With CBA down, now is the time for NBA to step up

The recent mess with the Continental Basketball Association has made this a perfect time for the NBA to step up and take control of the small-city market. It is an old and worn argument, but one that is yet to be resolved, and the NBA is paying for it. While the NCAA might be against it, it is time to set up a minor league.\nThere are several reasons why it should be done, and several reasons why it will work. \nDuring the past 15 years, the talent level has obviously declined. While the biggest reason for this -- too many teams in the league -- cannot be resolved, a minor league will allow players who come into the league at a young age time to grow, without teams losing them after the maturation process has completed.\nSince 1995, rookies have been forced to sign three-year contracts with the team that drafted them. The goal was to avoid large contracts to unproven players. But this has been solved. As a side effect, high schoolers are entering the league at an amazingly high rate, and using the three years as preparation, instead of playing in college. After the three years end, they are ready to go anywhere for lots of money. \nThe most notable cases are Tracy McGrady of Orlando and Jermaine O'Neal of Indiana. McGrady spent his three years on Toronto's bench. He could have soared in college, but the experience he gained watching all of those NBA games and practicing with NBA players was far more valuable than competing at the college level. And let's not forget the paycheck. Now he is battling for the league scoring title, and helping the Magic return to the top of the Eastern Conference.\nWhile O'Neal was traded to the Pacers (rather than signed), it was obvious he was in the same situation. The talented center learned from great players and coaches in Portland, and when his time came there was no room for him, but he was coveted as much as a No. 1 draft pick by others in the league.\nThe argument against having a minor league is that it would reduce the talent in the NCAA, creating weaker play. I disagree.\nThe fact is the best players are already skipping college anyway. The level of talent in the NCAA is not as high as it used to be, but the game is still prospering. As a matter of fact, the past two NCAA tournaments have been arguably the most competitive in 15 years. Connecticut and Michigan State are unusual champions, which displays the equality of the competition.\nEven the best players in college are not staying for long. The 2000 NBA draft saw underclassmen become 34 of the 58 picks. The fact is, the NCAA will not decline in talent enough to ruin the game if a minor league is created. \nWhile the NCAA might prosper from having such wonderful talent for so many years, it is obvious there are several players who are not college material, anyway. These teams are supposed to represent the schools, and often this does not happen. By allowing the players with sure shots at the NBA to go right in, the NCAA can regain its own identity, and the players will work hard to improve enough to become NBA material.\nIf a minor league were installed, the three-year rule would have to go. Teams would have to know that a prospect is worth teaching. As it stands right now, it is almost dangerous for a player to become too good, as he might use what he has learned to make more money elsewhere.\nTeams could be patient with youngsters, and even let them come up to the top level at times, allowing a simpler adaptation to the pros.\nFinally, the NBA would be saving basketball in smaller cities -- places where basketball is loved, but towns are too small to support teams. The NBA is not in danger of folding, and these cities would see talent, albeit raw. \nThe system works in major league baseball, and would work in basketball as well. No one would lose, as long as all parties played their cards right. Most importantly, the talent would rise again in the NBA, and that is well worth the investment.