No, not like John Amaechi, but Scoop Jackson thinks he's staying at Ohio State. I've also read on ESPN and CNNsi that he might stay (he loves college life, is a pretty good student, etc...). I always value education and if he wants to do that, more power to him, but I don't know if leaving millions on the plate (and risking injury) would be the best thing in the world.
I even read the Durant might stay too.
Kevin Kelly: "Mr. Austin, would you like to comment on Wade Keller's Take that endorsing the XFL hurts your anti-authority character?"
Steve Austin: "Oh shit, he actually said that? I thought the boys in the back were ribbing me!"
Kelly: "No, he really said that. Did they tell you the part about you sitting in the stands, looking all skeptical?"
Austin: "AHAHAHAHAHAHA. Yeah... oh man that was too much."
I heard this same tidbit on the Dan Patrick Show and I actually agree with DP's take on it. What does it say about us if we, as a society, start labeling this kid as crazy if he chooses to stay in school and get an education? Why is passing up a few million dollars that he'll probably get anyway through the course of his career in favor of a degree such a bad thing? Oden's no dummy (and I don't just mean that because of his near-4.0 GPA). He knows that the large contracts and endorsement deals will always be there. If he wants to stay in school, more power to him. I personally don't know why him going to the NBA after his freshman year was such a foregone conclusion to some people anyway.
If the Sonics have a top-2 pick, I hope they both come out. If the Sonics don't but the Celtics have a top-2 pick I hope Oden comes out and Durant stays, only for the potential material Simmons would get from that scenario. (ESPECIALLY if Durant came out the next year and became a Knick. Good times, as he might say.)
Did anyone else read this column by Frank Deford? He theorizes that Oden and Durant should stay in school, but then tries to make a dumbfuck correlation to Sidney Crosby's lack of popularity.
If you don't think this kind of college display helps, do you know who Sidney Crosby is? No? Well, to a great many people in ice hockey, he is merely the finest prospect since Wayne Gretzky, but Crosby had no college exposure before he came to the National Hockey League, and so he remains fairly well unknown except to hockey connoisseurs.
As though college hockey is even 10% as mainstream as college basketball. Tool.
Holy fuck shit motherfucker shit. Read comics. Fuck shit shit fuck shit I sold out when I did my job. Fuck fuck fuck shit fuck. Sorry had to do it....
*snip*
Revenge of the Sith = one thumb up from me. Fuck shit. I want to tittie fuck your ass. -- The Guinness. to Cerebus
Why in the hell is it somehow a great thing if this kid spends 4 years pursuing a degree that he will never use when he could be doing not only what he is best at, but what he most likely loves more than anything else?
I figure it this way, if Oden comes out this year and plays for 15 years he'll be a retired multi-millionaire in his mid 30's. That would be the time to go back to school, study whatever the hell your heart desires. I see nothing especially noble about getting your degree at 21 instead of 41. Most of us do it because that's the only way we can get a job, not because its the best way to live life.
As a Michigan fan, I root for Oden to leave so Michigan has a chance to actually beat OSU one of these days.
As someone who thinks that dipsh!t Bill Simmons is commiting the most traitorous of sins by rooting against his own sorry team, I sincerely hope both Oden and Durant stay in school so I can metaphorically savor the taste of his salty tears.
And that his Celtics lose every game the rest of the way.
Everything I've read here locally suggests he will probably stay at OSU. I'll still believe it, and be ecstatic, when I see it. Either way, I'd be rooting for him in his career as he certainly comes off as a class act.
Originally posted by spfWhy in the hell is it somehow a great thing if this kid spends 4 years pursuing a degree that he will never use when he could be doing not only what he is best at, but what he most likely loves more than anything else?
I figure it this way, if Oden comes out this year and plays for 15 years he'll be a retired multi-millionaire in his mid 30's. That would be the time to go back to school, study whatever the hell your heart desires. I see nothing especially noble about getting your degree at 21 instead of 41. Most of us do it because that's the only way we can get a job, not because its the best way to live life.
You can go to college in your 30s, but it's nothing like going between 18-23. Living the college lifestyle is a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime experience. There's a lot more to college than getting a degree. And, by waiting until your 30s, you'd miss out on all the other stuff.
He can get an injury insurance policy for the multi-millions. I think he'd be seen as a fantastic credit risk by any insurance company. For him, pro basketball will be an option he can pursue at any time.
"Teach children that they have great potential because they are human." -Warrior
Originally posted by CorajudoYou can go to college in your 30s, but it's nothing like going between 18-23. Living the college lifestyle is a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime experience. There's a lot more to college than getting a degree. And, by waiting until your 30s, you'd miss out on all the other stuff.
You're not wrong, but how does the typical college lifestyle compare to the lifestyle of a multi-millionaire NBA rookie? Why bother going to frat parties when your whole life could be a big party?
If anything, he should talk to Matt Leinart about whether its worth it to graduate or not.
On a side note, we had a 26 year old guy living in our dorm freshman year. He seemed cool and all, but just because he was 8 years older than us made the whole thing just slightly creepy.
You believe me, don't you? Please believe what I just said...
The time value of money suggests that both are better off to take the money now as opposed to waiting one, two, or three years to enter the draft.
Given that they are expected to be the top 2 draft picks, they can't really help their draft stock by staying in college. Granted, if either played for Kentucky, I'd be all for them going to graduate school and applying for a fifth year of eligibility, so I'm a hypocrite - but from a purely "economical" standpoint it would make more sense for them to both go to the NBA after this season.
Having said that, it would be super for the NCAA if either or both stayed in school.
University of Kentucky basketball isn't a matter of life and death, it's much more important than that.
Originally posted by RudoublesedoublelThe time value of money suggests that both are better off to take the money now as opposed to waiting one, two, or three years to enter the draft.
Given that they are expected to be the top 2 draft picks, they can't really help their draft stock by staying in college. Granted, if either played for Kentucky, I'd be all for them going to graduate school and applying for a fifth year of eligibility, so I'm a hypocrite - but from a purely "economical" standpoint it would make more sense for them to both go to the NBA after this season.
Clearly, from a financial/Present Value standpoint, there is no question. And, I'm always surprised when I see someone who's 18-22 postponing making millions in order to live the college experience. This is especially true if they come from a poor background (and I don't have any clue about Oden's or Durant's background).
Still, as EddieBurkett said, talk to Leinart. Talk to Tim Duncan. Talk to Kevin Garnett. But, also talk to some guy who flamed out early whose name almost everyone has forgotten.
Also, I don't know if the NBA has this policy, but the NFL players' union pays the full tuition, fees and books for players who return to college after starting their career (they just have to earn at least a C in all classes taken). In fact, I have a student in one of my classes who is using that program. Obviously, this wouldn't mean too much to Oden or Durant, but it would be a good program for the guys who leave early to try and seek their millions but do not make it.
"Teach children that they have great potential because they are human." -Warrior
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