Tables turning on NBA's relationship with Europe

i guess it could. that doesn't mean will won't be able to find a PG for the future. we may not ever need a young PG with the frontcourt we have now. we also have Head...


i wouldn't worry over this.

 

The bigger threat to the NBA is their snubbing of high school kids.

What if the top five 18 yr olds sign 7 year deals to play in Europe each year since they aren't eligible for the NBA?

 

Never happen. No way.

 

Why would they? If they have the talent, they can make plenty of money in college, while enjoying being in their own country. As said before, it'll never happen.

 

American teenagers going to Europe to play is a bit complicated. Without going into detail, the cultural issues that affect Euro players coming here are even worse for an American teenager going over there. For example, most Euros have an idea of what it's like in America. Most Americans have no clue about living in Spain, Russia or Israel. Take my word for: It ain't like here.

The gross pay vs. net pay, extra perks, agent commissions, buyout issues and the ability to constantly renegotiate contracts really give the Euro teams the upper hand. I agree with the writer that Euro players may not be worth more than a 2nd round draft pick. If basketball revenues keep climbing over there, more teams will start flashing money to keep their talent at home.

The next CBA will have probably changes to deal with this looming problem. Maybe the NBA and the union will make a tweak or two ahead of time.

 

Very interesting reading. The NBA needs to start up some franchises over there: London, Paris, Madrid, Rome. If they don't then the Euro League will start competing hard for the players.

As for Vassilis Spanoulis - this kind of already happened. He signed a 3-4 year deal with his home country team Panathinaikos for like $700,000 a year. If it is like the article said, that is Net so more like 1.4M in an NBA contract. His buyout is only $400,000 so it is not higher than the NBA allowed buyout (500,000) so that is good.

If he plays well next year I think he is going to require a contract around 1M-1.5M and an assurance of playing time. Next year we are only assured of having 1 PG - Sura. I tihnk he can slide in and get 10-15 minutes at least.

 

David Stern would disagree.

 

It is my understanding that because V-Span was a 2nd round pick we can offer him any amount of money we want as long as it is with in the our salery cap. For instance we could have given him the intire MLE had we wanted.

I think only 1st rounders are slotted into saleries.

 

I'm happy with him staying over seas for 1 more year. His buyout next year is 400k and we can contribute 500k to a buyout so chances are good he will be here next year.

 

And let's not forget they can drink legally there as well.

 

Ya you're right. I think this is gonna be a re-occuring problem for the NBA. The Magic got completely burned this draft and I know I was very disappointed to hear Spanoullis wasn't coming over.

I don't think it's fair for NBA teams to draft a guy like Vasquez, have to guarantee him a contract worth millions, yet there is no guarantee for them. I think a player taken in the 1st round should have more of a committment to the team that has a big committment to them.

 

The NBA and the Euroleagues need to sign a "peace treaty" that protects the interests of both sides. The problem is they would have to come to an agreement on what is fair for both sides. That may not be possible.

 

They already have it, to a degree. Drafting a player does not break a foreign pro from his contract, or v.v. FIBA has done a good job of mediating contract disputes.

The last thing I'd want to see is other countries "claiming rights" to a national and denying them freedom to play here. Yao's situation is bad enough - you don't think France would hold on to Parker is milk him for all he's worth? Germany with Dirk? Let the players decide where they want to be.

Evan

 

What I meant was something specific to protect the NBA's interest when players are drafted BEFORE they sign contracts with Euro teams when they declare for the NBA draft before age 22. For players that automatically come eligible at age 22, you can't do anything about them because they don't necessarily ask to be drafted.

 

or go to college for one year, and be in the NBA at 19.

 

I can't speak for Russia or Israel, but the quality of life in an average Spanish city is no better or worse than the quality of life in an average US city. Besides, they have better food and hotter women

 

We can debate either of your points , but it isn't a matter of "quality of life". It's a plain matter of culture and language shock. It's different over there, not necessarily worse. I've been to Spain and loved it, but then again, I only stayed a few days and I'm not a raw teenager just out of high school. I loved the local dishes, but many picky American teenagers wouldn't adapt to the local cuisine very well when they are used to American junk food.

I don't want to beat this to death, but I (and others I know) have lived overseas for a period of time. Sometimes very mature people just can't handle it. They miss momma's apple pie, watching the NFL on Sundays, going to Blockbuster, the Blue Light Specials or whatever and are miserable and unfocused. Don't dismiss this if you haven't done it. This is why I doubt a rush of teenager basketball players to Europe will ever happen. For some players in their mid-20s who realize they can't make the NBA and must make a living for themselves, this already happens.