, we don't need them to make a lot of money by putting a ball through a hoop if they can't even stay academically eligible.

so they should stay poor?....or maybe working to lower middle class?

this is america.
intelligence isn't a requirement for freedom...nor a reasonable expectation of not being interfered with by a governing body.

baseball rule works just fine.
and build protections for teams or something where the whole contract isn't guaranteed like football.

i prefer people to be intelligent rather than be paid massive amounts of money for making a ball in a hoop, that's all. take it as you will.

Quake Griffin · Post #7 » by **Quake Griffin** » Sun Mar 3, 2013 2:30 pm

i am.

and I'm asking.
so they should stay poor/ not quite rich?

Neddy · Post #8 » by **Neddy** » Sun Mar 3, 2013 9:36 pm

stupid people with lots of money makes our economy go around. more spending and going for broke = lots of cash in circulation = flowing economy.

if all consumers were intelligent, we would have a frugal society, which is great for individuals but terrible for what drives our nation's economy, which it's products are based on entertainment and desire ( products you don't need)

azncorruptedo17 · Post #9 » by **azncorruptedo17** » Mon Mar 4, 2013 3:13 am

i think i'm a pretty intelligent guy and make a good amount of money in my career.. i can tell you that i'm not frugal

burberry, lv and gucci ain't cheap, my friend.

Neddy · Post #10 » by **Neddy** » Mon Mar 4, 2013 5:01 am

i can honestly tell you, i can't relate. my money goes into my savings, kids' college fund, updating my office and my guitar collection. i am up to about 30. other than that, i don't spend money on anything... i'm sure my wife has a secret account tho. i have no clue where that money goes to.