Could there be anything better for the NBA ?
The more NBA players in Europe the better. The movement of players is taking away the stigma and fear that younger players perceive when they are asked to play in Europe before signing an NBA contract. Knowing that they will be competing against Josh Childress, Earl Boykins, Carlos Arroyo, et al, and getting a chance to get real minutes, AND make good money is a win for everyone.
I know a lot of people think a team that loses a player could get really hurt by the move. In reality, if a team truly has a good handle on your skill level and ability to contribute to the team, they will pay to that level. If they arent sure, then the player going to Europe is a huge win. The player gets paid, but more importantly, the team gets to further evaluate the player in a high pressure situation.
High pressure ? Absolutely. When you are the highest paid American player on your team overseas, you better be a star that produces, on a team that wins. If as a player, you improve your game (and the 2 a day practices over there give you that opportunity), then you can come back to the states after a shorter season and your value will have improved. If you are a player that went over to be the star and didnt star... Well, you probably will have a long career in another country.
From the NBA team's perspective, not only do we get additional evaluation time, but we still retain the same rights we had the day before you left, and I dont want to speak for any other team, but the hardest part of a player leaving is his going to a team you compete with and having to see him and read about it all the time. When a player defects overseas and you still hold the same rights, its not nearly that bad.
And one last question thats been getting asked a lot. What about a guy getting far more overseas than he could get paid in the NBA ? Yes, yes, yes. Nothing better than competition for the NBA.
With the exchange rate, 25mm a year paid in Euros is the equivalent of about 12mm paid in Euros just a few years ago. So NBA players look like bargains. If we lose a few players, thats not a bad thing. in fact a couple All Stars going over there is a GREAT GREAT thing.
Let me explain why. Lets say for the sake of example a couple players got 25mm, 50mm or whatever a year pay and they play on teams that just dominate. They rip apart every team they face. What happens next ? People wonder who the best teams in the world are. When that discussion becomes serious, the NBA and those winning overseas teams get paid.
European Soccer has done a phenomenal job of inventing tournaments that drive huge revenues and TV dollars. This would allow the NBA to do the same thing. Take a Christmas break, or do it in the summer , where the top 6 records in the league play the top 6 teams over there , with the revenues from the event being split primarily among the participant teams rather than equally among all NBA teams. Not only would that be a great revenue source for all the teams involved, but it would create a huge economic incentive for the other 24NBA teams and all overseas team to become top tier teams.
Then of course we could create our own World Cup type tournament every 4 years.
ALl of this could open the door to create more NBA owned competition. I'm not saying it would be easy or automatic. Quite a few parties that dont always see eye to eye would have to come to agreement, But the timing for all of that is right and its an amazing opportunity for players, leagues and teams alike.
Who would have ever thunk that the combination of Josh and the drop in the dollar could create such a wonderful opportunity.
From the NBA to Europe ?
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(Page 1)3. The migration of NBA players-and stars- to Europe is probably more effective than the EA Europe Live Tour. My opinion is based mostly on audience and attendance figures. The top competition in European basketball (Euroleague) is ailing from lack of interest, at least in consistent and profitable figures, in Spain (Europe's top basketball market). For example: the 16-team round of this season, that faced Olympiacos (Greece) vs Real Madrid (Spain) was watched by 150.000 viewers (16% share of total TV audiences at the same time); FC Barcelona (Spain) vs CSKA Moscow was 128.000 (7,5% share)...this on a 45 million people country, being basketball the second most followed sport, with probably the most sought-after teams playing.
Certainly, the upcoming season with proven NBA-caliber players on roster promises to be more exciting and spectacular (which is the major deficiency of European basketball). With time, that situation can foster the establishment of a competition with huge economic benefits and pride at stake. I sure look forward to it!
Posted at 11:25PM on Aug 7th 2008 by R. Baez
4. Mark,
I agree with your logic for the most part. NBA players would expand the value of the league by promoting it over in Europe, and it is a great opportunity for players to advance their skills.
But what if Dirk Nowitzki defected to go over and play for a team closer to home in Germany. Although it's still nice to hold Bird rights, does it matter if there's a real chance the player may never come back? Let alone the fact that it messes up competitiveness of your own team in Dallas. You say it's alright for an All-Star to head to Europe...but what if it were your own star and not someone else's?
The interest level of basketball in Europe far exceeds the (by comparison) interest level of soccer here in the USA. It's not impossible that this could become a real problem someday, though I wouldn't expect it for at least another decade.
It's probably a good thing there is a salary cap; I'm not sure owners like contemplating the idea of actually paying a superstar $50 million per year to match offers the players could receive in Europe. As it is now, they have a valid and reasonable excuse in place.
Posted at 11:26PM on Aug 7th 2008 by Jeremy
5. Excellent take, Mark. I think most of your points are well-taken.
I think there's another tangible benefit. As of right now, the feeder system of young, inner-city kids to the NBA is atrocious. Even if these guys go to college for a year or two, they are generally woefully underprepared for college studies (having generally been barely passing rudimentary high school courses). As a result they are essentially participating in an educational chirade... all to keep alive the dream of playing NBA ball.
What would be really beneficial is if these young kids at age 14-16, or even earlier, were bought and developed by European teams, a la european soccer. It would be a win-win for everyone involved. The players' families would receive money far earlier in the process. The players from age 12, 14, or 16 would be at real basketball academies, learning fundamentals and having true basketball training rather than a hodgepode of AAU and High School coaches.
Lastly, the maturation process would be so much improved. Rather than continue a poor existence here in the United States, with agents and others hoping to make a buck off them while they play basketball and hang out with a negative element, the young players would be overseas, with round-the-clock supervision, actual tutors, and learning about new languages and cultures.
How many poor American high school students can find European countries on a map? Not many, I'm afraid.
This would be a godsend both to the quality of basketball and, mor importantly, to poor American youths currently living in an inadequate system here in the states.
Posted at 11:29PM on Aug 7th 2008 by Nick Christie
6. No rev share for this international club championship? That's the way it is in the UEFA Champions League you refer to, and it's led to the top 4 teams in each country getting so much more money that the other clubs have no chance to catch up, no chance to get into the Champions League, so the rich just keep getting richer. Is that what we want for the NBA? Would the owners and fans of the teams in a "rebuilding" phase when the tournament and money starts, and thus most likely to be left out, be happy with that? As an average American fan, I'm happy that no matter how bad my team is right now, there's always a chance they could be in the finals in a couple years, I'm not ready to move to a European system where there's no chance of that. An international tournament is a great idea, but let's find a way to keep the parity.
Hmmm.... the more I think about ways to craft a tournament that melds the American parity system with the European rich-get-richer system the more my head hurts. This could be tough.
7. Say Hey Mark,
Absolutely, However, It seems that NBA players have NO DESIRE to improve their Game. Personally, I find it UNBELIEVABLE, that Professional Ball Players can have 50-60%FreeThrow ( I WOULD BE EMBARRASED, myself. ) I am NOT kidding, If I were to PRACTICE everyday, I would make 8/10 AT LEASTTT, without shooting a basket in 5 years I could get 5/10. AND I am 5'6".
This TRICKLES down to "points per game", EX. Shaq ( This Guy has GOTTEN away with pushing/shoving etc and and NEVER gets called ) Just like Jordan. Jordan was great, BUT, 3-4 Steps, took 40 SHOTS a game and A LOT of times would only make 12/40 shots ( YEAH, that's 24 points, BUT too many shots TOO many steps),some guys score 16 -18 Points and Miss 6/12 Free Throws - That's 24 POINTS instead of 16, No Blocking, Same Shot since they were 5 years OLD, ALL NBA players should be at 70% at least or go to EUROPE and PRACTICE.
HOW many games are LOST by 1-2 Points a Year ( FREE THROWS )
NBA players are IMMATURE, BUT, It goes back to college and that NONSENSE. C'mon, I went to a small college (st. peter's) these players were allowed to take CLASSES in college that they HAD in HS, so they would pass and be able to Play, among other ADVANTAGES
SIRIUSLY, If I were 7Ft tall all I NEED to do is raise my arms and I can touch the basket, and these Guys still can't shoot. What if the Basket was HIGHER, you could tell who is a REAL player, NOT just a Tall Guy with average skills OR a Shaq who doesn't get called ( How many times have I seen him PUSH a gUy outta the way and If I Tap his shoulder I get called for it. I know JKidd and The NETS LOST twice, while TWIN was getting BEAT UP by Shaq, he had FREE reign, That's the BULLSHIT.
CHANGES THE GAME, CHANGES the OUTCOME....Which is Just as bad as the REF's making BAD Calls. INSTANT REPLAY and then WE"LL see who has the BEST TEAM.
This is the problem with the NBA, Different RULES for Different Players.
This is the CREDIBILITY issue with the NBA.
That's Why? J KIDD is my TOP player, NO BULLSHIT, Heart , SOUL, Passion, DESIRE to WIN ( practice ). WINNNNNER..
Just like the 1st game I saw JKidd play for the Mavs, There was a Free Throw and just before the shot, Van Gundy was saying that the MAVS linedup wrong, VOILA, the guy MISSES and then they get the ball back, LITTLE THINGS ADD up to CHAMPIONSHIPS, That's when I knew the Mavs were done....Besides, J KIDD taking only 6-7 Shots .... HE should be Taking 16 shots a Game, He'll make 5-6 of them then 7-8 from the Fthrow line, That's 16 PPG, NOT 3. The OTHER issue there was, WAS the fact that the Other Teams caught "ON" and knew JKidd was Not going to shoot, he got Pass happy to Nowitski, I thought J Kidd Needed to take more shots.
AND IN the LAST 2 MINUTES JKIDD should be IN CONTROL and TAKING SHOTS, BOTTOM LINE, It was NOT the SAME J KIDD I have watched for years..
Posted at 7:59AM on Aug 8th 2008 by SatRadKid
9. Mark,
Excellent take. I agree that globalization could have the same benefits to basketball that it has for soccer.
I'm interested on your take on the LeBron to Greece rumor that has been floating around for a few days and I'm a little surprised you didn't touch on it.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3520860
Without the restrictions of a salary cap, LeBron could be offered as much as $50M per year, whereas the salary cap in the NBA would limit his starting contract at $20M per. I'm curious to know your opinion if a) you think he would ever take it, and b) what would something like this do to the NBA?
Posted at 8:52AM on Aug 8th 2008 by Mark
10. Mark,
How's about the NBA get REALLY ballsy, like the EPL:
- Bottom three teams don't go to the draft lottery - they get relegated to the D-League.
- Top three D-League teams get a crack in the NBA.
Posted at 9:52AM on Aug 8th 2008 by Kevin Williams
11. Completely agree on all counts. I would love to see the NBA & FIBA get together and reorganize under the FIFA model. Boston, CSKA Moscow, Olympiacos and Barcelona in a basketball Champions League group would be huge ratings. Am I wrong in thinking this is a direction David Stern actually wants to go? Was this one of his intentions when he started the global marketing campaigns in Europe & Asia?
Oh, and Mark. Please drop the bid for the Cubs and buy the Phillies. I am DYING for a World Series win, man. Come out to Philly, take in a ball game, we'll take you down to Morimoto's for some Iron Chef sushi. It'll be a good time.
Posted at 11:19AM on Aug 8th 2008 by Paul Miles
12. Next October (from 10th to 21st) follow closely the performance of three of the most dominant European basketball teams playing against NBA teams on American soil: http://www.euroleague.net/item/34171
At least, that should be interesting enough to see. I think is going to be a great opportunity to measure (to some extent) how suitable is the American-European baketball synergy.
Posted at 12:52PM on Aug 8th 2008 by R. Baez
13. Globally this is better, but better for the NBA? That I don't see. No salary cap means they can pay more. What happens should European teams start paying big money to snatch up high profile guys? You might not mind Childres or Arroyo going to Europe, but how about LeBron or Kobe? No way could that be good for the NBA. So many NBA teams have quality players not from the US too, Dirk on your own team for example. Stay at home to make more or go far away and make less?
You've got the luxary of being in a loaded Western conference, but look at how many bad teams are in the East. The NBA doesn't need to be sending good players to Europe, it needs to keep them here. Send developemental players there to get to a level where they can handle the NBA. But when you lose good players, it weakens the quality of the NBA game and competition here.
IMO this trend is a very very bad thing for the NBA.
14. Brilliant idea Mr. Cuban! I don't want the NBA to have any expansion teams in Europe, but this idea of Top 6 teams or NBA World Cup is great great great! More basketball, more revenue for the NBA and franchises, more competition, and smarter, more cultured players coaches and managers. I'd make you NBA Commissioner if I could!
Posted at 2:05PM on Aug 8th 2008 by Joel
15. Hmm... So when the NBA teams play the FIBA teams, which rules do you use? Perhaps adopt a World Series-like structure where you play by the rules of the home team? We already see NBA players adapting to FIBA rules. It'd be interesting to see FIBA teams having to quickly adapt to NBA rules.
Posted at 2:07PM on Aug 8th 2008 by RHH
16. Mark,
Excellent insight and ideas. I would love to see a bball world cup. Would love to travel somewhere cool to catch the tourney. I think it would be much more credible than the Olympics is now, because it would not pretend to be a commercial endeavor masked as something else.
I disagree with the first poster in regards to college ball. I think if the audience (us) did not have affiliations with the colleges because we went there, we would be disappointed with the quality of the play. Personally, I've lost interest in college bball and football, as when compared to professional play, it's tough to watch. I would suppose EU bball is much closer to NBA ball.
MikeY.
Posted at 2:55PM on Aug 8th 2008 by Michael A. Yonker
17. Wow Mark, I was wondering which stadium launched this topic from left field, and then I heard the Loose Cannons on LA's KLAC discussing the news that Kobe Bryant dropped the "might play in Italy if the money is right" after his contract goes to option a year from now. I can totally see why you'd encourage it, but I can't see why Kobe, at the top of his game and young enough to rewrite every NBA record if he plays as long as he stays healthy and stays healthy into his late 30s. Unless he was on the leading curve of a historical trend of European basketball eclipsing the NBA, it just doesn't make any sense.
Posted at 4:07PM on Aug 8th 2008 by Brad Hutchings
18. I love futbol and the variety of tournaments that exist beyond the confines of our continent. It would be awesome to watch elite NBA teams compete in something like that.
While I'm with you that competing teams should get the most benefit, it worries me that teams could gain a competitive advantage. I'd hate for a sox/yankees to exist in the NBA, controlling the vast majority of income.
Also I am curious about your stance that competition is good for the NBA. I don't think it would be a great thing if we lost Dirk next year. It appears that someone's salary cap will have to change, so will it be ours or theirs? The advantage of an unlimited budget has to force some changes. It would be easy to argue that soccer fans are the most devout in the world, and surely it is possible that someday soon they could devote similar energy and MONEY to their respective program.. Competition for middle-tier players is great, and I completely agree that their development and financial security is undoubtedly the best thing. However, when the Kobes and LBJs, and whoever start skipping the pond while still in their prime.. then we have a big problem. The NBA cannot become a second class league.. I hope.
ps.. good luck with the cubbies and,
josh smith?? a grizzly?? man he'd look good in diddy.
Posted at 7:15PM on Aug 8th 2008 by Aaron H
19. Its only a matter of time before Kobe goes overseas. He can make back all the cash he's lost in endorsements since his incident, and unlike a lot of American players, he's lived abroad, so the concern about homesickness is a lot less likely for the kid that grew up in Milan. When the price is right the lure of an NBA title won't be able to compete. For an extra 20 to 30 million bucks a year, one would have to check the sanity of the person turning that salary down.
I just hope David Stern doesn't make a mess of this the way he did with the One and done rule.
As far as a World Competition - Basketball can largely borrow from the Champions League model used by soccer. With 50 years of history they can take a lot from the lessons learned by soccer and tailor the methods to their sport. I'm much more of a soccer fan than a Basketball fan, but I think this can be nothing but good for the NBA. The title World Champions would truly apply under this scenario, and more than likely the NBA would find itself getting rid of the salary cap to compete. Much like soccer.
Posted at 9:18PM on Aug 8th 2008 by Colin
20. Cuban you are wrong on this. The NBA is going to become "little brother". No one thought that Budweiser would be foreigned owned either. There not going to "rip" everyone either. Not to mention the embarrassment when the best NBA teams lose. The NBA is going down and they are going down hard. The arrogance of the NBA is so similar to GM and Ford from the 80's that it is inevitable to end badly.
Posted at 10:21PM on Aug 8th 2008 by Jeffrey Showalter
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1. I am sorry but why watch European Basketball when you have hundreds of College Basketball games here in the states? I don't think European Basketball will be able to ever compete with the NBA. But you probably know more than I do.
Posted at 10:40PM on Aug 7th 2008 by Maleko