By Kevin Green–
Lebron James sold the second most jerseys in China last year, the home of recently retired Yao Ming. If Kobe decides to take his talents to Italy, what will happen to Miami’s and its trio, which includes Lebron? Will Lebron follow suit and head overseas to become a global icon? How do Mikhail Prokhorov, owner of the New Jersey Nets and his minority partner Jay-Z feel about their star point guard Deron Williams and his decision to play in Turkey? Will Boston’s “Big Three” all vacation for the year?
Asked if he thinks there will be a NBA season this year, senior Tom Casey replied, “I doubt it. The games are supposed to start later this month.” Casey believes, like many others, the NBA season is lost for the year.
According to NicK Buth, “It’s sad. Several of the players and teams are getting older, like Kobe [Bryant] and the Boston Celtics.”
Unlike baseball, basketball is a fast-paced sport. Age is a factor in a player’s “court-speed” and leaping abilities. Unfortunately, labor negotiations look to run into basketball’s regular season this year, which means a year cut from players’ careers.
Dirk Nowitzki is German and would love to play in his homeland. Kobe’s Laker teammate Pau Gasol and his brother Marc are from Spain. Each brother earned a silver medal in the 2008 Olympics. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s 2009 1st-round draft pick, Ricky Rubio, is already playing professionally in Spain. His contract with the Timberwolves had him entering the NBA this season.
Bologna, a member of the Italian pro league has offered Kobe Bryant an estimated $3 million for 10-games. Andrew Dampf at HuffingtonPost.com writes, “Kobe demonstrated again overnight that he wants to return to Italy… Bologna would need to have the deal signed by the end of this week to register Bryant before its opening game with Roma on Sunday.”
The Los Angeles Times reported that current New Jersey Net point guard Deron Williams “has agreed in principle to a contract with Turkish team Besiktas, the same team Allen Iverson played on last season.” It’s easy to see why fans are preparing for the worst.
Currently, soccer is the global game of choice. However with the possibility of a heavy dose of American superstars, the collective international eye is on the National Basketball Association and its dealings. Major League Baseball sanctions the World Baseball Classic every year, although currently there is no talk of a World Cup style tournament for basketball.
It will be interesting to follow basketball in the coming weeks. No league is unfamiliar with work stoppages, the last ones being in 2011 (NFL), 2004 (NHL), 1981 (MLB), and 1998 (NBA) respectively. In that year basketball’s season didn’t start until early February. Kobe’s reported deal is for 40 days, expiring November 16th. Will fans even return if there is a season to salvage though? Thank goodness the Chicago Bears are playing every Sunday or this would be a bad time to be a sports fan.
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