[theboys]

I think where pro athletics and college athletics go wrong is in dealing with the player who is marginally gifted for pro sports. William Avery is a prime example. He left Duke after his freshman year for the lure of big bucks. He was drafted in the second round (no guaranteed contract), and, then, pretty much disappeared from the basketball radar. So, unless he saved his money wisely, returning to college has been made that much tougher. The NCAA should back off its rules a little, and not declare kids ineligible until they sign a contract. Maybe Avery would've changed his mind, and returned to school, after he discovered his worth in the NBA market.

In addition, David Stern has to worry about the league's image more when dealing with under-21 players. While LeBron James had no problems adjusting, Kwame Brown may never make it. What does an 18 year-old do after a game, when his teammates go to a bar? Hopefully, he doesn't hang out with Kobe.