https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/30930562/ranking-2021-ncaa-tournament-coaches-players-1-68

Some of these names might interest you all.

NathanAllen said:

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https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/30930562/ranking-2021-ncaa-tournament-coaches-players-1-68

Some of these names might interest you all.

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Fun article! Thanks. How would Jason Kidd rank? #1 or #2?

calumnus said:

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NathanAllen said:

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https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/30930562/ranking-2021-ncaa-tournament-coaches-players-1-68

Some of these names might interest you all.

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Fun article! Thanks. How would Jason Kidd rank? #1 or #2?

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I loved the photos. Some gems!

No way Kidd goes ahead of Patrick Ewing. But I'd slide him ahead of Juwan Howard. Howard had the more prolific (and longer) college career, but Kidd's pro career is on par with Ewing's. Ewing was legendary in both college and the pros. That gives him the No. 1 nod in my opinion.

NathanAllen said:

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calumnus said:

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NathanAllen said:

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https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/30930562/ranking-2021-ncaa-tournament-coaches-players-1-68

Some of these names might interest you all.

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Fun article! Thanks. How would Jason Kidd rank? #1 or #2?

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I loved the photos. Some gems!

No way Kidd goes ahead of Patrick Ewing. But I'd slide him ahead of Juwan Howard. Howard had the more prolific (and longer) college career, but Kidd's pro career is on par with Ewing's. Ewing was legendary in both college and the pros. That gives him the No. 1 nod in my opinion.

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I agree, but they are actually pretty similar. Ewing had more success in college obviously (played all four years) and has an NCAA Championship. Kidd has the NBA Championship and was 5 time NBA first team All-Star, whereas Ewing was only first team once. The overall rankings seem to more heavily weight professional success over college success, so by that standard I think Kidd would get the nod.

Ewing played in what was for me a classic era of college and NBA players. It really reminds me why it was crazy for the NBA to allow early entry. The NBA is the most star driven league and NCAA basketball and its tournament was/is the best farm system for generating ready made stars in sports. And it didn't cost the NBA anything.

Uhhh, yeah, it was cray-cray for the NBA to want Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James in their league for four additional years. Who would want those guys.

I always prefer a player-coach

BearSD said:

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Uhhh, yeah, it was cray-cray for the NBA to want Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James in their league for four additional years. Who would want those guys.

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Understood for the biggest stars, so maybe an exception for first round picks only with anyone else able to still go to college? But I will assert that NBA players as a whole would be more recognizable if they starred in college for three years first. Even the biggest stars.

calumnus said:

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BearSD said:

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Uhhh, yeah, it was cray-cray for the NBA to want Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James in their league for four additional years. Who would want those guys.

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Understood for the biggest stars, so maybe an exception for first round picks only with anyone else able to still go to college? But I will assert that NBA players as a whole would be more recognizable if they starred in college for three years first. Even the biggest stars.

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An NBA player who aspires to be a future star might develop better by playing no college ball or only one year. Luka Doncic, LaMelo Ball, and Zion Williamson are examples of under-23 stars who did that, in addition to the players mentioned above.

OTOH, there will always be some star players and a lot of solid players who play 3 or 4 years in college -- the Warriors' big three all did -- and that route isn't foreclosed to anyone. But there should be the opportunity for players to choose either way -- play in college, or choose another path to the NBA. Doesn't have to be just one path.

BearSD said:

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calumnus said:

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BearSD said:

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Uhhh, yeah, it was cray-cray for the NBA to want Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James in their league for four additional years. Who would want those guys.

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Understood for the biggest stars, so maybe an exception for first round picks only with anyone else able to still go to college? But I will assert that NBA players as a whole would be more recognizable if they starred in college for three years first. Even the biggest stars.

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An NBA player who aspires to be a future star might develop better by playing no college ball or only one year. Luka Doncic, LaMelo Ball, and Zion Williamson are examples of under-23 stars who did that, in addition to the players mentioned above.

OTOH, there will always be some star players and a lot of solid players who play 3 or 4 years in college -- the Warriors' big three all did -- and that route isn't foreclosed to anyone. But there should be the opportunity for players to choose either way -- play in college, or choose another path to the NBA. Doesn't have to be just one path.

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That is a different argument and I definitely agree when looked at from the standpoint of the players. They should have options and not be "forced" to play 3 years of minor league ball for free. The NBA owners greatly benefited from it though.