Hey what’s going on? Just sitting here after hearing Barack Obama give his acceptance speech for the Presidential nomination. Good stuff.
In try to not get political here but I will say this. The Republicans are going to have to do A LOT very, very soon to have a chance in this presidential election.
This post is going to be about the possibility of NBA players going to Europe to pursue their professional careers.
My thoughts on this have been inspired by three things and I will break down my theories based on these three.
-High school star Brandon Jennings decides to forgo college basketball to play for an Italian team. This was spurred by two things. First, the NBA now has an age limit on when players may enter the draft. Second, he struggled to meet the minimum academic requirements to get admitted to Arizona.
He decided to avoid the hassle of getting qualified and is going to Europe to play basketball. Some are looking at him as an innovator; some are looking at him negatively.
-Former Atlanta Hawks player Josh Childress decided to not sign with an NBA team and joined a team in Greece. I will always remember him as the idiot that former worst general manager in the NBA Billy Knight took instead of Andre Iguodola or Luol Deng. Never, ever become a Hawks fan kids.
-With the recent success of the USA Olympic team in Beijing, some are now speculating that current NBA superstars like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant will look to offers from European teams in the future.
Here’s how I look at each situation.
1) Jennings never wanted to go to college. He intended to stay at Arizona one season and then go to the NBA. Those types of athletes are usually negative towards the college game. Noticed that I didn’t say that he was a negative person. Jennings is a man and has the right to do whatever he wants and if he feels that the college system isn’t something he wants to be a part of, I’m fine with that.
It’s done in so many other sports like tennis, golf, soccer, auto racing, baseball, hockey, etc. There are teenagers and young adults becoming professional athletes from 16-20. College basketball and college football are trying to hold on to the current system because it makes money. Jennings wants to make money too. You can’t fault him for that.
Furthermore, the aspect of him improving his game in Europe is a yea and nay. He will get to play against professionals out there, which is good for development, but the European teams tend to not play players unless they can help the team win immediately. Jennings will have a hard time getting on the floor while he would have been an immediate starter in Arizona and played a full season. He will get paid a nice sum of change because the Euro is strong, which brings me to point #2.
2) Childress is just going for the money and prestige and you can’t hate on that either. The Euro is very strong right now and is actually worth more than the US Dollar. Therefore, when you look at the salary of Childress in Europe, some will say that he’s taking a pay cut, but when the conversion is done, he’s making a nice penny.
He would have been a marginal bench player for a contending team and maybe started for a crappy team like Memphis, Minnesota or Oklahoma City. He’s not that good of a player. He knows he can go to Greece and be a star and get his international profile up, which brings me to point #3.
3) Of course Kobe and Lebron will consider playing in Europe for several reasons.
First, let’s just look at the money factor. There is a set limit on the salary that each player can make in the NBA. Those limits don’t exist in Europe. Either one can receive an offer to make 40 or 50 million dollars a season to play, not to mention part ownership and percentage points for things like TV ratings, marketing deals and sponsorships.
Americans tend to look at sports from a narrow scope. We like to talk about how big the Super Bowl is. It’s a big event, but the Olympics, Soccer World Cup, Rugby World Cup, Cricket World Cup and other events are much, much bigger.
There are still untapped sports markets for basketball in Africa, the Middle East, South America, Asia and even Australia. Playing in Europe makes the players more accessible to these markets and that means more exposure and money.
There is so much money out there to be made and Kobe and LeBron are smart enough to realize this.
Did you see how the rest of the world reacted when the USA men’s basketball team made appearances at the Olympics? Kobe was treated like a rock star. Even in the USA vs. China opening game, Kobe got louder cheers than Yao Ming and I saw Chinese people in Kobe's Lakers jerseys. You don’t think Kobe noticed this and took note.
Furthermore, Kobe does various camps throughout the world in the off season and has a major international profile. He also grew up in Italy and is familiar with the culture. He’s fluent in Italian and speaks other non-English languages well and will adjust well there.
Lebron is developing his profile as well. He’s been focused on making the Olympics his launching pad into the international scene. Why do you think he is the American athlete in that Coke commercial with Yao Ming that was played all throughout the Olympics?
I will say that each of them wants to make their mark in the NBA because that’s the league that everyone aspires to play in. Kobe wants to win some more titles with the Lakers and Lebron still has to win his first.
BTW, if they go to Europe, they won’t be forgotten.
I’m a huge fan of Arsenal, a football team that plays in the English Premier League. Yeah, I said football and not soccer! I can watch them play every single match live if I want to, like when they lose to crappy Fulham last week!!! They will finish fifth in the EPL this year, which is pathetic!
Anyway, I can get video highlights of all the games, receive statistics, see transactions online, order clothing and be a complete fan even though I’ve never been to England and never seen Arsenal play in person.
This is for English soccer in America. Imagine Kobe playing in a league in Italy. We would know all of the information like scores, how many points he had, we would even see highlights on ESPN.
Do I think that either one of them is going to Europe? I would lean towards no because the NBA means so much to them, but don’t dismiss the idea.
What do you readers think? Would you leave your home country to go somewhere else to make more money and increase your exposure and start a new, less challenging job?
I was going to post some more Talking Heads for you because playing their music has been my soundtrack this week and I have become a bigger fan of them.
However, since this post was about Europe, I have to represent for my fellow Frenchmen, Daft Punk. I love these guys so much. Here’s their return concert at Coachella from 2006. I recommend playing this completely while you work; it makes the time go by.
Have a good day or night or whenever you read this.
-Some amendments on my final thoughts on the Olympics.
1) I stayed up to watch the gold-medal game between the USA and Spain in men’s basketball. Props to the US for getting the win and bringing the gold home. Kobe, that was a man performance. He’s the best player on the planet and there’s no doubt about it.
Spain is legit and could have won that game. Missing Calderon was a major deal for them. However, the point guard Rubio is going to be a major player in the future, especially considering that he’s only 17. Furthermore, Rudy Fernandez is going to ball hard for Portland. One more thing, how is Navarro not on an NBA roster? He’s a solid guard.
I’m calling it right now, the top four for MVP this season will include Kobe, LeBron, Chris Paul and Dwayne Wade, in some order. Wade is going to have a monster, monster season for the Heat this year.
International basketball is back in the mainstream and that’s a good thing. I’m going to post on this more this week.
2) Congrats to the USA men’s volleyball team for their thrilling win over Brazil for the gold medal. Tremendous match and effort throughout the games considering the tragedy that took place with the family of the head coach.
3) My brother and I are making serious plans to go to the London Olympics in 2012. any one of you is down with the plan, just shoot me a holler. I’m looking at you Mr. McMahon, People’s Champion and icon of the masses, Sean Sawyer, Sager and Meggie. Let’s make it happen.
Just remember that we’re going to have to attend handball, table tennis, tons of judo, avoid diving and gymnastics and probably check out rhythmic gymnastics and women’s volleyball for my “research.”
-This weekend was solid overall. Saw some soccer action, washed the clothes and got some relaxing in.
-The undergraduates have returned to Belmont and I’m hyped. I love school and am looking so forward to going back to classes myself. I’ve missed learning, seeing my friends consistently and many other things. I’ll have a post on this topic tomorrow after orientation with the new sports administration graduate students.
-While washing my clothes, I went to Harris Teeter and flipped through some magazines. I came across a Cosmo I think with Blake Lively from Gossip Girl on the cover. I rarely look at this magazine but had some time to kill and checked it out. Wow, interesting stuff. There’s content on woman issues like breast cancer, but then the next article will be on sexual positions and how to spice up your love life. Just odd. Decent read though.
-This week, I’ve taken my nephew’s advise and ignored the ladies, which was kinda odd. I’m a social guy and I like to know what going on with people but I don’t want to be overbearing. To be honest with you, I really didn’t think about any of the women that I discuss and detail here this week at all. I’ve really just moved on and just living my life.
I did put my nephew’s ideals to the test when I saw Amber at the gym Saturday after not seeing her for about two weeks. Usually, when I see her, I stop and speak with her for a few minutes. However, when I entered the gym, I gave her a hello and walked right past her and did my workout. When I finished my lift, I was leaving and Amber said what’s up to me and we chatted some. I let her initiate the conversation and lead things.
We finished and I just said goodbye and left. I wanted to tell Amber later how it was great to see her, how great it was to see her smile and wanted to talk with her some more because I can spend everyday with her, but I haven’t spoken or called her or text messaged her since I saw her.
I’m not saying that this is the right approach or something that I would normally do, but it’s definitely different. I’ll give you an update if something happens.
-The two most poitntless things that go on during this time of year for me. Little League Baseball World Series and Preseason football. I’ve watched none of the first one and maybe 10 minutes of the second one.
-I’ve just joined a fantasy football league and I’m geeked about that.
-That’s all for Reflections. Here’s a tentative schedule of the posts schedule this week:
Monday: Why I’m hyped about returning to school Tuesday: Why I still represent for the NYC contrary to popular beliefs Wednesday: Why I’m feeling international basketball again and why its 40% possible that Kobe Bryant ends his career in Italy and Lebron James in Greece Thursday: Wildcard Friday: A proper MMA Review Saturday: Whatever I damn well please Sunday: Reflections
-I was bumping some Depeche Mode hard this weekend. Here’s some music.
The Olympics start tomorrow (or today if you’re reading this on Friday) and I’m excited about it. I love the whole Olympic experience from the opening ceremonies to watching obscure sports and everything in between. I remember my first Olympics in 1988 and seeing Carl Lewis dominate and I truly became a fan.
However, I learned to appreciate every sport from water polo to team handball.
I was talking with the People’s Champion, Sean Sawyer, today and I just started going off about all of the beefs that I have with the Americans who view the Olympics. Let me break it down…
There seems to be this general disinterest among Americans to follow sports that the US doesn’t dominate. We’ll follow swimming and gymnastics but heaven forbid if we don’t place well in archery. I really don’t care if the USA wins a competition or not, accept for basketball, which I’ll get into later.
Don’t get it twisted, I will cheer for the American athletes. However, if one of the US athletes comes in fifth place, I’m not going to get mad at them. Which brings me to point #2…
It annoys me when people put these ridiculous expectations on American athletes. I learned this directly in the 2004 Olympics when Michael Phelps “only” won six gold medals and eight overall. I actually heard people say they were disappointed in his effort.
YOU GET YOUR BUTT IN A POOL AND TRY TO WIN A GOLD MEDAL!!!!!!!!
He busted his ass and was the best swimmer in the world in six events in one short period.
That’s the other beauty/bad part of the Olympics. Its one every four years. Its not like professional sports where if you lose one year, you can just pick try again the next year. You have to train hard and hope that you can peak at this one moment unless its four more years of waiting.
I love seeing the athletes from smaller countries participating because they understand the greatness of representing your country. This is starting to sound like an anti-American article, whatever, let it be.
I understand why people are turned off by the Olympics. It’s become too corporate. The concept of an “amateur” is completely different now then its inception. Athletes are taking performance enhancing drugs, destroying the concept of fair competition. There are many others.
However, give the Olympics a fair chance.
BTW, I usually don’t try to get political on this blog, but some of you may have beef with the Olympics even being in China. I’m with you on that front, but I’m going to temper my issues with the country and just enjoy the athletics.
OK, lets have some fun. I’m going to give you a reason or two to check out each sport below with a prediction or two and maybe a video from some of the lesser acknowledged sports:
Archery: I’ve always enjoyed seeing archery or “bow and arrows” as we called it back in Brooklyn. The Americans don’t usually do well in this event. The Asian countries will dominate, especially South Korea, who will try to win the men’s individual title, men’s team, women’s individual and women’s team. Here’s some Korean archers in action:
Badminton: If you want an underrated, yet fun and actually active sport to try, give this one a chance. I’ve tried it several times and had a blast doing it. The Asian countries dominate this as well, even though the entire men’s team for the US is from Asia. There’s also a nice rivalry between China, Indonesia and South Korea. The host nation will look to win all of the events. Here’s some top rallies:
Baseball: This is the last time that this one will be in the Olympics, which is a shame. Some are saying that this and softball are being eliminated because of American domination, but that isn’t the case. The US will be lucky to medal in this event. Cuba and Japan supposedly have better team this time around. The games have been a springboard for US guys in the past like Jim Abbott and Ben Sheets to productive professional careers. The roster usually consists of minor leaguers because college kids are in school and pro ballplayers are doing their day jobs.
This time, look out for new Milwaukee Brewers farmhand Matt LaPorta who was involved in the big CC Sabathia trade earlier this year to make his presence felt. If the US gets a medal, I’m happy with that.
Basketball: This is a biggie. This is the only sport in the entire Olympics that I put on my USA hat and really, really care about getting the result.
The women’s side is actually really competitive, at least between Australia and the US. The American ladies have won the last three gold medals and nothing should change. Look out for my top-five bench player Candice Parker to do her thing.
The men’s side is a little more complicated. Team USA has made a new commitment to international basketball after some embarrassing showings in the 2004 Olympics and the last to FIBA World Championships. I like what I’m seeing, especially from the defensive end.
The US team isn’t a wrap to win this. Spain is legit with their guard play from guys like Rudy Fernandez and the Gasol brothers, especially Pau who suddenly turns into Wilt Chamberlin on the international stage. Argentina can cause major, major problems especially with Manu Ginoboli. Germany isn’t going to win a medal but Dirk can go off in any game and carry his team to a victory. Greece is ok and Russia will be decent with AK-47 and Holden at point.
Furthermore, I will be rooting some for Australia with A.J. Ogilvy (War Vanderbilt!)
But you have to imaging a team with LeBron, Carmelo, Kobe, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Dwight Howard, Dwayne Wade and others will take it home. If not, I’m not a happy fellow.
US wins gold, Spain gets silver and Argentina beats Lithuania for the Bronze.
Crap, I almost forgot China with Yao Ming. Yau is legit and will be geeked to play in his home country and Yi is solid. The problem with China is that their guard play is poor and that’s a nice description. First US game is against China in arguably the biggest sporting event EVER in that country. Looking forward to that. Check out this Nike Ad to get hyped: http://inside.nike.com/blogs/nikebasketball/2008/08/04/marvin-gaye-brings-soul-to-the-american-game
Boxing: Too many divisions to break down here, but looking at medal predictions, this looks like a weak team for the US. I think this is a commentary on US boxing in general.
Besides, I find Olympic style boxing boring with the few rounds and the whole punch scoring system. If this was mixed martial arts, then we’re in business. I guess I have to wait 16 years for this (oh, MMA will be an Olympic sport)
Canoe/Kayak: I’ve never done either one of these things and feel bad about that. No predictions here, but I do like viewing the sport. Here’s how it looks:
Cycling: Most of you think this consists of only the road course style of it like the Tour De France. Not so my friend. There are races on a small sprint track which is thrilling to watch. Look for France, Great Britain and Germany to do well in the team competions. Some highlights:
Diving: The only type of diving I know about is cannonball style. They are so graceful in the air, it’s a beauty to see. Synchronized diving is pretty recent and a sight to see.
Equestrian: I really can’t give you much here, sorry.
Fencing: I love combat sports and fencing qualifies. It’s old school fighting that would take place in a castle or something. I’m in.
Brooklyn’s own Keeth Smart is going for a medal in the individual sabre and it would be nice to see the men get a medal in the team sabre.
On the women’s side, gold is predicted for the individual and team sabre for the US. Here’s some fencing for you to enjoy:
Field Hockey: Interesting sport. Some of my Wake Forest fans out there can explain the intricacies of this sport for you. To be honest with you, I didn’t even know men played this sport until doing research for this post. I’m used to seeing American women in colleges play this sport. Watch the men give it a try, I know that I will.
Gymnastics: This is the only “mainstream” Olympic sport that I can’t cosign on. I respect the skills on display but I just don’t get too excited about it. Maybe my mother constant viewing of it when I was a kid scarred me or something, I wish I had an answer.
I do know that the Chinese take this stuff seriously and there’s a nice rivalry between the US and China on both the men’s and women’s side. So, the event being in Beijing should bring the element of drama to it with the Americans trying to win gold on enemy turf.
Its like Rocky IV, accept with flips and turns instead of punches.
Still with me folks, I hope you are…
Judo: I love Judo! If you love mixed martial arts, judo is it for you. Its all about the throws and submissions. I can watch a Judo tournament all day and love it.
It was founded in Japan by the great Kano Jigoro.
The beauty of Olympic judo is that you start seeing some countries making appearances that you wouldn’t expect. Experts are predicting people from the following countries to earn a medal: Netherlands, Mongolia (are you kidding me, Mongolia!), Cuba, Iran (cue up the Iron Sheik jokes), Hungary, Cuba, Brazil, Georgia (the country, not the state), Greece, Japan of course, Israel, France, North Korea, Portugal, and my two favorites, which I have to highlight below:
Azerbaijan and Tajikistan
You can’t make that stuff up.
Here’s a video below to show the awesomeness of this sport (can you tell I’m excited about this one?)
Rowing: I’ve never rowed a real boat, but I’ve been on a row machine or two and that’s no joke. I like seeing the team competitions.
Sailing: Not much here for me. However, the oldest Olympian, John Dane III is a young 58 and making his first Olympics after 40 years of sailing.
Shooting: We have some military officers on the US team, so that’s a good story during this “time of war” (save us Obama! Sorry, can’t get political here).
Plus, its guns! Who doesn’t love guns?
Soccer: This is always a dicey situation on the men’s side for the US. You would think that since the event is U-23, the playing field would be even for everybody. That’s not the case. The youth development of other countries is better then the US. The Americans have never won a medal in men’s soccer and it ain’t happening now. Not when you have guys like Ronaldinio playing for Brazil and Lionel Messi playing for Argentina.
The good part of it on the men’s side is that it’s two years before the World Cup so you get to see the youth in action before they step up to the senior squad. I usually go for the African nations in the Olympics because it brings flavor to the events. You get tired of seeing Brazil, Argentina and the European countries dominating. Go Ivory Coast and Nigeria!
The women’s side is always good for a storyline or two. I always go for the USA. Its going to be rough on them this time, especially without Wambach.
Softball: The USA takes care of business in this event. The team is loaded. With Jennie Fitch, Monica Abbott (boo Tennessee!), Cat Osterman and a host of others, the US should cruise to this. Keep softball in the Olympics!!!!
War Lisa Fernandez! I met her at UCLA a few years ago and it was an awesome experience.
Swimming: I really like the swimming events and there will be a ton of hype on Phelps and Dara Torres, so I’ll keep it short here. This post is to bring attention to the other sports that don’t get the attention. I do like Natalie Coughlin and Cullen Jones (NYC Represent!)
Synchronized Swimming: Same as swimming, even though all of those people in the water doing the same thing is a little creepy, and not in a good way. Its like a cult learned how to swim together, not appealing.
Table Tennis: or ping-pong as some of you call it. The Asian nations continue the dominance in these events. All of the US members are from China so it’s a homecoming for them. Here are some highlights, set to Eye of the Tiger! (Two Rocky references in one post, new record!)
Taekwondo: Same thing as Judo. Watch out for that spinning heel kick! The story of the Lopez family is worth checking it out.
Here are some sick knockouts:
Team Handball: All over this! There are no US teams in this one, which is a bummer. It looks like something that you would play in gym class. The video below has some more details about the sport. European countries do damage in this one, especially Denmark, Norway and Germany.
Tennis: Very similar to what you see in a major. Moving on…
Track and Field: Track is massive of course. Here are the following things that I’m looking forward to:
1) The men’s 100 Meter Dash. The trio of American Tyson Gay and Jamacians Usian Bolt and Asafa Powell will make this the premier event in the Olympics event to check out.
2) Men’s 400 Meter Dash. Jeremy Wariner going for his second consecutive gold medal in the Olympics for the US.
3) Men’s 1500 Meter Run. Bernard Lagut representing the US for the first time going for his first gold. He won the silver medal for Kenya in 2004.
4) All of the relay races.
5) Men’s Shot Put. My man Reese Hoffa goes for gold and the US team goes for a podium sweep.
6) Women's 200 Meter Dash. My crush and top-five bench player Allyson Felix is going for gold in this one.
7) Women's 110 Meter Hurdles: Another crush and potential top-five bench player Lolo Jones (what’s up with me crushing on female track athletes?) is the favorite to win gold for the US.
Volleyball: Beach volleyball is a good time, especially on the women’s side (I’m a dude, the women are hot, sue me). The glamour team is Misty May-Treanor and Keri Walsh and will look to repeat and get another gold medal.
However, I’m old school and like to see the indoor game. I really, really want to see the US men get a medal. Brazil, Russia and Poland are too strong though.
Water Polo: I really don’t get into this one.
Weightlifting: Similar to Judo, some unique countries make appearances like Armenia, Belarus, Latvia, Hong Kong (gotta love independence!), and wait for it Borat fans…
Kazakhstan!
Here’s a video of arguably the greatest lifter ever, Pyrros Dimas of Greece getting a bronze medal in the 2004 games in Athens. He had won the three previous gold medals in his weight class and was lifting in his home country. He missed his final lift and then took off his shoes, indicating his retirement. During the awards ceremony, he got a 15 minute standing ovation. You heard that right, a 15 minute standing ovation.
I cried when I saw that because it represented everything right about the Olympics.
And finally, Wrestling: This is the original Olympic event. Similar to Judo in my love for it. Some highlights below:
That’s my preview. Here’s some more analysis of some interesting US athletes.
Hopefully that was useful in some way. Enjoy the Games. I will after taking a nap from writing this post.
