14. Are today’s college players better or worse prepared to play in the NBA than before?

I think they’re less well prepared. They feel that because they have a certain amount of skill, that’s all it takes for them to be successful. Then they get on the court and realize it’s a whole different story. Certainly they are less well prepared mentally. Basketball is a thinking person’s game. You have to have the right attitude in order to succeed.

15. How much of this is due to players entering the NBA before they finish college?

It’s not a question of age, or maturity - age is not a criterion for thinking skills. Good habits need to be instilled at an early age. If you’re a hothead, you’ll probably always be a hothead. If you take bad shots in high school, you’ll probably take bad shots in college and the pros. The players who can adapt, who can recognize what they need to do to improve mentally as well as physically, are the ones who will succeed. Unfortunately, few players seem to want to adapt in that way.