[JRutledge]

I personally do not have a problem with the age limit. I would like the age limit to be older, like the age of 21.

I think that the issue having to deal with race is a valid one. I do not think race played a role in the reasons the NBA and the Player's Union made this decision, I think it is the reaction to young African-Americans making millions from the media and public has racial overtones.

There is a baseball player in our area that recently got drafted by the Boston Red Sox. This pitcher's team was in the State Finals this season and lost their first game. I did not hear anyone complaining that this kid would skip college (he had a scholarship to Arizona State waiting for him) and go right to the pros. But when it comes to these inner-city kids, many seem to have a big problem if the players want to consider the jump from high school to the pros. When it is the rich and affluent white kids, they can play tennis and baseball and no one blinks and eye to the maturity level and going pro. The young Russian female tennis player that won Wimbledon last year was 17 or 18 when she won the tournament. No one is talking about her maturity and how she can handle her millions.

I do think the new NBA age limit is appropriate because I think the structure of a team sport it is in the best interest of players to get some experience at the college level. One of the differences with the NBA and other sports is there is no farm system to groom these players to the top. If you do not get drafted in the first round, you have no guarantee to make the team. There have been players that have been picked number one in the second round of the NBA draft and did not make the NBA roster the following year. At least baseball players can go into the draft and not throw away there elgiblity. Unfortunately the NBA and NFL do not allow for you to return after you have been in a draft out of high school. Only college players can go into the NBA draft and come back (I am not sure of all the rules the NCAA has to this issue) if their draft status is not perfect.

I also understand completely the feeling of O'Neal and others that comment on these issues when they have experienced it. Not everyone is going to agree or has the same point of view.

Peace