Mayo drama is proof NBA age limit isn't protection for prospects

The O.J. Mayo saga has dominated headlines this week and by extension brought the NBA's age limit under attack. One argument made by my colleague Gregg Doyel is that forcing elite prospects into college for a one-year pit stop invites problems regarding agents prematurely investing in players.

And he's correct.

It's a recipe for probation.

Going straight to the NBA didn't hinder Dwight Howard much, did it? (Getty Images)

But what the Mayo story has also done is provide an opportunity to again address the age limit in specific terms, which is something for which I'm thankful because I love addressing the age limit in specific terms. Doing so gives me a chance to point out how the stupid rule was always stupid -- just a tool designed to help the NBA with little regard for players or college basketball, just a tool that perpetuated the myth that somehow all these crazy high school prospects jumping straight to the NBA needed to be saved from themselves before they up and ruined their lives.

Please.

No theory could be further from the truth.

The reality of the straight-to-the-pros revolution that began in 1995 with Kevin Garnett and ended in 2005 when the NBA halted it is that there is no group of prospects that have been more successful at the NBA level than the ones who declared for the draft after their senior years of high school. And I mean no group of prospects. It's not even close. Just look at this year's MVP voting for proof.

1. Kobe Bryant (no college)

2. Chris Paul (college)

3. Kevin Garnett (no college)

4. LeBron James (no college)

5. Dwight Howard (no college)

6. Amare Stoudemire (no college)