Despite never playing college basketball himself, Cavaliers superstar LeBron James has a pretty strong opinion of the sport’s governing body, the NCAA, reports Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Asked recently about the federal investigation into college basketball recruiting, James called the NCAA a “corrupt” organization and said the NBA needs to further develop a minor league-type system.
“I don’t know if there’s any fixing the NCAA. I don’t think there is,” James said. “It’s what’s been going on for many, many, many, many years. I don’t know how you can fix it. I don’t see how you can fix it… The NCAA is corrupt, we know that. Sorry, it’s going to make headlines, but it’s corrupt.
“We have to shore up our G League, continue to expand our G League… I just looked at it like the farm league, like in baseball. Or you look at pros overseas; some of those guys get signed at 14, but they get put into this farm system where they’re able to grow and be around other professionals for three or four years. Then, when they’re ready, they hit the national team, or when they’re ready, they become a pro. So I think us, we have to kind of really figure that out, how we can do that.”
Here’s more from out of the Central:
- Jordan Clarkson was largely seen as a price the Cavaliers had to pay to rid themselves of Isaiah Thomas while simultaneously obtaining the young, reasonably priced Larry Nance Jr. Yet, Clarkson has performed admirably thus far in Cleveland, and as relayed by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavs believe three-point shooting could actually become a strength for the career 33% shooter from deep.
- The Bulls have Bobby Portis under contract through next season and can make him a restricted free agent in the summer of 2019. Mark Strotman of NBC Sports Chicago takes an in-depth look at whether Portis fits into Chicago’s rebuilding plans.
- We found out earlier today that Trevor Booker plans to sign with the Pacers after his release from the Sixers is finalized. Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype opines that Booker will be a great fit with Indiana’s offense, immediately providing a new threat to score in transition and when cutting to the basket.
Lol didn’t LeBron accept improper benefits while he was in high school and he has the nerve to call out the NCAA for being corrupt…?
Yes, everything that comes out of his mouth is an exercise in hypocrisy.
In his defense, he isn’t criticizing the players who’ve accepted under the table benefits, he’s criticizing the NCAA. And he’s advocating for players to get paid through a minor league system, which supports players getting paid for their talents.
Rarely do I come to Lebron’s defense, but I have to agree with Minny Born…
What LeBron is saying, well it’s completely true. He’s saying the NCAA system is so corrupt, it can’t be fixed; therefore, the NBA needs to expand, revise, and improve their “minor league affiliate,” a.k.a the G League. So, at least, players can get paid legally, and they can be better groomed and developed in a professional atmosphere..
I cannot believe I am saying this, but, for once, I completely agree with LeBron…
It’s not the NCAA institution, it’s the alumni (LeBron isn’t one so he wouldn’t know) who are paying the athletes that the NCAA can’t control. Like Andrew Luck’s dad is second in control and works out of the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis. He has no way of controlling these in the FBI investigation. Former Secretary of State Condoleesa Rice overseees the committee on the football playoff system. There is no way she can make everyone happy.
I read an article in the Washington Post, June 17, 2014. It talks about Michael Jordan, Shaq, and other athletes getting degrees. It talks of the LeBron James foundation with LeBron telling kids to go to college. LeBron says someday he’d like to be an NBA owner. If he’s not lieing, he’ll have to get a degree first.
No the NBA isn’t going to start up a junior league, LeBron knows this. He says this because they didn’t have the one-and-done rule when he got out of high school and wants it eliminated. Dan Gilbert stopped letting LeBron run the Cavs and Adam Silver won’t let him run the NBA.
The Washington Post article says you like LeBron or you really hate him. I guess I’m not the only one who really hates him according to this article.
TS – Hate. Fear. You fall apart and can’t keep quiet when James’ name comes up. This whole page, and most any page that talks about James, is covered with your quiverings. Look at it. Disgusting, unmanly. Nothing is being advanced. Can you not attach yourself to other subjects less scary to you?
The fact that human beings are prohibited from earning their own living is a perfect example of corruption to me.
James’s right. It is not an original thought though– It has always been said. To be fair the NCAA’s job is nearly impossible. But when Cam Newton wins the title seemingly more interested in showing off his gatorade towel than the moment then you can figure some watchdogs have given up.
And the money is so good… attracting the wrong sorts.
I think James has heard some info about the latest investigation. It cannot be good.
There is nothing wrong with being expected to go to college to hone your skills for a career. That is what college is for. You are not going to be hired at a top accounting firm just because you are one of the best in the country in high school math. You still have to get an accounting degree. Why should athletes be expected to learn as much about their careers as possible too? They are not owed anything just because they are talented. You still have to put in the work.
Right. A sporting goods proprietor gave him some tshirts. He was a kid, did not stand up to him and refuse them because who does that. Jocks are given tshirts all the time. They said he was supposed to call the commissioner of HS sports in Ohio. Who does that? James has always been a lightenimg rod.
LeBron has no place to call out the NCAA. I wish evryone would stop comparing him and M.J. They played different eras, different offenses, different defenses, different time clocks, different competition, played different positions, etc. You can’t compare Steph Curry to Jerry West.
If LeBron wants to be a politician, run for office.
The NBA already funds the G League and the WNBA. Funding a league to compete with the NCAA isn’t financially feasible. Some guys just want to eliminate the one-and-done.
Wonder what players would say if NCAA went back to freshman teams and holding players for 4 years?
It was that way when UCLA was great. Now it’s a joke.
u sound crazy. lebron is one of the best players in the league currently and one of the best of all time, the league takes notice when he says things. if u havent noticed. second, why wouldnt the nba be able to fund a minor league system? theyre slowly becoming the most popular sport in the country again and their revenue is at an all time high. if mlb can do it, the nba can as well.
The NFL is the most profitable sport. The NFL has a 25 man roster and no minor league system. MLB has a 44 man roster as far as I know, I’m not much of a baseball fan. They have different makeups. This is all about trying to eliminate the one and done rule. Why start a new league if it will be dropped if they drop the one and done.
LeBron wants a league so bad, he can fund LaVar’s league. He wants a NBA team some day. He can have a bunch of LaVar’s teams. To own LaVar’s teams you don’t need a college education. To be excepted by the other NBA owners, I’d expect you need a college degree. Michael Jordan went to North Carolina for 3 years before the NBA. LeBron never went to college. what makes him an expert!
Chiefivey – Correct. He thinks a college degree is necessary to own a franchise. Who else even cares about this topic? Just rambling on, obssessed with James, terrified, like he’s trying to break down Swanson’s door right now.
For Luke Adams. How many NBA owners do not have a college degree. It bothers me everybody calling out the NCAA. Andrew Luck’s dad is the second highest in command. They have no idea how intelligent he is, or how difficult it is to do his job. Very few people can.
What will happen here is this will blow over until the NBA makes it’s the decision on the one-and-done rule. BTW: LaVar is DM mailing high school kids asking if they would be interested in his league.
I looked this up. Found an article in Washington Post, June 17, 2014, telling LeBron to get a college degree like all the other athletes.
I don’t know if Michael Jordan finished his degree. All the other owners are very well educated and some on the boards of colleges.
Michael Jordan did graduate from University of North Carolina. To see list of owners see NBA owners wikipedia.
This Washington Post article says before LeBron can tell others about college, he needs to get a degree himself like the other athletes (remember Kawhi Leonard’s name off the top of my head).
Do you remember LeBron saying he’d like to own the Cavs some day if he had the money and the situation was right. He said he’d consider other teams too. I apologize for having a good memory.
MLB has a 25-man roster, and an expanded 40-man roster..To put it simply, the fifteen extra players are allowed to be shuttled back and forth from the ML and AAA/AA in case of injuries…
Just saying, if you, or anyone else, wanted to know..
Thanks, Growing up I was a big fan. Hank aaron, Phil Niekro, Dale Murphy, Bob Horner, Greg Maddox, Gary Scheffield etc. Slacked off as I got older.
Dan Gilbert isn’t taking notice. LeBron wants to be a free agent. You only see 5 teams at the most that can handle him. They are better off waiting for Kawhi, Klay Thompson, Kevin Love, etc. Less baggage to deal with and less money too. Just as good of players. Thompson plays with 4 all-stars. LeBron is a one man show.
You know sports revenue so much, can you tell us the revenue of all the North American sports franchises, and show us the totals of all the sports. Please tell me where you got the information.
This meant for ChiefIvey.
These UCLA teams are without question the best of all time with the best coach (sorry Coach K, it’s a different era, 2 good coaches. Us old farts think Coach wooden is the best). These young kids have no idea of how it used to be.
For Luke Adams, are you old enough to remember when they had a freshman team, and you had to go to college for 4 years? Do you remember the UCLA dynasty? I don’t think it can ever be repeated.
You didn’t have to. But it was not very common to leave early. Moses Malone didn’t go to college. Neither did Darryl Dawkins. But you are correct that MOST players stayed in school.
Back when Lew Alcindor Played for UCLA you had to. I’m a Purdue Alum. We’ve been to the Final Four twice, lost to UCLA both times. I was in school when they had the freshman teams. That was a long long time ago. They go back to the Oscar Robertson days. He was from Indianapolis Crispus Attucks and went to Cincinnati. I’m not sure, but I don’t think the NBA had free agency yet. They could trade. That’s why the Bill Russell Celtics stuck together. I’m old, I wish we could have those days back.
The Pacers need rebounding and Booker will give them that. It’s strange he was drafted by the Washington Wizards in the first round along with John Wall. Time flies.
Wow
LeBron isn’t dumb. The Wasshington Post article says other athletes have degrees. It mentions him and the LeBron James Foundation telling kids to go to college. LeBron said publicly he’d like to own the Cavs some day. Some jobs require a college degree and this is one of them. Wowee!!
If LeBron wants to be an NBA owner like he says, he will have to get a degree. As the head of the LeBron James Foundation providing scholarships for Akron area kids, he should anyways. When anybody finds a flaw in anything LeBron says or does, you Cleveland eastside guys can’t stand it. You realize outside of Cleveland, a lot of fans don’t like him because of his ego. I really hate to post this much, but you don’t realize LeBron can’t have everything he wants. Gilbert is tired of it, and other owners won’t put up with it. Wade is 36 and may retire. LeBron is 33 and realizes this may be his last big contract.