The NBA Is A Dream In The NBA

Basketball is one of the most popular which is beloved sports that is played today. Michael Jordan, who played for the Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls once said, “Just play, have fun, and enjoy the game” (BrainyQuote 2016). Whether playing with friends for fun or by professionals for entertainment or simply watching from home, basketball is very enjoyed all over the world. Beginning with a unique history, basketball has evolved over time from a simple idea into a professional career choice for those with the unique skill set.

Hoop Dreams, directed by Steve James, is an outstanding documentary that gives the viewer a perspective on several different elements on the life of a teen basketball player. The film follows Arthur Agee and William Gates, two basketball stars, who live in the rough Chicago area. The inner-city boys get noticed for their skills, and they are recruited to play for dominant team. The audience follows the boy’s journey with basketball, school, and general life matters. The film dives into the reality of living in the hood and chasing a dream of playing professional basketball. The corruption of the school system and sports are examined throughout the film. The audience follows Agee and Gates through their triumphs and failures in their chase to the top. The director, Steve James, uses the film genre of documentary for the story of Arther Agee and William Gates because it highlights the raw moments of their lives.

Kobe came into the league in the most ideal scenario; he was picked by a big market, star studded, rich organization, the Los Angeles Lakers. To add to that, Kobe had 0 pressure due to the other superstar in town, Shaquille O’Neal. Kobe would be the robin to Shaq’s Batman, and by doing so, Kobe would have 3 championships in a row. In historical context, on the NBA’s chess board, Kobe was a knight; he was important but they could do without him. Kobe did not become an important piece until in his ninth year, when he was stranded with NBA journeymen. Comparing them to his old teammates was like comparing minute maid orange juice to Dom Perignon champagne. So, Kobe was granted permission to do whatever he wanted with the basketball in his hands, which lead to his average points per game going up, and his shooting efficiency to go down. LeBron however, was not drafted into success with no pressure and a Batman like Kobe was; he was the most anticipated basketball player ever, expected to lift a team, rather a city, whom had not won a sports championship since 1964, out from the ashes and into the limelight,at the age of 18. Unlike Kobe, Lebron had all the pressure to live up to his prophecy from the moment he stepped on the NBA’s basketball court and he did not disappoint. In fact, LeBron put up stats never before seen from a player so young, changing NBA history in the process. At 19, he

Throughout basketball history, there have been many amazing players to be a part of the NBA. The NBA, also known as the National Basketball Association, is not only the foremost men’s professional basketball league in North America, but is also widely considered to be the top-ranking men’s professional basketball league in the world. One of the most controversial topics in the history of NBA today is whether Michael Jordan or LeBron James is the best player to ever be a part of this association. James began his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and currently plays for the Miami Heat. Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls for most of his career; however, he played for the Washington Wizard’s from age 38 to 40. According to the New York Times, Jordan announced his retirement in Chicago on January 13th of 1999 (D8). Although LeBron James is one of the best players to be currently active in the league, Michael Jordan is known to be the best player in NBA history. Both player, without a doubt, have left a mark in the history of NBA, Michael Jordan, indisputably, is the best player to ever play in the NBA with his unstoppable defensive and offensive ability along with the determination and leadership he provided for his team.

         The NBA has seen many different players come and go throughout its 50 years of existence. In the last 15 years, there has been a boom of underclassmen leaving college early to enter the NBA draft. The last NBA draft in June, the top ten picks alone were underclassmen(Sports Illustrated, 264). Many more underclassmen are entering the NBA this year. The typical college career for the basketball players is playing until your junior year, then going pro. The NBA and the NCAA must do something in order to keep these young players in college.

“To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best, that’s all their is to it” - Adam Vinateri (American Football Player). That quote sticks out for one reason; to me it indicates that in order to develop into the “best” or among the best, you must compete against the best. Actually my interpretation might not be that far off; according to Sports Illustrated, “What seems obvious, though, is that only a small fraction of the one-and-done players in this sample completely flamed out in the NBA,” “Only a handful turned into stars – and even a smaller number into true superstars – but on average, a majority of them managed to play significant roles in the league for at least a few years.” “So I ask, if these players are missing out on such important “development” by skipping the full college basketball experience, why are they producing at a higher level than their peers?”(Moore, SI) So players not only benefit from don’t actually “flame out” and out of a job after electing to either skip college or go 1 full year. It doesn’t stop there; Kevin Pelton at ESPN, crunched numbers between players who went to college one year (One and Done) and players who attended more than one; logged their first 500 minutes and the NBA. The numbers taken by an average concluded that the One and

On the other hand though, playing professional sports is all African-American kids can dream of. Most of them live in low poverty places and most of their parents are not around and they didn’t go to college and finish high school. So when they feel they have a talent, most of them try to use that talent or special skill they think they have as a quicker way to upgrade their lifestyle instead of the long tedious process

There a many stereotypes that are explored in the film Hoop Dreams. Both William Gates and Arthur Agee fit into the stereotype of great basketball players who aren’t very successful academically. Over time as they advanced in High School this stereotype manifested to where they were unable to play at the professional level they all dreamed about when they were kids. As most parents would want to believe about their children, they want them to be successful academically and athletically. This stereotype was exploded as the documentary progressed.

In the last ten years many young and talented high school basketball players have chosen to enter the NBA draft. These 17 and 18 year olds decide to skip college, and instead they choose to take a big risk and enter the NBA, hoping to become stars and earn millions of dollars. In many cases, these youngsters’ careers are a failure because they don’t turn out as talented as they thought to be. They end up spending only a few seasons in the NBA because they are not good enough to compete at that level. Many of them have to move on to doing other things, such as playing basketball overseas, doing everyday jobs, or going back to college to earn a degree.

They can play in Europe, they can play in the D-League, they can go to college. This is a not a social program, this is a business rule for us" (Harrigan, 2012). http://blog.syracuse.com/sports/2012/04/are_one-and-done_players_bad_f.html. However, many choose to not play overseas, or within the D-League because the NCAA is a much better way for players to promote their skills to NBA teams and executives.

also helps players improve concentration and encourages the development of teamwork. People dream of going to the NBA. It's such an exciting game, filled with buzzer-beaters, blowouts, and ankle breakers. So much can also be learned from the game, such as the correct way to shoot, play

In addition to basketball players leaving behind a backup plan when they leave college early for the NBA, they also leave behind the wisdom and maturity gained in the college experience. The value of the college experience cannot be weighed; however, it is evident when players are missing those crucial life lessons. For example, NBA fans know DeMarcus Cousins and Michael Beasley for their lack of maturity. They are defined by their rotten attitudes and off-the-court issues. Cousins’ immaturity has resulted in team suspensions, and Beasley’s off-the-court conflicts have hurt his play and reputation (Diaz 1). Cousins and Beasley are not the only players battling immaturity; there are many NBA players who should have stayed in college to mature as players and men. Although one-and-done players only miss out on three years of college, those

With his cheeks burning red, Booker nervously wiped the sweat from his palms on his denim-clad legs. “I dunno, he’s beautiful, like strikingly beautiful. Since Doug’s death, there’s a glimmer of vulnerability that lies just below the surface that never used to be there. But he’s also incredibly stubborn and strong-minded, like me and I guess that’s why we fight so much. I s’pose you could say he’s kinda complicated, but that’s what makes him so appealing. He’s unpredictable, which can be frustrating, but it also makes life interesting, you know?”

Furthermore, There have been many busts in the NBA that have spent 1 year in college and went straight to the NBA. Greg Oden is a great example. Greg Oden was drafted november 1 overall in 2007 a bust in the NBA which means that he did not even come close to exceeding his expectations and rushed into the draft without the right preparation. Greg Oden was one of the biggest busts in NBA history only averaging 8 points per game in 3 NBA Seasons being on the sidelines for 3 seasons. It was all downhill for him. These players like Greg Oden thought they would be good enough for the NBA declaring after 1 year of College, Injuries and lack of skill progression have put them on the sidelines, the bench, and out of a

Some people have a mindset that makes them say I was born to do this. Kobe had that mindset