Monday, June 15, 2009

Questionable Decesion Making?

Yeah if you know anything about me you would expect my latest blog posting to be about the newly crowned world champs (will blog about soon though) but instead I wanna discuss the some hot button issues in the world of sports. The names Jeremy Tyler and Bryce Harper will be heavily scrutinized over their controversial decision's. Tyler has decided at the age of 17 to skip his senior year of high school and go to Europe to play for two years and enter the 2011 NBA draft. Harper is a 16 year old high school baseball phenom, will get his G.E.D. and go to junior college in an effort to be eligible for the 2010 draft. In Harper's story is also intriguing due to his appearance as the cover boy on the June issue of Sport Illustrated with the words: Baseballs Chosen One, at the grand old age of 16.That's a lot of pressure on the young man and I know his family sees $$$$$$$$$$$sings. Followed by the decision to try and get in the draft next year and fast track it makes you wonder. Where is the next step to go for young outstanding athletes to go. In my opinion at that young of an age your parents permission is needed for most things so I believe the parents are seeing there meal ticket and cashing it in. Instead of waiting they want it now!!!!As for as Tyler I haven't seen any information about whet er he will or wont get his GED but its a gamble. I personally think neglecting education is wrong. As an African American and the perceptions that our race has been labeled with as far as being dumb and only good as athletes and entertainers its bad that he is not even getting his high school diploma. I think he owes it to his self as well as his family and his race to get at least his high school diploma.Second I believe playing overseas is pro ball but its still not the level of ball played in the states. In college with few players going the European pro ball route, a lot of the talented players that would have gone pro out of high school are in the NCAA and you have good coaches at the elite programs these top flight blue chippers will be going to. If you think I'm wrong about those European Leagues think about how the big stars in those leagues come over here and don't have the immediate impact of a Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, O.J. Mayo, just to name a few. (Don't hesitate to think about some Euro players coming from their league and dominating in this league, feel free to tell me any) The players don't have the strength are the quickness you will see in the NBA so to me its about the money, not getting better as Tyler complained he wasn't doing in high school. If he would have spent a year at Louisville playing that Big East schedule, he would have got better.... Quick. But as far as Harper could it be another example of a baseball prospect getting high singing bonus money, getting moved up to fast in the minors, and never meeting high expectations?? Are will he be moved up to fast or be a solid MLB player but never be "The Chosen One" as proclaimed by SI. Time will only tell. And whats the next step for young athletic prodigies and their parents pursuit of the Almighty $ is is the topic for another day!

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