Is
there any conceivable way to solve the tanking epidemic in the NBA? Many have
thrown out proposals ranging from a 14-team, winner-take-all playoff system, to
betting on “future success” of franchises. All of these proposals offer
significant upgrades to the obsolete, ping-pong ball style system that is the
NBA Draft Lottery, but are still riddled with potential pitfalls. I say this
not because I feel these concepts can’t work, but because teams will eventually
figure out ways to beat the system (I’m looking at you, Philadelphia 76ers).
That being said, let me offer my not-so-perfect, perfectly-flawed proposal to
prevent tanking in the NBA, as well as possibly improve player development.
Implement MLB style draft
Let’s
allow high school prospects to declare themselves eligible for the NBA Draft,
but with a twist. Advocates of the prep-to-pro argument will have no problem
throwing out names like Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, LeBron
James, and Dwight Howard, while those in opposition will be quick to cite the
disappointing careers of Darius Miles, Kwame Brown, DeSagana Diop, Robert
Swift, and Martell Webster. As risky as this concept may be, the NBA, like all
professional sports is based on two things; age and potential. Here’s my
simplistic approach.
*Players chosen out
of high school may decline to sign with the team that drafted them, on the
condition they enroll in a college/university for a minimum of two years before
re-declaring in a future draft. *
Why
it will work:
·
Ready-made
players, such as those mentioned above, will be able to develop their game
against top-tier talent in the NBA without wasting critical time/years spent at
college with coaching staffs who seem overwhelmed and unfit to handle
high-caliber players (such LSU’s Ben Simmons, who looked bored and uninterested,
while receiving little to no direction from coach Johnny Jones).
·
Knowing
drafted players may decline to sign with their prospective team’s will force GM’s
and franchises who are “habitual tankers” to try to consistently improve,
rather than packing it in after they’ve officially been eliminated from playoff
contention. Franchises who are unable to sign their first-round picks will be
awarded compensatory picks in future drafts (released during the offseason, as
to further prevent in-season tanking). -injuries,
trades, free-agent signings/losses, and record will determine the overall value
of the pick-
·
NBA
Commissioner Adam Silver has stated publicly he’s in support of raising the age
restriction from 19 to 20, so this helps further his plan to “extend
development” and lessen the likelihood of draft-day busts.
·
Two
years in college will allow NBA scouts more time to evaluate prospects and
determine growth and potential.
·
Prep
stars who are less polished out of high school (such as Gerald Green, Sebastian
Telfair, and Dorell Wright) have the ability to hone their craft and in turn
have a higher likelihood of making an instant impact on an NBA roster, instead
of being career journeymen, D-Leaguer’s, or out of the league after a few
years.
·
The
NCAA will LOVE this because it’ll allow them to corral talented players for an
extra year, and that means one thing….$$$$$$
Why
it won’t work:
·
Possibility
of immature prospects getting an instant “diva” complex by thinking they are
too good to play for certain franchises, thus potentially making them uncoachable.
·
As
always, risk of injury during college playing career while being considered a
high draft choice.
·
Potential
to hinder progress of young franchises that have taken risks in free-agency,
trade market, and player retention (look at the New Orleans Pelicans in the
last few seasons).
·
If
the NCAA is on board with policy changes that affect the NBA, that alone should
be reason to pause.
Will this solve issues with the NBA Draft, its lottery system, and tanking in general? Probably not, but who
knows where the evolution of the NBA and its changes will take the game;
four-point shots, elimination of the Hack-a-Shaq/Howard/Jordan/Drummond, or a
plethora of high-tech cameras that replace the human element of officiating? Who
knows what we’ll see in the future, but it’s amusing to think about.
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