Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - J O'neal's comments on the impending NBA age limit

Bookman · 04-13-2005, 12:26 PM

JO was asked a ? about if he felt that the proposed age limit is racially based?
He said he had feelings that it is but the media carried the story like JO called a press conference to make this claim.

NEVERTHELESS..

Why change what has been precedented in the NBA? If the product is weak then it is up to the owners to improve the product.....right?
When the history of HS to NBA draft has only one player who was not black and with other sports which allows players to earn @ young ages why has the NBA/America decided to try to close this door?

I wont call it racist but it seems as though people are trying to make decisions for young black athletes where it does not concern themself. If they want to be so benevolent go help the millions of underprivileged black youth in the Nation.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2035132

Stern wants NBA age limit raised to 20ESPN.com news services

Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal said he thinks racism might have something to do with the NBA's desire to put an age limit in the next collective bargaining agreement.

"In the last two or three years, the rookie of the year has been a high school player. There were seven high school players in the All-Star Game, so why we even talking an age limit?" O'Neal said.

The past two rookies of the year were drafted out of high school: The Cavaliers' LeBron James was the 2003-04 rookie of the year, while the Suns' Amare Stoudemire won the award after the 2002-03 season.

Players currently have to be at least 18 to be drafted, but NBA commissioner David Stern would like to see the age raised to 20.

"We are seeking to raise that to 20 or two years out of high school. The NFL's minimum age is 3 years after high school. I'm optimistic the union will agree to some raise in the minimum age in the current collective bargaining," Stern said in a recent ESPN.com chat.

The NBA's seven-year labor agreement expires after the season. The union originally opposed raising the current age limit of 18, but has begun to waver.

O'Neal doesn't agree with Stern's agenda, however.

"As a black guy, you kind of think [race is] the reason why it's coming up.

"You don't hear about it in baseball or hockey. To say you have to be 20, 21 to get in the league, it's unconstitutional. If I can go to the U.S. Army and fight the war at 18 why can't you play basketball for 48 minutes?" O'Neal said.

If the NBA had the age limit Stern is proposing in 1996, O'Neal would have had to postpone the start of his NBA career.

O'Neal went to the NBA straight out of high school in 1996 and was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers, who made him the 17th overall selection.

O'Neal didn't blossom into the star he is today until he was dealt to the Pacers during the 2000 offseason. He has made the past three Eastern Conference All-Star teams.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

04-13-2005, 12:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bookman Insane	J O'neal's comments on the impending NBA age limit JO was asked a ? about if he felt that the proposed age limit is racially based? He said he had feelings that it is but the media carried the story like JO called a press conference to make this claim. NEVERTHELESS.. Why change what has been precedented in the NBA? If the product is weak then it is up to the owners to improve the product.....right? When the history of HS to NBA draft has only one player who was not black and with other sports which allows players to earn @ young ages why has the NBA/America decided to try to close this door? I wont call it racist but it seems as though people are trying to make decisions for young black athletes where it does not concern themself. If they want to be so benevolent go help the millions of underprivileged black youth in the Nation. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2035132 Stern wants NBA age limit raised to 20ESPN.com news services Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal said he thinks racism might have something to do with the NBA's desire to put an age limit in the next collective bargaining agreement. "In the last two or three years, the rookie of the year has been a high school player. There were seven high school players in the All-Star Game, so why we even talking an age limit?" O'Neal said. The past two rookies of the year were drafted out of high school: The Cavaliers' LeBron James was the 2003-04 rookie of the year, while the Suns' Amare Stoudemire won the award after the 2002-03 season. Players currently have to be at least 18 to be drafted, but NBA commissioner David Stern would like to see the age raised to 20. "We are seeking to raise that to 20 or two years out of high school. The NFL's minimum age is 3 years after high school. I'm optimistic the union will agree to some raise in the minimum age in the current collective bargaining," Stern said in a recent ESPN.com chat. The NBA's seven-year labor agreement expires after the season. The union originally opposed raising the current age limit of 18, but has begun to waver. O'Neal doesn't agree with Stern's agenda, however. "As a black guy, you kind of think [race is] the reason why it's coming up. "You don't hear about it in baseball or hockey. To say you have to be 20, 21 to get in the league, it's unconstitutional. If I can go to the U.S. Army and fight the war at 18 why can't you play basketball for 48 minutes?" O'Neal said. If the NBA had the age limit Stern is proposing in 1996, O'Neal would have had to postpone the start of his NBA career. O'Neal went to the NBA straight out of high school in 1996 and was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers, who made him the 17th overall selection. O'Neal didn't blossom into the star he is today until he was dealt to the Pacers during the 2000 offseason. He has made the past three Eastern Conference All-Star teams. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.