Thursday afternoon Buck & Kincaid were talking to a northerner who runs a scouting video website, about Terrell Pryor. The guy saw him play in high school and Pryor was the best he'd ever seen. Said teams were talking about using a 6th round pick on him, but that as a tight end he would be a 3rd round pick. Glad the Falcons are staying away from guys like him.
The Braves are the same way, mostly sticking to the higher moral guys. Guys like Lofton, Justice, and Sheffield stand out, though Justice and Sheffield were competitive and wanted to win. Sheffield was better behaved playing for Cox.
This morning I just read the Sports Illustrated article about a good guy…Stanford QB Andrew Luck. Losing millions by staying in school another year, because he wanted to finish with the guys he came in with…and get his architecture degree. Also the University of Washington QB who stayed an extra year, supposedly losing value as a draft pick.
But all most high school athletes can think about is making it into "the league" and making money. If they would plan better, they could have a college degree and a longer pro career. Many are poor, and are coddled from the time they're eight, and have "experts" advising them to go pro…so the "experts" can mooch money off them.
All the tattoos and guns and stuff just turns me off. But it's refreshing to read about a Tyson Chandler happily enjoying remaking himself into a low-scoring defender, to help his team win the championship. Or the injury riddled Andrew Bynum working hard to develop his game, while working to become expert in building computers. Or Pau Gasol doing community service and preparing to become a surgeon after his days as a basketball player. Or Phil Jackson trying different, creative ways to motivate his team, celebrating championships surrounded by family. After a lifetime in basketball, can you blame him for wanting to do something else at 65?
Certainly makes me an old codger, doesn't it?
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