Dawning of a new NBA

By Jeff Lund

The Arizona Summer Wildcat

It is good to know that while I suffer through classes, finals, papers and discussion sessions, some kid younger than me will be drafted into the NBA tomorrow, soon to be driving cars worth more than my crappy apartment.

They're being told that their talent will soon lead them to stardom, riches, and a spot in the next 311 video. Even better, all NBA teams will provide them with free razors for their peach-fuzz goatees.

Personally, I think I should be drafted too. Other than the fact that I have a severe lack of hops and, well·talent, I have plenty to offer. It's too bad that my one dunk was not caught on film, because it seems scouts now are just looking at ability and potential instead of results and consistency. And the doctor told me last week that I could grow a couple of more inches - which is the same thing Tyson Chandler's pediatrician told him last week.

Before the early '90s, jumping to the pro ranks before graduating from college was as common as Wilt Chamberlain sleeping alone during his playing days. If this were 1991, Shane Battier would be a top-three pick, and Kwame Brown would be deciding between Duke, UNLV and UCLA. Unfortunately, this is 2001.

Battier is a coachable, talented, intelligent player and does all the things necessary to make his team better, and usually win - just ask any UA fan about his two tip-ins late in the National Championship game. In fact, once you get past the fact that the top of his head looks like his frickin' brain, he's actually pretty photogenic too. And I don't think that scalp could hold cornrows, so at least he'll be different from every other guy getting drafted tonight.

ESPN has been evaluating the draft for months. One of the things listed under "Plusses" for Battier is that he would "bring less locker room issues." Oh Lordy - well, it's actually not that surprising that a lack of issues is considered a benefit in a day and age where most NBA players are more concerned with their next rap album than their game that night.

Now I hear Andy Katz of ESPN.com telling me that Battier may be too old? Since when did being 22 years old make you eligible for an AARP card in the NBA? How in the hell are you going to tell me that college (as opposed to high school) graduates like Battier and Loren Woods are past their prime? What ever happened to leadership, work ethic, hustle, loyalty and experience?

This "youth movement" is paving the way for a new social standard for athletes - changing the formerly desirable trait of a classy superstar into the insolent brat. There used to be a time when a player had to earn their stripes in the league - you know, carry the veteran's bags, get the crappy seat on the team plane, and do stupid things when the guys go out to the bar. Now, most of the kids being drafted not only won't be able to go to a bar their rookie year, but will be on their second contract before their first legal trip to Las Vegas.

Look, I hate to sound like a redass here, but I can't help but feel jilted. Not only will these kids who are much younger be making more money than I can conceptualize without a graphing calculator, but soon enough the NBA, the game I love to watch, will have players younger than Lil' Bow Wow.

So I'll continue to do my homework every night, or at least most nights. I'll continue to study hard and try not to sleep through classes. More importantly, I'll not only root for Shane Battier when he inevitably has success in the NBA, but wait for the next Battier or the next Woods to appear. I have a feeling that no matter how much momentum the trend of youngsters leaving high school early will gain, there will always be a couple of guys willing to toil in relative poverty for four years with the goal of winning a National Championship - or even just to get to play under a Lute Olson or Coach K.