This is my comment regarding the New York Times' highlighting Brandon Jennings' move to Europe in its Year of Ideas 2008:
I do not think that Brandon Jennings leaping to play in Europe was a brilliant idea and should have been highlighted here in this Year in Ideas 2008. It is a shortcut and there are no shortcuts to success! This is encouraging high school students to devalue education. Many college basketball players major in business and communication to be able to properly manage their income and images. Brandon will not have this opportunity. Furthermore, there will be a difference in medical care. The United States has the premier medical institutions which are far superior to its European counterparts. Moreover, it is required that all American medical staff speak English. The European Union has three official languages: English, French and German. There is no guarantee that Brandon can effectively communicate with the medical staff when injured. This language gap can lead the premature end of his basketball career and all follow him all of the days of his life. Professionally, the NBA does not have to accept Mr. Jennings’ European tenure because its rule stipulates that he must have one year’s worth of college. Brandon could have gone to any Division I college then to the developmental league before ascending to the NBA ranks. Finally, the most damaging part of this story is that Brandon is surrounded by a bunch of spineless yes-men, including his parents, who do not enforce rules. The college rule is meant to keep players safe by cultivating their games. For every Kobe Bryant there are 20 Sebastian Telfairs who could not make the leap. For 2009 please reconsider including people who take shortcuts for a living on the New York Times list.
I do not think that Brandon Jennings leaping to play in Europe was a brilliant idea and should have been highlighted here in this Year in Ideas 2008. It is a shortcut and there are no shortcuts to success! This is encouraging high school students to devalue education. Many college basketball players major in business and communication to be able to properly manage their income and images. Brandon will not have this opportunity. Furthermore, there will be a difference in medical care. The United States has the premier medical institutions which are far superior to its European counterparts. Moreover, it is required that all American medical staff speak English. The European Union has three official languages: English, French and German. There is no guarantee that Brandon can effectively communicate with the medical staff when injured. This language gap can lead the premature end of his basketball career and all follow him all of the days of his life. Professionally, the NBA does not have to accept Mr. Jennings’ European tenure because its rule stipulates that he must have one year’s worth of college. Brandon could have gone to any Division I college then to the developmental league before ascending to the NBA ranks. Finally, the most damaging part of this story is that Brandon is surrounded by a bunch of spineless yes-men, including his parents, who do not enforce rules. The college rule is meant to keep players safe by cultivating their games. For every Kobe Bryant there are 20 Sebastian Telfairs who could not make the leap. For 2009 please reconsider including people who take shortcuts for a living on the New York Times list.
No comments:
Post a Comment