LOS ANGELES, CA — Recently sat down with Five-time NBA All-Star, champion and game changer who’s efforts transformed the entire landscape for NBA players today. Many players from Magic Johnson, to Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Lebron James, Steph Curry, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Edwards and a host of others can thank Spencer Haywood. The current titled “One And Done Rule” should be called the Spencer Haywood rule. Haywood boldly took on the NBA all the way to the Supreme Court due to the lack of opportunity to survive financially in 1971.
Under this rule, Haywood would not be able to play in the NBA until his college class graduated.
He and his attorney alleged that the league was violating monopoly laws. The NBA countered by using the NCAA as a mandatory step for all players looking to make the jump to the next level.
The Supreme Court that included the great Thurgood Marshall, ruled in favor of the plaintiff by 9-0, “irreparable injury as a substantial part of his playing career will have dissipated. His physical condition, skills and coordination will deteriorate from the lack of high-level competition. The public acceptance of him as a superstar will diminish, to the detriment of his career. His self-esteem and his pride will have been hurt and a great injustice will be committed.“
Haywood also spoke about his interaction with Lebron James and plans with the late great Kobe Bryant regarding Haywood’s life story.
The story of this living legend must be told, a man of great character, integrity and determination as the NBA must recognize this man by changing the rule name to the “Spencer Haywood Rule” immediately.
