NBA lockout and players to Europe

[Russ Smith]

Wasn't sure if this should go here or other NBA talk so feel free to move it.

Rick Pitino came out yesterday and said he's advising his kids who don't go in the first round to take the first European offer they get, if they get one. His reasoning is that the lockout will happen, and will be very long, and many current NBA players will sign to go overseas and play pushing the younger players just out of college to the back of the line.

And why would NBA players want to play in Europe? Because according to an article he cited, 65% of the first round picks in the last 15 years, are currently bankrupt!

Even Kobe Bryant was quoted in the article saying he'd be interested in playing overseas.

http://www.zagsblog.com/2011/05/04/pitino-nba-players-will-flood-europe-during-lockout/#more-51760

 

[Mainstreet]

And why would NBA players want to play in Europe? Because according to an article he cited, 65% of the first round picks in the last 15 years, are currently bankrupt!

Even Kobe Bryant was quoted in the article saying he'd be interested in playing overseas.

http://www.zagsblog.com/2011/05/04/pitino-nba-players-will-flood-europe-during-lockout/#more-51760

Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but I don't think the NBA season will be lost. I'm hoping the NBA is tracking the NFL and want to keep this out of the courts.

In regard to players going to Europe, I doubt they can absorb the influx of NBA players. I think it is more posturing than a realistic option except for marginal players. If top players go to Europe and get injured they may well violate their current contract. This might be an option for later first round picks but I don't think the top picks will risk their career for such an option. Of course there are always players like Rubio who will choose Europe anyway.

Also being a first round pick does not mean job security. It is always hit and miss. New players in the NBA should not consider this as a career at least until their second contract. In regard to bankruptcy, NBA players do not get the upfront money like the NFL.

 

[AfroSuns]

A lot of the players will have to take huge pay cut if they want to play in Europe.
Basketball will never be as popular as soccer in Europe, maybe not even top 2 sports in some countries. There is no way the few top Basket Ball clubs will be able to afford paying the kind of money NBA superstars earn.

 

[Russ Smith]

Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but I don't think the NBA season will be lost. I'm hoping the NBA is tracking the NFL and want to keep this out of the courts.

In regard to players going to Europe, I doubt they can absorb the influx of NBA players. I think it is more posturing than a realistic option except for marginal players. If top players go to Europe and get injured they may well violate their current contract. This might be an option for later first round picks but I don't think the top picks will risk their career for such an option. Of course there are always players like Rubio who will choose Europe anyway.

Also being a first round pick does not mean job security. It is always hit and miss. New players in the NBA should not consider this as a career at least until their second contract. In regard to bankruptcy, NBA players do not get the upfront money like the NFL.

Sure but if you read the actual story Pitino was citing from the Toronto Sun(which says 60% are broke within 5 years of leaving the NBA, not 65% are bankrupt as Pitino said) it's clear why they go bankrupt. One player talked about knowing other players who have 14 cars, or "2 for each day, that's ridiculous." Jason Kapono talked about the extravagant lifestyle players lead and how they want all their hangers on to live the same way so they spend everything they earn. Add in deceptive agents and money managers and it's quite easy to go bankrupt.

And it's another consequence of kids going to the NBA so early, they don't have the education they need to understand how stupid they are being with their money.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but I don't think the NBA season will be lost. I'm hoping the NBA is tracking the NFL and want to keep this out of the courts.

In regard to players going to Europe, I doubt they can absorb the influx of NBA players. I think it is more posturing than a realistic option except for marginal players. If top players go to Europe and get injured they may well violate their current contract. This might be an option for later first round picks but I don't think the top picks will risk their career for such an option. Of course there are always players like Rubio who will choose Europe anyway.

Also being a first round pick does not mean job security. It is always hit and miss. New players in the NBA should not consider this as a career at least until their second contract. In regard to bankruptcy, NBA players do not get the upfront money like the NFL.

The NFL has some problems it needs to solve but it knows better than to kill the Golden Goose. The NBA has much more serious problems and IF they don't get them resolved soon, you will be looking at contraction on a level we've never seen in American sports. I hope there is an NBA season but personally, I'd be shocked to see anything more than a very truncated one at best.

Steve

 

[slinslin]

And it's another consequence of kids going to the NBA so early, they don't have the education they need to understand how stupid they are being with their money.

Unless you study business/accounting or something I'd like to know how college actually teaches you how to spend money.

 

[BC867]

Unless you study business/accounting or something I'd like to know how college actually teaches you how to spend money.

That's true. Or, even more, how to save money.

The average college student who lives away from home for the first time learns from just having to do it. Real world.

But I don't think that student-athletes fall into the average category. Especially if they are good enough to be drafted and know that they will become instant millionaires.

The young neuvo-riche or easy-come-easy-go are in a category by themselves, probably unless they let their family serve as their business advisors (if their families are knowledgeable enough).

 

[Magnus]

Unless you study business/accounting or something I'd like to know how college actually teaches you how to spend money.

College teaches responsibility.

 

[Russ Smith]

That's true. Or, even more, how to save money.

The average college student who lives away from home for the first time learns from just having to do it. Real world.

But I don't think that student-athletes fall into the average category. Especially if they are good enough to be drafted and know that they will become instant millionaires.

The young neuvo-riche or easy-come-easy-go are in a category by themselves, probably unless they let their family serve as their business advisors (if their families are knowledgeable enough).

Well I know a lot of kids who played college sports who have talked about how they had to manage their scholarship money to make sure they had enough money.

I'm not saying it's only kids who leave early that make up that 65%, but it doesn't help them to leave early in that regard.

 

[BC867]

Well I know a lot of kids who played college sports who have talked about how they had to manage their scholarship money to make sure they had enough money.

Of course. But there is a big difference between the kids who played college sports and the ones we're talking about -- hearing themselves being called hot prospects to make it to the NBA (or NFL) throughout their college careers -- the high draft picks.

 

[Bufalay]

College teaches responsibility.

Is that a class? Responsibility can be learned in college because many students are living away from their parents for the first time in their lives. But that would also be the case for an 18 year old professional athlete.

 

[Magnus]

Is that a class? Responsibility can be learned in college because many students are living away from their parents for the first time in their lives. But that would also be the case for an 18 year old professional athlete.

It's not just independence from parents. It's about realising how important the stuff you learn will actually be to you in life, and it's about learning what you want and what you don't want to take from your life. You don't get that feeling in high school, nor on the road with a team. You gain no knowledge, you're just put into a role of a travelling sports team, but in your mind you are just a kid, and you will either learn responsibility through this new situation you are in or you won't. Most of them don't.

Ofcourse, it depends from person to person what they will take out of the college expirience. Some might take it as only parties and slacking off, so it is indeed pointless for that type of person. But I'm still convinced that the college expirience would help a considerable percentage of proffesional athletes to learn a thing or two about - responsibility - before taking on their job.

 

[BC867]

But I'm still convinced that the college experience would help a considerable percentage of professional athletes to learn a thing or two about - responsibility - before taking on their job.

Years ago I shared a couple of thoughts about education with my two sons.

1- More important than what you learn in school is that it teaches you how to learn. High school takes it to a certain degree. College takes is further.

2- For many, college is a buffer between a relatively carefree life at home and the rigors of existing in a competitive market.

Whether management, white collar, blue collar, laborer, etc., the challenges are significant.

Being a draft pick in basketball or football (or, to a lesser degree, baseball) presents challenges many, many times greater. Everything they say or do is under a microscope.

Temptations of alcohol, drugs and sex with constant time to kill on the road.
The realization that injury while performing can hamper a career.
Long-term health risks from steroids or additives for instant success.
Having to deal with the Press and the public.

Most baseball players are not college guys because the Minor Leagues provide the buffer for 2-3 years.

In basketball or football, the draft picks who last in the big time went right to the big time. There is no buffer. Except college. Those who go right from high school are cheating themselves.

Overall, it is to their advantage to experience that buffer. 2-3-4 years of college. It also provides them with a foundation of education for 10-12-14 years later when their skills diminish and they have to face the rest of their life, after having lived as instant millionaires.

And let's face it. A disproportionate amount of stars come from a lower socio-economic background. That is a major jump to make right out of high school.

 

[Magnus]

Couldn't agree more. I was coasting through high school with excellent grades, but it wasn't until college that i realised how to really learn.