The BIG BLUFF about NBA players playing overseas

[eighteen]

This is all a Bluff, these high profile guys aren't going to pass up an extended vacation and leave their comfy lifestyles to become stars or role players in another country.

If it was a couple stars and a few benchwarmers it would be believable, but now it's just about about the players last ditch effort to not submit to as much of a loss this Monday.

First Deron Williams, then Kobe, and many others.

Imagine them getting injured overseas, Kobe could end his career.

Now Durant? B.S........Great timing to scare the owners for Monday's meeting.

[Rondo_is_better]

[eighteen]

My post has been ruined 

About I DUNNO LOL

I dunno LOL ( ¯\(°_o)/¯ ) is an ASCII-based emoticon of a character shrugging with arms raised in confusion. It is often used as the superlative form of the standard “surprised face” (O_o), oftentimes in response to “How do I shot web?” or any other question that only brings more questions into the conversation.

[ACF]

Have you considered the fact that maybe they just like (or love) to play basketball and going overseas is the only way to do just that (at a fairly high level)?

Also, the Iverson pic is kind of silly. Dude went there because no one else wanted him. It's not really the same. Plus, maybe these players could learn a thing or two about how things work in other countries, which is always a good thing. Don't mean to be rude but there are actually other ways of life than the American one. Broaden your horizon, you know?

[Chris]

Have you considered the fact that maybe they just like (or love) to play basketball and going overseas is the only way to do just that (at a fairly high level)?

Yeah, I really think the players are just going over there because they love to play, and more importantly, they love to show how good they are.  A lot of them look at this as a great opportunity to "dominate" another league for a while, and grow their personal brands.

Plus, its basically an all expenses paid European vacation.

I also don't know how much it bothers the owners.  I bet at least some of them look at it as a chance to build a larger market, and given how little they are getting paid in Europe, its really not hurting the negotiations.

[jdz101]

The fact that they're all including out clauses makes these overseas contracts meaningless anyway. Won't affect the NBA or owners whatsoever.

[eighteen]

Needing to broaden my horizons because I thinking their bluffing is quite a leap, sounds like you need a Turkey vacation Andrew, I spent half my life in Turkey, I'm all set.

Traveling to your parent's third home in Vermont to go Maple Syruping and riding on your Dad's boat in Kennebunk port doesn't count as being a Worldy traveler.

Is the Iverson pic propaganda for my post? Yes.

They could learn a lot, they could want to play in Europe, they could being Bluffing, no coincidence Kobe's meeting overseas is two days before the next Owners/NBAPA meeting.

Should I call for your Wambulance now? I'll get your tourist Fez hat ready.

Broaden your horizon, you know?

[ACF]

My name is not Andrew. Also, I live in Denmark, you'd know if you had bothered to check. But I like the attitude, it'll really get you far here. Or maybe not. Good day, sir.

[Eja117]

Needing to broaden my horizons because I thinking their bluffing is quite a leap, sounds like you need a Turkey vacation Andrew, I spent half my life in Turkey, I'm all set.

Traveling to your parent's third home in Vermont to go Maple Syruping and riding on your Dad's boat in Kennebunk port doesn't count as being a Worldy traveler.

Is the Iverson pic propaganda for my post? Yes.

They could learn a lot, they could want to play in Europe, they could being Bluffing, no coincidence Kobe's meeting overseas is two days before the next Owners/NBAPA meeting.

Should I call for your Wambulance now? I'll get your tourist Fez hat ready.

Broaden your horizon, you know?

Are there palm trees in Turkey? Because eja's #1 rule of international travel is "Never go to a place with a palm tree".

If you'd ever seen a Soviet woman you wouldn't be calling their bluff. And if they do the whole 17 kids with 16 women thing they'll be out of the jurisdiction soon. And think of the tattoos!   

[Eja117]

Darn it. I picked yes in the poll and I meant to pick no. It shouldn't be 8-3. It should be 7-4

[Shots]

My name is not Andrew. Also, I live in Denmark, you'd know if you had bothered to check. But I like the attitude, it'll really get you far here. Or maybe not. Good day, sir.

Denmark, ME?

[dark_lord]

Needing to broaden my horizons because I thinking their bluffing is quite a leap, sounds like you need a Turkey vacation Andrew, I spent half my life in Turkey, I'm all set.

Traveling to your parent's third home in Vermont to go Maple Syruping and riding on your Dad's boat in Kennebunk port doesn't count as being a Worldy traveler.

Is the Iverson pic propaganda for my post? Yes.

They could learn a lot, they could want to play in Europe, they could being Bluffing, no coincidence Kobe's meeting overseas is two days before the next Owners/NBAPA meeting.

Should I call for your Wambulance now? I'll get your tourist Fez hat ready.

Broaden your horizon, you know?

[Celtics18]

The increasing expansion of the international game will be great in that it will open up avenues for the average fan to explore new and exciting levels of ignorance and prejudice.

Should be fun.   

[LarBrd33]

I'm not sure it's a bluff.  The idea was that the NBA would lean on the experience of the past lock-out where they (supposedly) discovered many NBA stars were living paycheck-to-paycheck.  The idea is that the players union will fold to the NBA's demands. 

There have been articles over the past couple years about star NBA players getting major contracts to play overseas.  I'm not sure how true these articles are, but there have been claims in the past that some deep-pocketed foreign owner would be willing to pay something obscene like 50 million a year for LeBron or Kobe.  That doesn't sound realistic... but I imagine there is a situation where a NBA-level contract exists for the right name. 

SO then you think of someone like LeBron whose goal is to be a "global icon"... is it really a losing situation for him to go play overseas for a season making crazy money?  Seems like it would only help his brand and generate even more fans outside the United States.   It puts pressure on the NBA for sure.

[ACF]

My name is not Andrew. Also, I live in Denmark, you'd know if you had bothered to check. But I like the attitude, it'll really get you far here. Or maybe not. Good day, sir.

Denmark, ME?

Copenhagen, NY?