The NBA is better than the NCAA
I am surprised that I actually have to defend this statement, but there are a few people out there who fail to understand this truth. Most of the college game proponents are quick to melodramatically mention the "purity" or "innocence" of the collegiate athletes because while they are in school they are not getting paid, and NBA players stop "trying" after they sign fat contracts.
Dumb.
How much does it cost to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign? Let's conservatively say it's reasonable to spend $60,000 on room and board for a 4-year degree. How much are scholarship athletes getting paid? About $60,000, at least. Next.
But they don't play defense in the NBA.
Shut up.
The playoff-bound Chicago Bulls were leading the league in opposing teams' points-per-game earlier this season by holding teams to scoring under 90. Currently, the team favored to win the NBA championship, the San Antonio Spurs, lead the league in this category with their mark of 86.9 ppg for opponents. Over 48 minutes of game time, that's 1.810416666667 points per minute allowed by the best defensive team in professional basketball. What would this equate to in a college game, played for 40 minutes?
40 x 1.810416666667 = 72.41666664 points.
Why is it that in Big Ten games the final score is frequently 37-26? The rest of the NCAA is not much better with scores often in the 50's and 60's. Is it because of the "hustle" in college ball? Because the college players "care"? Wrong. It is because these kids suck.
No, not really, the fact is the college-level athlete is as far from a professional-level athlete as the middle school team is from a high school team. Players in the NBA are men, not boys. They are quicker, stronger, smarter, and more experienced. It is much more difficult to stop a NBA baller from draining a shot than a "student-athlete" (I despise this phrase). The Spurs play excellent defense and still give up an average of 72 points per 40 minutes, while the defensive-minded Illini are averaging 61.1 ppg for opposing teams. If the Spurs played North Carolina,who are leading the NCAA at almost 90 ppg, the Tar Heels would score 7 points.
Consider the advent of zone defenses which were once illegal in the NBA. Any scrappy college team can space the floor on offense, play an hard-nosed zone, and have a good chance to win against many teams with more offensively talented individuals. But in the NBA? Are you kidding me? You couldn't get away with exclusively playing a zone even against the lackluster New Orleans Hornets. Any respectable NBA team will shred a zone like Enron documents. This is why the zone defense is employed in the NBA sparingly, to temporarily disrupt offensive sets.
To close, let's look at some former college greats and evaluate their NBA careers. These are players that dominated at the collegiate level.
Nick Collison, sitting next to Captain Kirk Hinrich, in what would turn out to be the highlight of Nick's bball career. Nick doesn't get a cool name. Here's why:
Averaged 14.8 points and 8.0 rebounds during four-year career at Kansas, including 18.5 points and 10.0 rebounds his senior season. Associated Press First-Team All-American his senior season. Big 12 Conference Player of the Year his senior season. Scored career-high 33 points to lead Jayhawks past Duke during 2003 NCAA Tournament. Jersey retired.
Great.
In the NBA, what is Nick up to?
Five points and 4 boards a game. Wow. How did that happen? Nick was so desperate, he grew this crappy beard to toughen up his image. It didn't work, so now they make him wear this plastic mask as a punishment for being irrelevant.
Remember Mateen Cleaves? Remember that annoying dance he did when the Spartans won the NCAA Championship? He passed Magic Johnson in assists at MSU. Also:
- Michigan State’s and Big Ten’s all-time assist leader (811), one of only 22 players in NCAA history to record 800 assists
- Michigan State’s all-time steals leader (193)
- Ranks 11th on the Big Ten career steals list
- Ranks 10th on the MSU career scoring list (1,512 points)
- Sixth place on the MSU all-time three-point field goal chart (140)
- 1999 Associated Press, NABC and USBWA first-team All-American
- 1999 USBWA District V Player of the Year
- 1999 Big Ten Coaches Player of the Year
- 1999 Big Ten Tournament MVP
- Set school and Big Ten single-season record with 274 assists in 1998-99
- 1998 USBWA first-team All-American
- 1998 Big Ten Coaches and Media Player of the Year
- 14 career double-doubles
- 72 double-figure scoring games, including 13 20-point performances
- 18 double-figure assist games
"Mateen Cleaves is our hardest worker. Some days I think he’s spending too much extra time in the gym. I told my staff that life is not going to be as good when he’s not around. I’ll figure out then if I can coach. There are just not many like him."Tom to the Izzo is right. There are not too many like him. That's why the guy that beat him out for the 12th spot on the Sonics, pictured below, is happy he made it while wondering why Mateen still wears all his MSU gear.
- MSU coach Tom Izzo
Illini fans may fondly recall Frank Williams. While at Illinois, Frank was a part of two straight Big Ten Championships and two straight Sweet 16 appearances for the Fighting Illini. The individual honors that were bestowed upon Frank during his career at Illinois were being named to the All Big Ten First Team for two straight seasons, and being named the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2001. He averaged 16 ppg his last year at Illinois.
He helped lead the Illini to a 27-8 record, get a share of the Big Ten regular season title, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a trip to the Elite Eight. Illinois' 27 wins WERE the second most in school history, and the Illini were ranked in the Top 10 for the entire season.
What is ol' Frank up to today? Going at Dan Dickau still, only now in the NBA?
I'm afraid not.
I don't have to explain to you what this means. It truly speaks for itself.
In conclusion, I eagerly await the Tournament with high hopes of Illini success. But let's not forget that what partly makes the Tournament exciting is that the best team doesn't not always advance, unlike in the NBA playoffs. The NCAA tournament is inherently erratic and unpredictable. It's explosive and uncontrollable. It's like throwing a whole thing of pop rocks in your mouth. A great time, indeed. But at the end of the day, you still need your dinner. Thankfully, Shaq faces Kobe again Thursday night. Did you see D. Wade's game winner? Nothing like the NBA.
11 comments:
Good post, oneway...and I agree with nearly everything you said in your post, but you barely skimmed the real reason people say that the NCAA is better than the NBA. Watching an NCAA game is more entertaining than watching an NBA game, not because of talent, but because of loyalty.
There's no doubt in my mind that the talent levels on the NBA are far superior to those of the NCAA, but fans don't necessarily go to a game to see the best talent. They go to support a team. A team that they have followed for years. A team that they cheered for while they were in school, and that they will continue to cheer for while their children are attending that school. This is mimiced in high school sports as well, people of the community are the biggest fan of the varsity sports teams and long for when their "boys" can bring home a W.
The NCAA produces loyalty, the NBA, produces highlight reals for Sportscenter. Both are entertaining to watch, but which one do you want to throw your support behind?
Professional sports overall still retain this loyalty. People are die-hard football fans, die-hard baseball fans (Just look at the Bears and Cubs fans, who follow a team despite pitiful results and constant disappointment). And there used to be die-hard NBA fans, in the era of Michal Jordan, Larry Bird, Stockton and Malone in the good years. But since then the NBA rivalries have lost their luster and are no longer against teams, but players. People look forward to the Heat and Lakers game because of Shaq and Kobe, not because of the rivalry between the teams.
It's easy for me and several other people to buy into a college team, to take ownership in that team and to cheer them on to a championship. But I have a hard time getting behind Kobe during his rape trial or Shaq during his latest CD or Movie venture.
Although Kazaam is a good flick if you get a chance to rent it.
Couple thoughts...
First of all, I will be willing to defend the position that the NBA is better than the NCAA. The quality of play alone is enough to make the case. As a fan of both, I would rather have my NBA team (Milwaukee Bucks) win the NBA championship than my NCAA team (Illinois, or even Wisconsin) with the NCAA championship. I attribute that mostly to the magnitude of the NBA playoffs--where you have to win best of seven series-- in comparison to the NCAA tournament--where you only play each team once and only have to win six games.
Secondly, I will delightfully admit that the best two days of the sports world are the first two days of the NCAA tournament, where 32 games are played and cinderellas begin to dance. If NCAA basketball didn't have the tourney, I probably wouldn't even follow college basketball. The madness of it all is exciting, but it alone does not make the NCAA better than the NBA.
Good to see bensheets here, the only other NBA fan in America.
Shablizz, thanks for digging the post. You raise an interesting point about loyalty. It makes no sense to me why people loved MJ and Magic and Bird, but now won't watch Duncan, Shaq, and KG.
>>the NBA rivalries have lost their luster and are no longer against teams, but players<<
You mentioned this after speaking of the Jordan era, not the Bulls era.
The fact is, players have always been at the center of the great rivalries. Michael vs. Isaiah along with the Bulls vs. the Pistons, both were dynamic stories that wove together in dramatic fashion. Bird vs. Magic along with Boston vs. LA. Chicago vs. NY. Jordan vs. Starks, Anthony, Harper, X-man... Michael/Reggie and Bulls/Pacers. You dig?
Today we have new rivalries taking root. Spurs and Suns. Pacers/Pistons. Heat/Rockets. Lakers and Kings.
Somewhere along the line, people stopped being loyal to their cities. I don't know why, but perhaps it is because they continue to idealize college teams. Why would someone stick with the Illini through the years and not the Bulls?
I suspect it is partly due to how urban culture has developed.
bensheets, I agree with you. The tourney dominates my mind right now. What's up with your guys from Milwaukee? Utah almost blew it. Krauser shined but lost. On and on. It's a great ride.
I gotta scope out Nevada and Texas tonight.
The NBA is better than the NCAA. I am surprised that I actually have to defend this statement, but there are a few people out there who fail to understand this truth.
Abe, I’d be careful with your use of the word “truth” when making statements like the above. To me, the word “truth” evokes thoughts of God, Scripture, and absolute truth, and the use of it in this context is pretty weak. Your “truth” is actually just your opinion, just like my opinion is that the NCAA is better than the NBA. Neither of us speaks the “truth” in asserting our opinions…I just calls ‘em as I see ‘em, as do you.
Why is it that in Big Ten games the final score is frequently 37-26?
I question your use of the word “frequently.” I’m not sure what alternate universe you watch NCAA basketball in, but I can’t remember the last time I saw a score that low. You’re talking about 63 points between two teams as being a frequent thing. Let’s look at the Illini this season: in regular season play, they averaged 78.7 points per game (15.7 points more than your purported “frequent” total for both teams in NCAA games)…teams opposing Illinois averaged 60.9 points in regular season play, so that’s 139.6 points on average between Illinois and their opponent…that’s over 2.2 times as many points as you claim “frequently” occur. The Illinois game this season with the lowest point total was 60 to 47 against Indiana, for a total of 107 points, which is way higher than 63 (obviously). Granted Illinois isn’t the standard as far as the NCAA goes, but in top 25 teams I highly doubt there are frequent totals of 63 points. If you want to make an honest comparison, you’d best compare the top 30 NCAA teams to the 30 NBA teams.
Phil made excellent points about loyalty to college basketball. I feel a bond to anyone who went to Illinois, basketball player or not. Illinois is MY school. Illinois is where I enjoyed season tickets for four years. Illinois is where I had classes among basketball players. Illinois is where I could stand by Foellinger and see Nick Smith on the opposite end of the quad by the Union. When I email Dee Brown saying that he played a good game, he emails me back to say thanks for the support, something that an NBA player would never do. I'm extremely loyal to anything I love, and I love the Illini.
I don’t expect to change your opinion, I know I won’t…but it’s food for thought anyway.
~Teresa
Teresa~ Dee Brown isn't all he's cracked up to be. I'm bitter.
I will disagree with Oneway here, mainly because philthy and bensheets agreed with him. you guys dont have to agree with oneway all the time. do republicans feel the same way about sports too?
ouch. burn!!!!
First off, Teresa, it seems you took this post way too seriously. I mean, look at the guy that Mateen Cleaves lost his spot on an NBA bench to. This guy will soon make his mark in the NBA.
Taking things out of context is a sure-fire way to have a frustrating life.
In response to your comments:
>>I’d be careful with your use of the word “truth” when making statements like the above. To me, the word “truth” evokes thoughts…<
Thanks for the warning. In the future, when you misunderstand hyperbole and wish to unnecessarily refute a truth claim, do not begin your position that truth is absolute with the relativistic opening “To me…” Also, what the word “evokes” is hardly of consequence in a discussion regarding the separation of truth and opinion.
>>Neither of us speaks the “truth” in asserting our opinions<<
Is this opinion true?
>>If you want to make an honest comparison, you’d best compare the top 30 NCAA teams to the 30 NBA teams.<<
This is wholesale foolishness. What is honest about comparing the best of the NCAA with the entire NBA?
>>I feel a bond to anyone who went to Illinois<<
I used to feel the same way about people who lived in Chicago.
Jeremiah,
Philthy didn’t agree with me. Did you read his comment? He also mentioned that Decatur high school sports rule. You should really read his comment before lumping him together with me and bensheets. He hates that because he hates us.
Thanks for the moveon.org comment. I love seeing all the Kerry Edwards stickers on cars. It’d be like me still hanging up my “Pauly Shore for Best Actor” poster. I gotta take that down…
Anyone else that feels the urge to make a political joke, refrain. Jeremiah and I are cool like that. I will delete any other comments with the mention of politics under this post.
Doesn't the rampant spiral of million dollar contracts, along with endorsements have something to do with the popularity difference. Isn't the NBA player less about basketball and more about the money? Although I am fully aware of the NCAA's problems with cheating. I just see more basketball emphasized in the NCAA. I guess just like it used to be more about basketball when the bulls, celtics, and lakers were in their prime. Another thing, I feel that comes into play is the egos that are involved in the NBA. I really don't see as many teams in the NBA as players. They just don't have the Jordans or the Birds or Magic. I love the team nature of NCAA basketball. I don't know am I crazy?? love the blog one way.
>>First off, Teresa, it seems you took this post way too seriously.
If this was a sports blog or something of the sort, I wouldn’t have said anything. But since you post Scripture one day and then turn around and talk about “truth” in basketball, I thought it was worth saying something. Just trying to give you the perspective of an outsider…say someone who comes to your blog but does not know you personally…
>>This is wholesale foolishness. What is honest about comparing the best of the NCAA with the entire NBA?
Because only the best of the NCAA make it to the NBA. The NCAA as a whole is watered down in talent compared to the NBA because there are so many teams. So for an apples to apples comparison when it comes to discussing basketball skills and talent, you should take the best of the NCAA compared to the NBA. That’s just my ever so foolish opinion though, and since I’m apparently incapable of understanding hyperbole, I guess you should take it with a grain of salt.
Teresa
at,
Thanks for coming through the blog. I hope to see another comment from you soon.
>>Isn't the NBA player less about basketball and more about the money?<<
This is also a frequent complaint. It is true that there are players that sign fat contracts and then underachieve due to laziness. (Shawn Kemp) But there are far more players that work extremely hard and take winning seriously.
>> I really don't see as many teams in the NBA as players. They just don't have the Jordans or the Birds or Magic.<<
This is the second time in this comments section that someone has pined for the Jordan/Bird/Magic era and also wished for more of a "team" game in the NBA.
One thing that is easier to relate to about NCAA basketball is it is closer to most of our experiences playing pick up ball, using team fundamentals to score and defend to make up for athleticism. Much of the NBA is played above the rim. But to win in the NBA, a team must fuse the heights of individual ability with an intelligent team concept, and that is beauty to watch.
>>Because only the best of the NCAA make it to the NBA.<<
That's right, plus the best of China, Europe, Mexico, as well as high schools. That's why the NBA is better than the NCAA.
Oneway, I'm one of those "outsiders" that the previous poster Teresa mentioned. I don't personally know anyone here, but I thought I'd share a little constructive criticism anyway. I get what she's saying about the language you use and how it comes off. In a 15 minute review of your blog I see that you've gone from weighty subjects like the creator of the world and the impending murder of Terri Schiavo to light-hearted topics like basketball. I found her comments to be valuable feedback, but perhaps that's not what you're looking for on your blog, which would explain why you were so nasty to her in your response. You insulted her intelligence with your condescending tone and hyperbole comment, and she is the only person you were nasty to in this thread, so what gives? Do you have a problem with strong women who assert themselves or something? My wife of 5 years has taught me to be better than that. Just an outsider's view though. Take what you will of it my friend.
Peace,
Mike
Mike,
I'm glad to get your feedback. I am definitely looking for valuable feedback from any readers. I am certainly not correct in everything I write and I strive to have the courage to admit when I am wrong. I have had to apologize plenty of times...
I wonder if in your 15 minute review you missed all of the tongue-in-cheek commentary, the sacrasm, and the outright jokes. Further, I consider it reasonably common knowledge that a statement such as "The NBA is better than the NCAA" is not an absolute.
You characterized my comments as "nasty" and "condescending". I would disagree. This was not my intent.
You mentioned your marriage of five years. Congratulations. I myself am engaged. I wonder if what you perceived is a result of your marriage dynamic.
>>strong women who assert themselves<<
This is irrelevant. Teresa challenged me, and I responded in kind.
Thanks for the comment. Good ones keep things sharp. See you around.
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