Question
This opinion piece was written by Fred Bowen, an author who has written 21 sports books for kids.
The NCAA basketball Final Fours will be played this weekend, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs are just around the corner.
Kids are thinking about hoops. So let's look at an old sports question: Which is better, pro basketball or the college game?
Some folks like the pros, while others prefer college hoops. Just like some kids like chocolate ice cream and others always order vanilla.
But let's get something out of the way. The NBA clearly has better players. It's the same with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). I think it's silly when fans argue that some dominant college team could beat a professional team.
No way! Even the best college team has only two, three or maybe four players who go on to play in the pros. Every player on an NBA or WNBA team is a pro player. Even the worst pro team would beat the best college team.
But the best players do not always make the most exciting game. One of the best games I ever saw was an overtime high school field hockey game years ago that was close and hard fought.
It's the same with the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) tournament games. The tournament games are super exciting because it is win-or-go-home for each team. NBA playoff games are like that only in the final game of a seven-game series.
Similarly, college teams play fewer games during the season, and so every game is more important. NBA teams play 82 games during the regular season. Regular-season NBA games run into each other, and no single game seems that important.
I'll admit college rivalries are more intense. I can't think of a pro matchup that can equal North Carolina against Duke, or Kentucky against Louisville.
Still, pro games are more evenly matched. Pro leagues are designed to be more competitive through such things as the player draft and rules about how much teams can pay their players. So it's harder for any pro team to stay on top for a long time.
College teams such as Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina are always near the top because they can recruit the best players. Although a couple of surprises - South Carolina and Oregon - made it to the men's Final Four this year.
It's close, but I'll take the pro game. Sure I'll watch the Final Fours. But ... LeBron James, Stephen Curry, James Harden. And then there's Russell Westbrook or Elena Delle Donne.
It's always a thrill to watch the very best in action.
The opinions expressed in this text are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Newsela.
facts
The NCAA basketball Final Fours will be played this weekend, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs are just around the corner.
Kids are thinking about hoops. So let's look at an old sports question: Which is better, pro basketball or the college game?
Some folks like the pros, while others prefer college hoops. Just like some kids like chocolate ice cream and others always order vanilla.
But let's get something out of the way. The NBA clearly has better players. It's the same with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). I think it's silly when fans argue that some dominant college team could beat a professional team.
No way! Even the best college team has only two, three or maybe four players who go on to play in the pros. Every player on an NBA or WNBA team is a pro player. Even the worst pro team would beat the best college team.
But the best players do not always make the most exciting game. One of the best games I ever saw was an overtime high school field hockey game years ago that was close and hard fought.
It's the same with the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) tournament games. The tournament games are super exciting because it is win-or-go-home for each team. NBA playoff games are like that only in the final game of a seven-game series.
Similarly, college teams play fewer games during the season, and so every game is more important. NBA teams play 82 games during the regular season. Regular-season NBA games run into each other, and no single game seems that important.
I'll admit college rivalries are more intense. I can't think of a pro matchup that can equal North Carolina against Duke, or Kentucky against Louisville.
Still, pro games are more evenly matched. Pro leagues are designed to be more competitive through such things as the player draft and rules about how much teams can pay their players. So it's harder for any pro team to stay on top for a long time.
College teams such as Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina are always near the top because they can recruit the best players. Although a couple of surprises - South Carolina and Oregon - made it to the men's Final Four this year.
It's close, but I'll take the pro game. Sure I'll watch the Final Fours. But ... LeBron James, Stephen Curry, James Harden. And then there's Russell Westbrook or Elena Delle Donne.
It's always a thrill to watch the very best in action.
The opinions expressed in this text are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Newsela.
facts
Answers
GPT-4o mini
In this opinion piece, Fred Bowen discusses the differences between professional basketball and college basketball, particularly in the context of the NCAA Final Fours and the upcoming NBA playoffs. He presents various arguments for why he believes professional basketball is superior to college basketball while acknowledging the appeal of both.
### Key Points:
1. **Player Quality**: Bowen argues that the NBA and WNBA have higher quality players compared to college teams, stating that even the best college teams would struggle against professional teams. He emphasizes that every player in the pros is a professional athlete, whereas most college teams have only a few players who eventually go on to play professionally.
2. **Excitement Factor**: He highlights that while the skill level in professional basketball is higher, the intensity of college games, especially in the NCAA tournament, often leads to more thrilling moments because it's a win-or-go-home scenario. This urgency can create more exciting and dramatic games.
3. **Game Importance**: The fewer games in the college basketball season contribute to each game holding more significance, in contrast to the lengthy NBA regular season. With NBA teams playing 82 games, the regular season can feel less impactful, as many games blend together.
4. **Rivalries and Fan Engagement**: Bowen acknowledges that college basketball rivalries are more intense and storied than professional matchups, with examples like North Carolina vs. Duke and Kentucky vs. Louisville standing out as particularly notable rivalries.
5. **Competitive Balance**: He notes that the professional leagues have mechanisms in place, such as the player draft and salary cap regulations, that promote competitive balance, making it difficult for a single team to dominate for long periods. Conversely, some college teams consistently recruit the best players, leading to repeated success.
6. **Personal Preference**: Ultimately, Bowen expresses his preference for the professional game, citing his excitement over watching top players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and others. He appreciates the skill and talent on display at the professional level.
In conclusion, while Bowen appreciates both forms of the game, he clearly favors the professional leagues for their sheer talent and competitive structure, even though he enjoys the unique thrills of college basketball, especially during critical tournament moments.
### Key Points:
1. **Player Quality**: Bowen argues that the NBA and WNBA have higher quality players compared to college teams, stating that even the best college teams would struggle against professional teams. He emphasizes that every player in the pros is a professional athlete, whereas most college teams have only a few players who eventually go on to play professionally.
2. **Excitement Factor**: He highlights that while the skill level in professional basketball is higher, the intensity of college games, especially in the NCAA tournament, often leads to more thrilling moments because it's a win-or-go-home scenario. This urgency can create more exciting and dramatic games.
3. **Game Importance**: The fewer games in the college basketball season contribute to each game holding more significance, in contrast to the lengthy NBA regular season. With NBA teams playing 82 games, the regular season can feel less impactful, as many games blend together.
4. **Rivalries and Fan Engagement**: Bowen acknowledges that college basketball rivalries are more intense and storied than professional matchups, with examples like North Carolina vs. Duke and Kentucky vs. Louisville standing out as particularly notable rivalries.
5. **Competitive Balance**: He notes that the professional leagues have mechanisms in place, such as the player draft and salary cap regulations, that promote competitive balance, making it difficult for a single team to dominate for long periods. Conversely, some college teams consistently recruit the best players, leading to repeated success.
6. **Personal Preference**: Ultimately, Bowen expresses his preference for the professional game, citing his excitement over watching top players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and others. He appreciates the skill and talent on display at the professional level.
In conclusion, while Bowen appreciates both forms of the game, he clearly favors the professional leagues for their sheer talent and competitive structure, even though he enjoys the unique thrills of college basketball, especially during critical tournament moments.