It's official: playing all four years in college as an NBA prospect just isn't that smart. The Felipe Lopezs and Jameer Nelsons of the world feel great on graduation day and lousy on draft day. If you're a top college player and you stay all four years and graduate, you simply haven't learned as much as you think.
The youth movement in the NBA -- Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler are veterans at the ripe old age of 21 -- is just one example of the dramatic changes the league has gone through in the last 10 years. If you're looking for another example, simply spin a globe around and stop it almost anywhere and you'll land on a country that is either home to a current NBA player or is developing the next three-point shooting, soft as tissue big man.
But what will the league look like in 2014?
Here are some storylines that might dominate the NBA in 10 years. The ones that come true -- you heard it here first. The ones that don't -- I was kidding.
-- In an attempt to reach more intellectual fans, the NBA has partnered with The E.W. Scripps Company to co-sponsor the annual national spelling bee. Spellers reaching the final round will be asked to spell the last names of NBA all-stars, who last year were 95% foreign. Since many of the league's top players are from Uganda, China, and Uzbekistan, the nation's best spellers are sure to be challenged.
-- In only their fourth year in the league, the Las Vegas Aces can lock down a playoff spot tonight with a win at home against the Clippers. Minority stake owners Pete Rose and Chris Moneymaker will be on hand, as will league Commissioner Mark Cuban. If the Aces win, they will face the Celtics in a best-of-nine first round series, with games played every four days and televised on Verizon cell phones.
-- This year's All-Star Game will take place in Split, Croatia and will feature a special ball with the Spider-Man 8 logo on it.
-- Larry Brown will leave the Cavaliers to coach the Bulls, the only team in the NBA he has not coached. After leading the 2003-'04 Pistons to a championship, Brown promptly departed to coach the Lakers. He then proceeded to coach eight teams in six years, all of which made the playoffs and none of which averaged more than 75 points per game.
-- USA Basketball qualified for the 2016 Olympics with a 65-64 win over Ethiopia. The Dream Team VIII placed 12th in the 2012 Olympics after sending an all-high school team to New York City. NBA players stopped competing after the 2008 Olympics because of security concerns and a scheduling conflict with the NBA's annual lockout party.
-- In a move that might very well start a trend in NBA drafting, the Bulls selected Yura Bust of Yugoslavia with the third pick of the draft and then promptly traded up to pick Yura's interpreter fourth. The Bulls are in their seventh rebuilding effort in nine years.
-- In conjunction with yet another comeback, Michael Jordan will put out Air Jordan XXX. When asked if this will be his final comeback, Jordan said, "As most of you know, I never say never." A 51-year old Jordan sees his latest comeback as good for the league. "I want to help the young guys. It can't be easy being 15 and in the NBA. These kids will be playing with grown men who are as old as 22 or 23."
-- The NBA launched a new initiative that aims at helping rookies deal with the pressures of drugs. "This program does not focus on the dangers of drugs, but rather on how to effectively manage your drug use," said program spokesperson Damon Stoudamire. "Had I known the things the we are teaching now -- like how to beat a drug test or how to play on marijuana -- I would have only been busted two or three times at most."
-- Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski rejected the Suns offer to coach in the NBA and has decided to stay at Duke. Coach K cited the special relationships he has with his players and recruits as the main reason for staying. "I cherish the 15 minutes I spend with a recruit on the phone before he tells me he's going pro," said Coach K, winner of eight national titles.
-- In a related note, former Duke standout Grant Hill signed a four-year, $69 million deal with the Orlando Magic. Despite over 10 years of rehab, Hill says the ankle feels good and should be ready for training camp.
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