The NBA Lockout is just underway, but it is looking like it will take a very long time before it comes to an end. It is widely speculated that there will at least be a shortened season, with a real possibility of no games being played. This is due to the broken business system used by the NBA, which is resulting in the owners wanting a complete overhaul.
This lockout could result in players missing an entire season of their career. One player, Deron Williams, has already come out and said that he will be heading to play in Turkey while the lockout is going on in the NBA. It is a very intelligent choice by Williams, and other players in the NBA should be quick to follow his example.
Here are a few reasons why:
It is a perfect way to stay in basketball shape
The best way to maintain the level of fitness for playing professional basketball is to play professional basketball. European leagues feature many talented players and also many former American college players. The talent level is not that of the NBA, but it is better than training individually or scrimmaging with other players.
This would be a great choice for any player because when the lockout ends they would have to return to their NBA team. This makes the move to Europe temporary, and players would not have to worry about losing their NBA opportunities.
It is a way to make money during the lockout
NBA players have been warned about this impending lockout for two years. They were told to save their money, but it is hard to believe that all of them took this advice. There are countless stories of NBA players who went bankrupt after or even during their careers. Paychecks for players under contract continue to be sent out until November 15th, but after that the players won’t be receiving any more checks.
For the average person, it is hard to believe that someone could lose millions of dollars, but it happens all the time. If a player has made poor financial decisions, they would be able to make a couple million dollars playing in Europe.
European fans love notable American players who go to play there, as seen with Allen Iverson, and this would result in a decent contract for any player. It is not the money they would earn in an NBA season, but it is definitely better than no money.
Free agents/Rookies need a place to play
This can be included in the previous point, as current NBA free agents (and also undrafted free agents) are not receiving any paychecks this offseason. This also includes rookies, who are not receiving any money. Those who did not get a college degree, which is nearly all of them, do not have many job possibilities outside of basketball. That is because their job is basketball, which is why it makes perfect sense to go play in Europe.
The move to Europe for free agents could be temporary, or even become a permanent move. Drafted rookies would obviously go back to their teams after the lockout, but those who were undrafted might find that they enjoy playing in Europe. Many could become fan favorites and find that they will be much more liked in Europe than they would by NBA crowds.
During a recent ESPN interview, Deron Williams hinted at the possibility that other players would join him in Europe, so it will be interesting to see if this is actually true.
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* – Deron Williams photo credit: MJB Sports Network
