Shabazz Muhammad dismissed from NBA Rookie Transistion Program

[D.o.s.]

Meh.

[Boris Badenov]

Wait a second. Shouldn't the punishment for doing something like this be having to attend *more* "Rookie Transition" sessions?

It's like dismissing someone from driver's ed because they fail the parallel parking test.

He has to attend again with the 2014 class

Zillgitt noted that Muhammad will be required to return to the rookie symposium next season—as a sophomore—with the Class of 2014 draftees and other players who have yet to attend the program.

Okay, got it. It's more like sending someone home from driver's ed and making him come back in a year - but letting him drive in the meantime.

My guess is a fine will be forthcoming either from the league or the team. While $20-25 large isn't much for someone that just signed a multi-million dollar contract, it will hurt some.

Suppose you offered every rookie the choice to attend, or to just pay the $25k up front and avoid the thing entirely (or even push it back a year). How many would pony up?

I'm being a bit facetious of course, but either the educational value matters or it doesn't. This sends an odd message.

The class probably doesn't matter that much to the rookies, but it's more of the "shame" factor of getting kicked out for not following rules and it being publicized. It also raises a flag for the team, especially since he he already has a reputation.

I guess. But won't the biggest knuckleheads, as KGsKnee called them, be precisely the ones who feel the least shame?

Again - either the NBA is genuinely trying to help these kids make better decisions, or it isn't.

I remember having the same reaction when I got suspended in high school: this is "punishment"? Now, detention after school - *that* I would work pretty hard to avoid. Same principle.

[RJ87]

The rule is no guests - male or female - without prior approval. Not a rule that's too hard to understand. The fact that he broke it within hours says a lot about his respect for rules.

I definitely see this kid having a Michael Beasley-esque path.

Speaking of Beasley, wasn't he involved in the Darrel Arthur/Mario Chalmers pot smoking fire alarm issue at his rookie transition camp? If Shabazz follows along Beasley's path, that is a very bad sign.

Yup.

[mmmmm]

Wait a second. Shouldn't the punishment for doing something like this be having to attend *more* "Rookie Transition" sessions?

It's like dismissing someone from driver's ed because they fail the parallel parking test.

He has to attend again with the 2014 class

Zillgitt noted that Muhammad will be required to return to the rookie symposium next season—as a sophomore—with the Class of 2014 draftees and other players who have yet to attend the program.

Okay, got it. It's more like sending someone home from driver's ed and making him come back in a year - but letting him drive in the meantime.

My guess is a fine will be forthcoming either from the league or the team. While $20-25 large isn't much for someone that just signed a multi-million dollar contract, it will hurt some.

Suppose you offered every rookie the choice to attend, or to just pay the $25k up front and avoid the thing entirely (or even push it back a year). How many would pony up?

I'm being a bit facetious of course, but either the educational value matters or it doesn't. This sends an odd message.

The class probably doesn't matter that much to the rookies, but it's more of the "shame" factor of getting kicked out for not following rules and it being publicized. It also raises a flag for the team, especially since he he already has a reputation.

I guess. But won't the biggest knuckleheads, as KGsKnee called them, be precisely the ones who feel the least shame?

Again - either the NBA is genuinely trying to help these kids make better decisions, or it isn't.

I remember having the same reaction when I got suspended in high school: this is "punishment"? Now, detention after school - *that* I would work pretty hard to avoid. Same principle.

I'm thinking the only real punishment that might have 'teeth' would be a suspension, to be enforced at the season.

I.E. - follow our rules for these 4 days or you get suspended for 4 games.

That will have all your teammates and coaches pounding sense into you before you go to make sure you don't screw up.

[bobbyv]

Stupid reason but rules are rules

[pearljammer10]

Wait a second. Shouldn't the punishment for doing something like this be having to attend *more* "Rookie Transition" sessions?

It's like dismissing someone from driver's ed because they fail the parallel parking test.

VERY good point.

I second that Very good point motion.

[Emmette Bryant]

more proof that life is like junior high school

[Neurotic Guy]

Wait a second. Shouldn't the punishment for doing something like this be having to attend *more* "Rookie Transition" sessions?

It's like dismissing someone from driver's ed because they fail the parallel parking test.

He has to attend again with the 2014 class

Zillgitt noted that Muhammad will be required to return to the rookie symposium next season—as a sophomore—with the Class of 2014 draftees and other players who have yet to attend the program.

Okay, got it. It's more like sending someone home from driver's ed and making him come back in a year - but letting him drive in the meantime.

My guess is a fine will be forthcoming either from the league or the team. While $20-25 large isn't much for someone that just signed a multi-million dollar contract, it will hurt some.

Suppose you offered every rookie the choice to attend, or to just pay the $25k up front and avoid the thing entirely (or even push it back a year). How many would pony up?

I'm being a bit facetious of course, but either the educational value matters or it doesn't. This sends an odd message.

The class probably doesn't matter that much to the rookies, but it's more of the "shame" factor of getting kicked out for not following rules and it being publicized. It also raises a flag for the team, especially since he he already has a reputation.

I guess. But won't the biggest knuckleheads, as KGsKnee called them, be precisely the ones who feel the least shame?

Again - either the NBA is genuinely trying to help these kids make better decisions, or it isn't.

I remember having the same reaction when I got suspended in high school: this is "punishment"? Now, detention after school - *that* I would work pretty hard to avoid. Same principle.

I'm thinking the only real punishment that might have 'teeth' would be a suspension, to be enforced at the season.

I.E. - follow our rules for these 4 days or you get suspended for 4 games.

That will have all your teammates and coaches pounding sense into you before you go to make sure you don't screw up.

I like a 4 day suspension (w/o pay) during which he gets an individualized Rookie Transition Program at his expense.   

It can't be only about punishment -- which in many circumstances does not act as a deterrent or cause remorse. It also has to be about making a good faith effort to teach something to these young men -- many of whom are immature and impulsive.  They are about to be very rich, more famous and constantly  tempted -- they need a course in how to manage their assets and manage themselves.  It won't work for all but may work for some.  I'd be interested to see data that provides some evidence of the effectiveness thus far of the Rookie Program.

 

[nickagneta]

I'd be interested to see data that provides some evidence of the effectiveness thus far of the Rookie Program.

I am not sure that data would be very helpful as I guess the success of an individual as a basketball player would tremendously impact any context the data could be put into.

[moiso]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I'm of the opinion the NBA needs stricter punishments for failure to comply with the rules.  Mainly, if you can't make it through the 4 days without screwing up, you don't get to play in the real NBA.

Basically, screw up, and spend the year in the D-League.  These kunckleheads just tick me off.

I agree.  Plus it's not something accidental.  He deliberately did it.  The inability to show a bit of disipline for a measly 4 days is amazing.

[Boris Badenov]

Wait a second. Shouldn't the punishment for doing something like this be having to attend *more* "Rookie Transition" sessions?

It's like dismissing someone from driver's ed because they fail the parallel parking test.

He has to attend again with the 2014 class

Zillgitt noted that Muhammad will be required to return to the rookie symposium next season—as a sophomore—with the Class of 2014 draftees and other players who have yet to attend the program.

Okay, got it. It's more like sending someone home from driver's ed and making him come back in a year - but letting him drive in the meantime.

My guess is a fine will be forthcoming either from the league or the team. While $20-25 large isn't much for someone that just signed a multi-million dollar contract, it will hurt some.

Suppose you offered every rookie the choice to attend, or to just pay the $25k up front and avoid the thing entirely (or even push it back a year). How many would pony up?

I'm being a bit facetious of course, but either the educational value matters or it doesn't. This sends an odd message.

The class probably doesn't matter that much to the rookies, but it's more of the "shame" factor of getting kicked out for not following rules and it being publicized. It also raises a flag for the team, especially since he he already has a reputation.

I guess. But won't the biggest knuckleheads, as KGsKnee called them, be precisely the ones who feel the least shame?

Again - either the NBA is genuinely trying to help these kids make better decisions, or it isn't.

I remember having the same reaction when I got suspended in high school: this is "punishment"? Now, detention after school - *that* I would work pretty hard to avoid. Same principle.

I'm thinking the only real punishment that might have 'teeth' would be a suspension, to be enforced at the season.

I.E. - follow our rules for these 4 days or you get suspended for 4 games.

That will have all your teammates and coaches pounding sense into you before you go to make sure you don't screw up.

I like a 4 day suspension (w/o pay) during which he gets an individualized Rookie Transition Program at his expense.   

It can't be only about punishment -- which in many circumstances does not act as a deterrent or cause remorse. It also has to be about making a good faith effort to teach something to these young men -- many of whom are immature and impulsive.  They are about to be very rich, more famous and constantly  tempted -- they need a course in how to manage their assets and manage themselves.  It won't work for all but may work for some.  I'd be interested to see data that provides some evidence of the effectiveness thus far of the Rookie Program.

 

You know what would be great? "Scared Straight" NBA style. Bring in Vin Baker, Antoine Walker and a few others (Kemp?) to tell these guys what happens when one makes bad decisions.

Maybe that's already part of it, I don't know.

[lightspeed5]

the significant part of this news is not what happened, its that the biggest headcase of the draft has proven he will continue to be a headcase professionally.

[Eja117]

that's kind of an odd rule

It's an incredibly stupid rule and I give him credit for treating a stupid rule the way stupid rules need to be treated. Don't let a stupid rule or tradition get in the way of common sense, duh.  What if he ends up marrying her?  My respect goes up for him more if he brings two girls next year. 

Cmon....who do you respect more? Shabazz or David Stern? Duh. Send Stern home. Just give Shabazz the [dang]ed ball.

[LooseCannon]

Speaking of Beasley, wasn't he involved in the Darrel Arthur/Mario Chalmers pot smoking fire alarm issue at his rookie transition camp? If Shabazz follows along Beasley's path, that is a very bad sign.

Arthur and Chalmers were fined 20K for that.  Beasley was fined 50K because he also interfered with the league investigation into the incident.

Their salary for that year:
Chalmers $700,000
Arthur $977,160
Beasley $4,314,960

That translates to about 1.7 games worth of pay for Arthur, 2.3 for Chalmers, and 1 game for Beasley.

Shabazz Muhammad is set to make $1,887,120 this season, or about 23K per game.

[LooseCannon]

that's kind of an odd rule

It's an incredibly stupid rule and I give him credit for treating a stupid rule the way stupid rules need to be treated. Don't let a stupid rule or tradition get in the way of common sense, duh.  What if he ends up marrying her?  My respect goes up for him more if he brings two girls next year.

Do you think a team curfew the night before a game is stupid?