money in europe
August 10th 2008 04:12
It's now becoming clear that there is money in europe. Josh Childress spurned Atlanta to play in Greece in spite of the fact he is a big contributor in an NBA team that just went to the playoffs, taking the eventual champion, Boston, to seven games. Reportedly, Childress will receive $20 million after tax over three years playing for Olympiakos.
Not long after, Orlando point guard Carlos Arroyo signed with Israel powerhouse, Maccabi. Other players such as Nenad Kristic have also opted to go to Europe, though in his case it is a return to where he came from.
The answer LeBron James gave, confirming that he would think about playing in Europe for $50 million a season, is not brash or unappreciative for the opportunity he has to play in the best league in the world, it is common sense. $50 million is alot of money.
Commissioner David Stern's vision of teams playing out of London, Moscow and Barcelona among others is not necessarily about sharing the NBA with the rest of the world. It is about getting a handle on the world's basketballing talent before the NBA loses their most valuable commodity, the players, to the salary-cap free excess of Euroleague teams.
The thing is, its not about playing for the best league or the best money. The two are intertwined. Once the money starts appearing elsewhere in higher quantities the players go, it's as simple as that. Therefore it appears there is going to be a transition period where players either decide to stay or go, but eventually the different continents' leagues will be of equal standards, only one will pay more money than others depending on economic factors and the differing salary cap rules of each league.
Not long after, Orlando point guard Carlos Arroyo signed with Israel powerhouse, Maccabi. Other players such as Nenad Kristic have also opted to go to Europe, though in his case it is a return to where he came from.
The answer LeBron James gave, confirming that he would think about playing in Europe for $50 million a season, is not brash or unappreciative for the opportunity he has to play in the best league in the world, it is common sense. $50 million is alot of money.
Commissioner David Stern's vision of teams playing out of London, Moscow and Barcelona among others is not necessarily about sharing the NBA with the rest of the world. It is about getting a handle on the world's basketballing talent before the NBA loses their most valuable commodity, the players, to the salary-cap free excess of Euroleague teams.
The thing is, its not about playing for the best league or the best money. The two are intertwined. Once the money starts appearing elsewhere in higher quantities the players go, it's as simple as that. Therefore it appears there is going to be a transition period where players either decide to stay or go, but eventually the different continents' leagues will be of equal standards, only one will pay more money than others depending on economic factors and the differing salary cap rules of each league.
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