DOES AGE MATTER IN THE NBA?

For the past three years, many pundits have questioned the NBA’s decision to impose a 19-year-old age limit on potential draftees. Supporters of the rule don’t feel those who make the preps-to-pros jump are mature enough to handle the rigors that come with being a professional, citing  Leon Smith and Ndudi Ebi as classic examples for the implementation of the limit. Many (including Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban) actually believe the age limit should be raised to 20 or 22. Critics of the rule, meanwhile, point to all the best players in the league, most of whom came straight out of high school. Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, and Dwight Howard all skipped college and developed themselves into perennial MVP candidates. Read more

GORDON LEFT OUT OF THREE-POINT CONTEST

Ben Gordon, despite showing some wizardry from beyond the arc, was left out of the three-point shooting contest during the All-Star game. Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson makes the case that Gordon should have a shot, since he’s only behind invitees Indiana Pacer Danny Granger, Orlando Magic Rashard Lewis and Atlanta Hawk Mike Bibby in made three-pointers at 108. His percentage, however, is only higher than Granger’s, so he was left outside looking in. The snub didn’t seem to affect him in the Chicago Bulls’ win over the injury-depleted New Orleans Hornets - Gordon scored 19 points and went three of seven from beyond the three-point line.

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FIRST-TIME ALL-STAR SUGGESTIONS

Devin Harris, Al Jefferson and Danny Granger should make the All-Star team for the first time, says Sports Illustrated’s Ian Thomsen. Jason Terry, LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Harrington and Josh Smith are others that should be considered candiates. He acknowledges that not everyone’s going to make it. Deron Williams is an elite point guard, but he likely won’t make the cut.

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