A sign of things to come, Duke player quits team midseason to prep for draft

I can't believe have read all the way through this thread. Congrats "shoes" you're the straw that broke my camel's back. 

So. As a player, coach and official I never developed an affinity for fans-never...and here you do a very good job of outlining why. Contrary  to what fans think the playing of the games is not about them-as in nothing. I can honestly say that as a player, coach or official I have never once in my life, for one fleeting split-second, considered the fans in my actions with regard to a game I was involved in-not once. And I can pretty much guarantee you that I am not an exception here. When players and coaches do acknowledge fans you should know that they are actually rolling their eyes and ridiculing you for your shallow, delusional interest. Those of us who are playing the games would do so whether or not you show up to watch-for free...well, for little more than food and lodging anyway. There is some hyperbole here-but not as much as one might think...a fool and his money are soon parted and, here, sports are exhibit A. So, I ask, who are the idiots here???

We as a society have constructed this silly model. Fine, criticize the kids for their attempt to navigate this maze we have built-how adult of us.

I never said he had to care or listen to anyone's reactions to his decision, but he made a decision and has to live with how 80% of CBB fans are reacting to that decision. This decision will also surely impact his NBA draft stock

The ‘me’ generation has no morals or ethics. 

You consistently have some of the worst takes... Does he care what a NBA GM thinks?  Because if I was an NBA GM, I would consider his decision to be a bit of a character flaw.  And I don’t give a shit about feelings, only winning, & how that player would react when he’s losing.

99% of us would have done the same thing yet he's the first one EVER to opt out in basketball midseason? Don't agree with the statistics.

And I don't agree with the mindset. There are good things around the thought of self care and self preservation but this isn't an individual sport. It's a team sport which requires a team first mentality to be successful as a team (and could very well be a sign for why they have been so uncharacteristically bad) - NBA is no different. This won't look good to most GM's, and he better be ready to change that mindset once he gets paid or it will be a tough career for him.

Leo, I'm in your 1% minority then - though IMO it's absurd to claim 99% of people would do what this kid is doing. I'll assume that's hyperbole.

I absolutely would NOT leave a team in the middle of a season. I absolutely WOULD honor the scholarship contract I signed and fulfill my obligations on the court, in practice, and attending class. That doesn't seem like a radical, noble or rare position. The overwhelming majority of players do just that, including most that have a future in professional hoops.

The whole argument seems wacky to me. Why "trudge along"? Because you're on a team, that's why. Would you teach your kid to quit because their team isn't winning? FFS, anyone can still gain tons of experience, life lessons, maturity, leadership, determination, heart - all while honing basketball skills and playing a game you presumably love. Furthermore, Duke's season isn't finished - they could still make the damn tournament!

If he's injured, of course he should take his long-term health into consideration. He could still be on the team, supporting his teammates. Duke has great facilities, trainers and doctors.  

I've no idea what an athletic scholarship legally requires on the part of the SA, but it seems pretty clear the intent is for the athlete to remain on the team and participate.

Do universities profit from some athletes/teams? Yep. Often well in excess of what the athlete gets out of the deal. That doesn't mean the athlete doesn't receive significant benefits by being a scholarship athlete - especially at a high profile great school like Duke. 

Sure, rules can/should be adjusted to be more equitable - NIL is a good example. I simply don't buy the argument that scholarship basketball players get a raw deal just because others profit from it. if you don't want to attend college/play college basketball - don't. Play G-league or overseas.

I doubt NCAA could mandate 3 years for basketball even if they wanted to - in football there's a reasonable argument 18 year-old kids would be physically endangered playing NFL - doesn't apply to hoops. I'm no lawyer, but seems to me NCAA would lose in court trying to enforce a 3 year rule.

Last thought: I absolutely hate what Harden did. Guy makes $50M a year, and he sabotages his team to force a trade. If it's anachronistic to believe a person should do their best to honor the terms of a signed contract (at $50M/year!) - well, to me that's pretty sad.

This is just the POV of a blog-reader; I fully understand the only value is in the context of this discussion with this group of people - I certainly don't expect an athlete to care what I think.