Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
And I guess that's kind of the point: Imagine how good Howard will be once he actually learns how to play basketball.
Now, folks like my friend Mike DeCourcy would have you believe that Howard would have been better off with a few years of college coaching. Here is what's clear: The college would have been better off. The college coach would have been better off. College basketball would have been better off.
But would Howard be a better pro player for the experience? No way. In his 5th pro season, Howard was 1st-team All-NBA, Defensive Player of the Year and -- of course -- led his team to the NBA Finals.
If Howard had gone to college, he would have just completed his rookie NBA season. There is no way he would have been nearly as good as he is now, after five years of being exposed to pro basketball. He got better, faster, with greater long-term upside. (And let's not even get into the financial reward.)
The reason is simple: College hoops coaching is not about getting the player ready for the NBA; college hoops coaching is about getting the coach his next big contract. Or the school their next big donation.
If a high school or college player wants to best prepare themselves for the NBA, they are better off being tutored by pro coaches, whose entire job is based around making those players successful in the NBA. (Psst: It's called the "D-League.")
That's why I am so intrigued by the announcement this week of "iHoops," the initiative between the NBA and NCAA to reform (or reinvent) the player-development pipeline in basketball. It is a terrific, long-needed idea that will make both the pro AND college games bet
If you want to play college basketball, go play for a college coach. If you want to play pro basketball, go pro.
MLB Talking Points
• Sox beat Yanks (again): This is why they paid CC.
• Utley is pretty good: 2 HR in W. (Anyone want to accuse him of juicing?)
• AL's Best Pitcher: Hmm: Justin Verlander?
• NL's Hottest: Rox win 7th straight.
• Manny Show a no-no: Not with media around, at least.
• Fantasy Stud: Gil Meche (7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 11 K).
Raul Ibanez is still angry: "I'll come after people who defame or slander me." And yet the blogger's response to the mini-scandal was mostly reasonable -- certainly as reasonable as Rick Reilly's rationale when he demanded Sammy Sosa pee in a cup in front of him, right then and there -- an implicit accusation that Sosa was cheating. Surprise: Skepticism -- even cynicism -- isn't exclusive to traditional media.
(But I will say this: If folks are willing to give this much attention to mere idle speculation, expect plenty of attention-hungry folks in the media -- bloggers and mainstream alike -- to try to gain their own 5 minutes of fame by throwing out speculation.)
NFL: Mark Sanchez signs with the Jets, including a $28M signing bonus. Presumably, he wanted to get a deal fast so he could get on the front end of the endorsement deals that are sure to flow his way being the marquee star in the biggest market in the country.
Favre Watch: Zzz.
Vick Watch: Jim Mora thinks Mike Vick definitely deserves another chance in the NFL ... um, just not with Mora's Seahawks. Where Vick may play is becoming the NFL equivalent of where to relocate Guantanamo Bay detainees, at least as far as coaches are concerned: Not in my backyard.
NBA Draft: Stephen Curry likes the Knicks a lot. Too bad he won't be available when the Knicks pick at No. 8. So if NY wants him -- and he's not just a sick shooter but a F.O.L. (Friend of LeBron) -- they will have to convince a team like the Wizards to swap spots with them.
MLB Draft: Jake Locker has been called the next Tim Tebow. Maybe he is the next Drew Henson -- he was drafted yesterday by Angels. Would the Washington QB ultimately give up his pro football potential to play baseball? Good thing UW has lined up a "name" replacement. ...
CFB Recruiting: Joe Montana's son, Nick -- yes, a QB -- commits to the University of Washington. Which is good, because UW could use all the cachet it can get.
Economy: We have quickly gone from the opportunity for big brands to have exposure on NFL (practice) jerseys -- for a big price -- and "alternative" sponsors rushing the gate, looking to pay to get a piece of the action.
Sports Books: Why was Selena Roberts' A-Rod book a flop, selling only 16,000 copies out of 150,000 printed? Couple of theories:
(1) Timing: Book's shocking new info scooped a month in advance.
(2) Subject: Fans don't love to hate A-Rod; they don't care about him.
(3) Misogyny: Roberts' media tour went negative on her, quickly.
International Soccer: Transfermania! Man U gets a record $131-million transfer fee from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo. (All so Ronaldo can lose to Barca again?)
The Last Word: "Right now, he's kind of predictable." -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Dwight Howard. I guess that's kind of the point: Imagine how good Howard will be once he actually learns how to play basketball.
Dan Shanoff writes The Wake-Up Call every weekday morning for SportingNews.com and blogs daily at DanShanoff.com. Got any comments, questions or feedback? Email Dan at shanofftsn-[at]-gmail-[dot]-com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/danshanoff.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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Claiming that misogny played a major role in the failure of her media tour and ultimately her book sales, seems overwhelmingly accusatory. The assumption that any other author, regardless of gender, would have had more success with the subject matter stretches the reach of correlation, let alone causation, for one. Further, the fact that she was made to invoke the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case multiple times, along with her own willingness to talk about that case, further tarnishes her record, due to her significant oversight in the reporting of the case. KC Johnson at Durham-In-Wonderland, does an excellent job reporting on how she handled the tour in this post: http://durhamwonderland.blogspot.com/2009/06/selena-roberts-national-mendacity-tour.html
by akeppler on Jun 11, 2009 9:47 AM EDT reply actions
http://durhamwonderland.blogspot.com/2009/06/selena-roberts-national-mendacity-tour.html
messed the link up, here is the real one.
by akeppler on Jun 11, 2009 9:48 AM EDT reply actions
1) Long term upside of prep to pros has to come into question. These players are breaking down at an earlier age than their peers 20 years ago. CWebb, Amare, KG all have broken down at an earlier age than would be expected. Kobe is right around the corner. Games age players faster than calendar years.
2) You assume D12 would have stayed 4 years. Would his offensive game have benefited from 1 year in college? Impossible to say, but I think its tough to say that Melo’s game didn’t improve.
3) Elton Brand is is one of this generation’s post players who clearly maximized their talent by possessing an array of polished moves. Didn’t Coach K help those at least a little? (And this is coming from an absolute Duke Hater)
by brdavids on Jun 11, 2009 10:02 AM EDT reply actions
In reply to brdavids,Did Greg Oden’s offensive game improve with college? Dwight Howard was big and strong enough that he still wouldn’t need to work on post moves in college to get over, and I have a tough time imagining that a college coach would try to change Howard too terribly much.
by fivefouls1987 on Jun 11, 2009 10:10 AM EDT reply actions
I think Greg Oden’s health is the bigger issue. Maybe all the injuries he sustained in college ended up ruining his pro career. Maybe skipping college would have given him a better shot at being successful in the NBA, but hey everybody has 20-20 hindsight. In reality I find it hard to think that playing college basketball could ever negatively effect someone in their pursuit to be a great NBA player (other than injury prone Greg Oden of course). However, the learning curve in the NBA is obviously much faster, just look at the mere physical difference of Dwight Howard from high school to his rookie season in the NBA. I doubt he would have that kind of diligence or guidance from a college trainer.
by McGuff50 on Jun 11, 2009 11:47 AM EDT reply actions
NBA coaches will not waste time and wins giving players who shouldn’t be on the court playing time. Your arguement is so ignorant of that fact its disgusting. College players get coached much more than NBA players.
by alowry01 on Jun 11, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions
Ask Tim duncan, Hakeem, the Admiral, Ewing, Zo, Mutumbo, Kareem, Wilt, and Shaq if they think college was a waste. At least most of those players came into the league with an offensive leg to stand on. i am a magic fan but i think DH could have use 2 to 3yrs of college ball to hon is offensive skils. They all had long careers in the NBA even after going to college. I think we’ll see more and more of these kids that skip college break down sooner rather then later. Due to the fact that at 18-19 their bodies are not done developing and the toll of an 81 game schedule is much more abusive then a college schedule of 30games which are mostly regional. plus they also gain maturity and life experience while in college. Dont get me wrong i understand why they do it, but it doesnt mean its the best for them or the NBA in the long run. Some day executives will understand that they are diluting the NBA by drafting these kids. I would say 95% of them are just great atheletes and the other 5% have actual skills (lebron and KG) but for the most part they needed to go to college to learn how to play the game and learn its skills.
by Tampa Bay TT Twisters on Jun 11, 2009 2:18 PM EDT reply actions
Hubie Brown should be knighted for calling the NCAA "that boola-boola bullsh*t."
by L'etat, c'est moi on Jun 11, 2009 11:12 PM EDT reply actions
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