Many NBA fans never thought about the possibility of NBA players playing in Europe during the lockout until Deron Williams brought up the idea last month. Now it is an idea that is becoming a reality among many NBA players.
Williams was the first player to come out publicly and talk about playing in Europe. He spoke about going to play for the Turkish team Besiktas, a team that is now in talks with other players including Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant. When Williams mentioned his intention to go play in Turkey, he said that many other players were considering a (temporary) move to Europe.
Yesterday, it was reported that Ron Artest, if that is still his name, is going to play in Britain during the lockout. Many NBA fans, including myself, may have never known that Britain even had a basketball league. Some may question Artest’s (or World Peace’s) decision to play in Europe. However, the real question is “why not”? These men are basketball players, and that is what they want to do.
These players have a unique opportunity that other professional athletes, besides maybe baseball players, are not given. They can go live and play their sport in Europe, which will only be for a short period of time. Instead of sitting at home, or playing pickup games, they are able to play professional basketball and experience life in a different country. Not to mention, the players will be adored by the European fans. Take Allen Iverson for example, who went to the Turkish team Besiktas in 2010. He was a washed up NBA player, but the Turkish fans were excited to have him.
The fact that European basketball fans adore nearly any big name NBA player makes it a great idea for European teams to sign NBA players. This will greatly increase popularity for a team, while also increasing profits. The move will have to be done by a top-notch team as most NBA players will demand a large amount of money to play in Europe. However, most teams in Europe, including Besiktas, get money from sponsors, so the contracts should not be too much of a problem.
The only negative for a European team is the fact that all the NBA players currently under contract in the NBA would have to return immediately following the end of the lockout; but the good thing there is that the lockout is not looking like it will end any time soon. That also has a direct correlation to why many players are considering playing in Europe. Few would actually make the move if they knew the lockout was going to end soon and a full NBA season would be played.
Even if some of the NBA season is salvaged, the earliest it would start would be in either January or February of next year. This leaves plenty of time for the NBA players to make an impact on their European teams. These teams already have their current roster and would only take on at most two NBA players. So even if the NBA players had to depart before seasons end, it is not like the whole team is dismantled.
Dwyane Wade announced that he is looking into playing overseas during the lockout, and many other players will likely come out and follow his path. It will be interesting to see how NBA owners react to the players’ moves overseas. It might lead to them trying to draw up a new CBA quickly, or it may have no impact at all. Either way it will be something that few owners, of any sport, have ever had to deal with before.
About Steve Kubitza
