LeBron James is one of the superstars in the NBA who was drafted straight out of high school. Sports Analyst Chris Broussard has used the LA Lakers star as an example to show that player conduct is irrelative to a college education.
James was drafted with the first pick in the 2003 draft, and two years later, the NBA prohibited players from being drafted from high school. With the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the league is proposing that the draft age limit be reduced to 18.
The topic has sparked a debate in the NBA community, as many have opposing views. Some believe that one year in college will help mold young athletes into men, while others do not believe spending one year in college will be a defining factor.
On "The Odd Couple," Broussard and Rob Parker discussed the topic. Broussard attempted to highlight players who were professional despite being drafted in high school. He also pointed out college products that were scandalous.
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
"That was the thing they always said. 'Well, they need the socialization of college.' LeBron James has been a model player. Tracy McGrady was fine, Jermaine O'Neal was fine, Kevin Garnett was fine. I mean these are some of the best citizens the league has seen.
"And Charles Barkley, who I'm not saying he's a bad citizen, but he did throw somebody through a window. He did spit on the fan. He went to college. Allen Iverson didn't want to practice, he went to college. You know what I'm saying? Some guys who have gone to college have made big mistakes and guys that came out of high school didn't. So, that's not it."
All interested parties are hoping a new agreement will be reached before December 15. Shams Charania of The Athletic has revealed that the NBA and the NBPA are in "serious talks."
Fans believe the new rule is proposed to favor LeBron James' son Bronny
James has explicitly expressed his interest in playing with his son Bronny in the NBA. However, per the 2005 CBA, he will not be eligible for the draft until 2024.
With the new proposition, fans believe James is pulling strings to make sure his son is eligible after graduating high school in 2023. It has been reported that several colleges have indicated an interest in Bronny, but he has not made a decision. If the James' pull it off, they will be the first father-son duo to play at the same time in the NBA.
Nonetheless, LeBron James has an active contract with the Lakers until at least 2024. His primary objective will be to win another championship for his legacy and the Lakers.
Although many do not see them as title contenders, some still believe the James-Anthony Davis duo could cause some problems. The duo led the Lakers to their 17th title in 2020.
Los Angeles Lakers Fan? Check out the latest Lakers depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.