Lebron James is shown playing Basketball on prime time and the sports world goes crazy. Are these kids being exploited? What about tennis/gymnastics/or typically "white" sports. No one complains or shouts "EXPLOITATION" about them.

what do you folks think.

Too bad for us that there is nothing more interesting in the world of sports.

It's a bad idea, but I don't think the powers that be care.

gr8ful - obviously you don't remember Jennifer Capriati when she first hit the tennis scene.... or Tracy Austin.

You don't hear as much about it because it's only tennis....

I don't think it's exploitation. I think people want to be able to say "I saw him when he was just 16". The kid's supposed to be the next Magic - I missed the game, so I really don't know. Everyone loves seeing great talent.

TCJ, were there shouts of exploitation then too? I tend to not really follow tennis much, but it seems that whenever these young white kids do well in tennis, gymnastics, ick skating it is OK, but this talented young man, or is it the media, is causing somewhat of a stir.

The whole rise and fall (and subsequent rise again) of Capriati was well documented in the late 80s.. if there was an ESPN Outside the Lines-type of show on the air then, it would have been huge news. As it was, it just got exposure on the tabloids and occasional talk show-type of attention.

Jennifer Capriati won her first professional tennis event at 13 and immediately people began questioning her parents about whether or not they were doing the right thing for her.. she eventually "burned out" on tennis just a couple of years later and, in her most inglorious moment, was found in a hotel room with a bunch of other people smoking pot. Most blamed how she was thrust into the spotlight so early and that her parents had no regard for her well being and just wanted to line their own pockets with their winnings.

Now, she's back as a top 10 player in the world after, basically, just growing up.

The biggest difference is Capriati, Austin and others were allowed to turn professional even though they were still in HS. James is playing in high school games that are being aired...a bit ridiculous if you ask me.....