In 2004, the NBA ended the prep-to-pro era by requiring draft entrants to be at least 19 years old and one year removed from college. This shift ushered in the "one-and-done" era, in which top prospects play in the college ranks for one year—merely out of necessity—before declaring for the draft. The one-and-done system looks like it may be on its way out, but it's here for now, and it's come under significant scrutiny of late.
Add Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant to the list of the rule's opponents. Durant voiced his perspective in an interview with Jonathan Abrams of Bleacher Report.
"Nowadays, these coaches are just like daycare owners," Durant said. "They're like, We're just going to get these guys for a year and we're not going to really coach them, because I know they're going to be out the next year. That's not how basketball's supposed to played. That's not how you're supposed to be coached. You can't teach the game like that."
Durant played one year at Texas before declaring for the 2007 draft, in which the Seattle SuperSonics selected him No. 2 (behind only Greg Oden). Durant said he was fortunate because Rick Barnes, his coach at Texas and the current coach at Tennessee, actually coached him.
"I didn't know what a pick-and-roll coverage was," Durant said. "I didn't really know how to work on my game individually and take it seriously. I learned all that stuff from Rick Barnes. It was key for me, because I was always just a kid enjoying [playing] ball. I didn't really think it would be just a job. That transition from being a high school player and working my way to be a pro, I learned a lot in that year. Some kids need that."
Durant added that he's thankful Barnes didn't baby him.
"I'm so grateful," Durant said. "I didn't realize it back then. Obviously, it was tough. But now, I realize that all that stuff was very, very important for me and my growth as a player, and if you have a good coach and a good staff, that's vital for you."
Durant has always been transparent but he's been especially vocal of late. In a recent sitdown with Bill Simmons of The Ringer, Durant called out the "blog boys" who overconfidently write about basketball without knowing the game.
