Not really. Again. Another non-American. These guys are more comfortable in their environment, and CHOOSE not to leave that comfort zone for the US. If a Japanese baseball star doesn't want to play in the MLB, it isn't because the Japanese league is gaining legs. When American star/role players are choosing the Euroleague over the NBA, then I'll raise an eye.
You may have a point but for millions of dollars more money and with the Euro at 1.55:1 dollar you'll see people who will say oh wait, I can make a lot more money over there and all bets are off. Especially if they smarten up over there and start going after NBA draftees. There is a precedent and it's the old ABA. The NBA stopped laughing when it realized the ABA considered NBA players fair game. Besides welcoming players such as Connie Hawkins, Doug Moe and Roger Brown, who had been banned from the NBA when their names were linked to college basketball scandals in the early 1960s, the new league also went after players the NBA deemed its own. When the Oakland Oaks hired Bruce Hale as coach, his son-in-law, Rick Barry, who was playing for the San Francisco Warriors, was lured across the Bay. The Warriors filed suit -— the first of many filed by both sides -— and won, forcing Barry to either play for them or sit out the 1967-68 season (he chose the latter). But Barry was cleared to play in the 1968-69 season and with him, Larry Brown at the point and Doug Moe at forward, Oakland won the 1969 title. “When they started signing people like Charlie Scott, Artis Gilmore, Jim McDaniels, Rick Mount, Dan Issel, then they [the NBA] started paying attention,” said O’Brien. “That’s when the NBA started getting a little nervous about it.” The NBA became enraged in 1969, when agent Steve Arnold, who the ABA had hired to approach underclassmen about turning pro early, convinced college superstar Spencer Haywood to forego his junior and senior years of college. The Denver Rockets signed Haywood to a three-year deal worth $450,000 (actually the contract called for $50,000 a year, with $300,000 deferred until after Haywood’s 40th birthday; many ABA teams utilized this deferred compensation plan, know as a Dolgoff Plan). The Indiana Pacers followed, signing George McGinnis after his sophomore year at Indiana. The New Jersey Nets tapped Jim Chones out of Marquette after his junior year. And the Virginia Squires signed Gervin and Erving. In 1974, Utah selected Moses Malone right out of high school. http://hoopedia.nba.com/index.php/ABA_(1967-1977)
Yeah I get that reasoning, but you also have to factor in the ABA was in the same country. I still can't see high schoolers choosing a brief stint in Europe over college. I can't see American free agents leaving the US for Europe. JCN got 5yr/25mill? I'm sure he would get something similar to that here. It's not like Europe is throwing MLE money at the likes of Ryan Bowen players. Honestly, I think it just shows the mentality of the players. They have a chance to step out of their comfort zone and compete with the best players in the world. Or they can make a hefty change and play in more comfortable conditions. I think it speaks to their passion for the game if they decide to make the leap to the NBA.
Oh I can see a high schooler do that easily. A kid who's in high school who grew up in the hood. He sees all this money waved in front of his eyes and he can sign for the NBA max of 2 million dollars or go to the the Euroleague and make millions more, then that kid is going to forgo college like Moses Malone and go for the $$$. (A big caveat in all this is that the Euroleague starts realizing that they have a big advantage in that they don't have the rookie max rule and an exchange rate advantage and thus starts paying out more money to rookies and veterans). Not every kid is gonna want to do this but someone out of high school with say an offer for $4 million over 3-4 years might take that deal. Someone like Ron Artest in high school might have taken the money and run.
I guess we'll agree to disagree. The good news for you is that you've got eternity to prove me wrong.
I can see this happening, not now but later down the road. Ironic part is high schoolers had the best chance to do that back when there wasn't an age limit, but no one ever did....All they have to do now still is wait a year jacking around in a school of their choice like Michael Beasley, then get the money later. If the NBA wants to raise the age limit another year as rumored, then this option might enter into a player's mind more, especially with an agent who wants quick money...It'd still depend on length and amount of contract, buyout clause, etc. Cuz the Euroleague isn't trying to be the NBA's farm system, they want to hold players in and not have them flake out after a year. Actually the more I'm discussing this possibility the more difficult it appears... A US player that projects into the NBA lottery will certainly take the NBA route. Does the Euroleague actually have enough advanced scouting in the US, where they know who the 20th-30th ranked player in the country is and covet him highly enough to throw a huge multi-year contract at him?
You also have to think of it from an 18 year old's POV. We're different in we look at it strictly from financial aspects: "5 million now, and more million when I get to the NBA? Sure!" Whereas in reality you have to factor in: 1) Going to a foreign country and being unable to speak the language. There's a huge and difficult adjustment period - see Yao Ming. Odds are, the top high school prospects don't speak a 2nd language. Most Euro players in the draft at least know a little bit of English. These high schoolers would be absolutely clueless, and living alone for the first time in their life. 2) College life. College girls. Being the king on campus. Don't underestimate how kids look at this. They grow up watching UNC, Duke, Kansas, UCLA play.. they want to be apart of one of those historic teams. 3) Proximity to home. Mom and Dad can't drive to Europe to watch you play. Your friends can't watch your highlights on Sportscenter every game. Or watch your games, period. 4) For the reason above, college players get more exposure. Also was the question you were asking about it. 5) Don't underestimate how many times a "Reggie Bush-OJ Mayo" case really happens. I can almost guarantee you all of the big stars have some nice pocket change since attending college. I can personally attest to it from the players at UNC.
Lots of kids go to Europe right out of high school if nothing else than for the adventure of it. Throw a job and millions of dollars on top of it and it would be very tempting for a high schooler.
nothing like living in the euro boondocks where financial stability of clubs are a daily worry and games are bent. the wealthy clubs like the cska moscows, taus, barcelonas, or panathinkoses who can afford million dollar contracts aren't going to throw money at unproven high schoolers.
The ABA then was a direct competitor, US-based, and another era. You do realise today's competition is the ABA & the NBA merged?
I'm no Ms. Cleo, but on full court press, stern said they were close to having a euro division. He said just because they dont have all the logistics and stuff worked out doesnt mean they cant tip off fully. I think in the next 5 yrs, its going to be a division there. It will be just like the west coast road trip or texas triangle. I've always wondered why those international guys were scared to come over and compete. Thats why alot come over when theyre older. I really cut a guy like dirk,yao and some of the other guys a little slack. Its hard going to another country and adapting to a different culture. Guys like dream and deke at least hit the college scene 1st.
I think these points are a bit outdated. 1) Take a language course when you get there. There are coaches who don't speak a language. Yes, it's a nuissance, but lots of people like discovering new cultures. Plus, there are American players in the Euroleagues. Plus, speaking English in Europe is NOTHING like speaking Chinese in America. 2) How about Barcelona for historic? I don't think girls will be a problem either judging by what I've heard lol. There are American colleges all over Europe if education is a must. Plus, nothing stops this guy from coming back after 3 years. He gave up the idea of college life when he decided to enter pro ball after high school. 3) Mom and Dad can be sitting in a luxury home in Rome. Believe me, if the kid is a serious NBA prospect, he will be on TV in America anyway. Not that it would matter much. 4) Again, if this is top-10 pick material, the exposure will be there. Scouts will watch him like a Hawk, brands will realize that he now appeals to a broader market (Euro+U.S.). The elements are there, just in different places. 5) I'm almost certain you don't think that US colleges can slip more $$$ under the table unnoticed that a major Euroleague team. But just to be sure, is that what you're saying? It's going to happen. Lebron thought about it his junior year in high school. All it takes is 1 high draft pick, 1 smart agent, and 1 smart euro team.
His best friend Gasol getting traded to the lakers was also a factor. Navarro made the right decision. Interesting point about the declining dollar being a factor, something that bears watching is the draft to see if guys like gallinari and batum decline to come over. Historically euros came over here because the NBA was the the major leagues of BB. Heaven help us if we start hearing players saying, why should I go to the states I can make more money playing in Europe. Don't see that happening, basketball is a minor sport in Europe, they like cycling more than BB over there for goodness sakes.
