Players Going Abroad a Threat to NBA?

During this current NBA offseason, free agents have been snatched up left and right. There's nothing new about this. Some have even taken offers from to play from outside the continental 48 states. Again, in sports, that's not new. But even with this news being somewhat stale, it's anticipation that's driving the bus this time around.

Former Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Childress signed with Greek powerhouse Olympiakos Piraeus (3 yrs/$20 million), while backup point guard Earl Boykins, who spent 10 years in the Association, was picked up by Virtus Bologna of Italy (1 yr/$3.5 million). Another backup point, Carlos Arroyo, is planning on playing in Isreal next season after Maccabi Tel-Aviv inked him to a three-year deal.

The "defections" of these three mid-time players, along with other mids (including Bostjan Nachbar, Nenad Krstic, and Primoz Brezec), were the start of an uneasy feeling in the pit of the NBA-lover's stomach. The problem became indigestion-like after musings from two of the game's biggest stars, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, about their possible interest in accepting offers from Euro teams that could go as high as $50 million per season.

But is this really something to get anxious about? Could the top players from the professional ranks just slide across the pond to dabble in the European game for a year or two? What kind of threat is this league to Commissioner David Stern, who has openly stated that he wants to build a European division of the NBA?

Like I said before, this isn't humungous news. American players have been going overseas for years in several sports. Mostly, these players are aging stars who have fallen from superstardom or ones that decided that their best chance to earn a living playing was in that market. Needless to say, Childress, Boykins, and Arroyo would do fine over here, but the amount of extra green in their pockets is a big incentive.

With respect to the legitimacy of the threat, you can make some claims to being a bit skittish. The first thing to note is that it doesn't appear this organization is looking to overtake the NBA and become the world source for basketball. The main goals for these moves are publicity, making some coin, and winning their own championships. While the NBA only covers one country, the European League is already an intercontinental affair. Other attempts at challenging the powers that be in sports (i.e. the ABA and the USFL) have been thwarted because these leagues were battling for supremacy on common turf.

Another possible twitch could flare up from the fact that foreign players have been proved worthy of not only playing up to NBA-caliber, but superstardom themselves. Names such as Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, and Pau Gasol are synonymous with the League's brand. Most of the foreign-born players have come from established organizations that have been in business for decades now. In other words, this isn't your garden variety startup league that has absolutely no fanbase or proven track record.

Don't forget the fact that when you're talking about Europe, you're opening up a new set of major cities to explore. The NBA pretty much has stock in the major cities of the U.S., meaning that if any starter league wants to provide a brand for itself, it will probably have to make use of second or third-tier cities. There are areas of Europe that would be considered a notch below the major hubs, as well (i.e. Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Berlin, and Moscow).

The question is, which would you prefer? Louisville, KY or Milan, Italy? Norfolk, VA or Lyon, France? Birmingham, AL or Munich, Germany? No offense to those former choices, but I wouldn't be surprised if any hoopster considering those options went with the latter choice each time.

However, with all of the plusses to making a move of this magnitude and being able to brand yourself to a whole new continent, there are some drawbacks. Not having as much access to family, huge (maybe unachievable) expectations, and playing against lesser competition on the whole could dampen the experience. Plus, there is that minus of not competing for the Larry O'Brien trophy in June. Other than being an Olympic champion, the Euroleague crown doesn't carry as much weight as being an NBA champion (just like an MLS title doesn't have any weight when compared to soccer's Euroleague).

In the end, with all the opportunities of life in Europe and an amount of money a modest-two level house couldn't hold, I don't believe this will be a big concern. I don't see Kobe, or LeBron, or any emerging star passing up a chance to be known as kings of the best basketball league in the world for a two or three-year vacation.

However, if they want to spend six figures on, I don't know, a towelboy or something for a couple of years, let me know. I think I would make a great addition to your organization.

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