Re: Tits!
 

It seems mostly like he has on squarer (in both senses) glasses and a boxier suit for this character. His face looks a little more filled out too but he's still super handsome.

Re: Tits!
 

actually image search, and from the new movie, shows that he is still amongst us mega-handsome- we are a group that is hardest on ourselves I suppose. he did look haggard last night, perhaps from make-up due to the story?

The Soon-to-be-Latest Trend?
 

Hey Hank, what do you think of this 17 year old Jeremy Tyler kid skipping his senior year of high school to ball professionally in Europe?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaJcyVNju4k

TM

Re: The Soon-to-be-Latest Trend?
 

In my heart I'm sort of against kids going pro early (like even leaving college early) because it just seems like it eats up what should be a relaxed fun time- but reality is a player at a big school doesn't have a relaxed time. OTOH, losing his senior year seems tough.

kids who are clearly built to play pro ball start very early in europe. Darko was a pro at 15 or 16 I think. So if the kid wants to get some money now, you can't blame him. I guess I wonder if his family influenced him unduly, and whether he thought through losing his senior year.

All that said, he looks a bit slow in the highlight reel. I never understand highlight reels that include NO passes or defensive plays. Most coaches don't look at this sort* reel. they ask for a complete game film.

*they will look if the guy is 6'11" of course.

Re: The Soon-to-be-Latest Trend?
 

I actually sat in on a meeting with an agent and a community college basketball player with all the athleticism in the world when he was about to turn pro. He's no longer in the league.

Anyway, the meeting was just sad. This kid was completely checked out. Nothing between the ears, wasn't listening and was really only interested in where everyone would be eating dinner later (Puffy's place). His mother was there (former crack addict) and her new boyfriend, who had taken on the role of family advisor. He was the only person to respond from their side and was clearly fucking the mother for the upcoming big payoff.

Here are the questions they asked:

How much can he make in endorsements?
How much will his first and second contract bring in?
What can you give us to sign with you?
When can the mom get a new house?
How much will you charge?
Are we getting a limo to dinner?
Etc.

All the while, this kid's mother would jump up in down in her seat and clap her hands after the agent told her another update about what he thought he would earn. The agent brought in his team of financial advisors, trainers and PR people. Blank stares during every presentation. When the trainer asked the kid if he was ready to get to work so that he could withstand the differences in the NBA, the kid said, "I never worked out a day in my life," and checked right back out of the conversation (although I don't think he was well enough equipped to participate anyway).

It was one of the saddest things I've ever seen. And you just know this kid was bled dry (especially by the other agent he ended up signing with who offered him a cash payment to pick him, which I'm sure he took back in other ways, once signed). Turns out, the mother's boyfriend got a kickback from the agent they signed with and left her 3 days after the kid signed.

So, in short, I agree with you. These kids have no idea what is going on around them, can't trust anyone and are completely unprepared to make any decision at all when it comes to their careers. They are used up and spit out at every level.

TM

Re: The Soon-to-be-Latest Trend?
 

You didn't ask but this is something know a little bit about and I think its more than likely a big mistake...I've known grown men who've washed out trying to play overseas.... Not as a result of the basketball skills, although there is a significant amount of pressure on American players...there is a lot of time not spent on the basketball court.....

Re: The Soon-to-be-Latest Trend?
 

ROFL hysterically at the questions.... in a sad way, though... Its funny when I hear people saying Oh, go play in Europe/Asia etc... as if its a picnic or that easy... its not...at all....

Re: The Soon-to-be-Latest Trend?
 

Those European leagues are tough. And you're playing against men, not boys. Plust there's the homesickness and isolation, cultural and language differences--I bet it's really tough.

Just saw this article on ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4096202

I'd like to hear more about your (second hand) personal experiences with this.

TM

Re: The Soon-to-be-Latest Trend?
 

That is really sad. There are so many leeches waiting to bleed young kids who are physically talented. KG was very lucky to have found good mentors (both inside and outside of basketball) when he first came to the NBA. Though I think he was also luckier in his family and his own ability to pay attention to what was going on around him that the kid you saw.

Re: The Soon-to-be-Latest Trend?
 

Most of the leeches live in their houses.....lol.

Re: The Soon-to-be-Latest Trend?
 

True re: the young age, but they aren't playing in the top division leagues (except Tony Parker), they have completed the equivalent of high school, and many are in school.... And in europe the Big teams have club teams that start very young, so while the kids are young in age, they aren't young in basketball, they still live home with their families etc....

Re: The Soon-to-be-Latest Trend?
 

the situation is screwy much lower than the guys with NBA potential.
I've just finished helping 3 seniors sort out where they're going to college. all 3 will play ball, but the first cut was based on what school is right. tons of kids are out basically throwing away the fun, and growth of h.s. so they can get their names in the paper and get a scholarship. it's misdirected.

a kid a year ahead of my son took an offer from Mi Tech. An engineering school at the extreme north of the U.P. I asked the kid if he had strong math skills, umm nope. His parents meant well but didn't know enough about the range of schools out there.

a kid who is a senior with my son should have been a low D1 guy. he got so crazed because of what his "uncle" was whispering in his ear that he ruined his season and the team's with his selfishness. He is playing JuCo next year, and not because of grades.

the entire effort is distorted by the AAU mill and grown men who make a living running "exposure camps" and recruiting services.

I'm not sure what any of this has to do with anything other than it has really bothered me to watch it over the last year.

Re: The Soon-to-be-Latest Trend?
 

After reading that SI article about the majority of athletes of all stripes who end up bankrupt within two years of leaving the league, I'm not surprised by any of this anymore.

Re: The Soon-to-be-Latest Trend?
 

Kids like this need Myron Bolitar** as their agent!


**protagonist of a great mystery series by Harlen Coben

Re: The Soon-to-be-Latest Trend?
 

That sucks. He play one season, (if he can make grades first semester) maybe, wash out and be totin' bags at a hotel on a hook up from some booster........