Thread: SI.com Jeff Pearlman: I would rather my child not attend college than play for Cal

I was late to the Jeff Pearlman party this morning, but I will try to fill you in on the craziness.

Jeff Pearlman of SI.com tweeted early this morning and it has created quite a stir.

@jeffpearlmanjeffpearlman

I would rather my child not attend college than play for someone like John Calipari.

@jeffpearlmanjeffpearlman

I don't get it. How is it even "college" basketball when your stars attend school 1 year & attend classes for 1/2? is that what u want?

As you can imagine the BBN has taken offense to this tweet and have taken their frustration out on Mr. Pearlman.

Pearlman retracted a little bit, as he made more of a generalization:

@jeffpearlmanjeffpearlman

let me rephrase (seriously): how can college hoops fans feel an attachment to teams when players leave after a year? it just seems ... fake.

The BBN stayed on Mr. Pearlman and I guess you can only take so much.

@jeffpearlmanjeffpearlman

A fair point made: If Kentucky players attend classes all year before leaving, as has been said, I apologize for that wrong generalization.

You can check out his timeline if you want to read more, but this is a classic case of picking on Kentucky and how the BBN will take up for it's own in a heartbeat.

Originally Posted by Scott Anderson

I was late to the Jeff Pearlman party this morning, but I will try to fill you in on the craziness.

Jeff Pearlman of SI.com tweeted early this morning and it has created quite a stir.

@jeffpearlmanjeffpearlman

I would rather my child not attend college than play for someone like John Calipari.

@jeffpearlmanjeffpearlman

I don't get it. How is it even "college" basketball when your stars attend school 1 year & attend classes for 1/2? is that what u want?

As you can imagine the BBN has taken offense to this tweet and have taken their frustration out on Mr. Pearlman.

Pearlman retracted a little bit, as he made more of a generalization:

@jeffpearlmanjeffpearlman

let me rephrase (seriously): how can college hoops fans feel an attachment to teams when players leave after a year? it just seems ... fake.

The BBN stayed on Mr. Pearlman and I guess you can only take so much.

@jeffpearlmanjeffpearlman

A fair point made: If Kentucky players attend classes all year before leaving, as has been said, I apologize for that wrong generalization.

You can check out his timeline if you want to read more, but this is a classic case of picking on Kentucky and how the BBN will take up for it's own in a heartbeat.

Just who is the Jeff Pearlman anyway???? Does what he writes, thinks, or says make any difference in the scheme of life for BBN????? I don't think so. Morons are always going to pick on Kentucky and say mean, hateful, nasty and even make up stuff to get a rise out of us. That way, he can get some attention. As I said, who is he anyway???

Your child doesn't have to attend college if they play for Cal or Kentucky... I thought that was why they went there?

NBA talent players don't need a college degree. They need Cal to elavate their game. I got a 4year degree and i assume Wall, Boogie, Bledsoe, Knight, and soon to be Davis and Gilly will earn more then myself and most others with 4 year or 8 year degrees. NBA caliber talent need publicity and television. The University of Kentucky can most assuredely do that. To study a trade or a field one goes to a particular school known for producing skilled "students/workers". This argument is grossly misused. Anthony Davis doesnt want to be a social worker. He wants to play professional bball. So should he stay 4 years and miss 3 years of earnings?

As long as you are willing to pay the high price ticket to watch them play in the NBA there is a need. Right? Would they be willing to pay the same price to watch you do what you do best?

Hell no they wouldnt pay to see me in my miserable job. All im saying is why try to reflect negatively on a coach or kid for wanting to play one year and leave. Like or dislike Cal he is a players coach. That to me is a very strong asset in this business. Many of his high profile kids want to stick around but Cal is extremely unselfish. You think he could not have influenced Wall or Boogie to stay another year? I assure you he could. He would not...because they were ready. He pulls no punches. He loves them but holds them accountable for their actions. Good or bad. He could build a team in 2 years that would for all intents and purposes be unbeatable. But to do that he would have to LIE to some kids and hold on to them knowing they are NBA ready. He simply wont do that. UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. Would the majority of ncaa coaches do that. You know the answer. But the media finds a way to spin this into a negative quality.