Splitter a sign of the NEAR future?

SMRattler · Post #1 » by **SMRattler** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 3:27 am

Just read about Brandon Jennings choosing to go to Europe pro basketball instead of college. I'll say after what has happened to the Spurs the last few years, most recently with Splitter, this was VERY expected for me and I had a good feeling this was the year this would happen. The time was right for it to happen. The Euro to dollar ratio and gas prices, etc. Plus...

Th biggest reason: the NBA salary structure. The world laughs at the whole concept of a salary cap, you know? I mean, U.S. always calls on its "free enterprise" BS. Yet, we have to have a salary cap to make the playing field fair? And what the hell with the "rookie salary scale"? It's hard to explain to people from the outside looking in.

Of course, as a Spurs fan, I certainly know that without the systems in place, being a small market team... you know. So, yeah, I'm glad it's in place.

However, is needing parity or an even playing field going to last if the talent pool starts going overseas? Think that's impossible? Well...

Look at what's happened since the early 90's. We had the dream team and it was the geat show on court in the Olympics. Nobody could touch us, it was a joke. The economy in the U.S. was on the rise, rich were getting richer. "Euro league" basketball was a joke. People in Europe couldn't afford cars because of parking limitations and (yup) GAS PRICES!

Fast forward to today, U.S. basketball had to hope for a top 3 finish in the LAST olympics, the Euro to Dollar ratio has swung. the Euro-basketball leagues HAVE MONEY and getting more money every day, and we're talking about "hipermiling" instead of trying to buy a third car.

It may seem far fetched to think this problem is just the early stages for what will blow the NBA up in the long run. Maybe those guys upstairs in the NBA offices are already working on the next generation plan to make sure that's not even a threat. If so, kudos to them.

But I don't see how the rookie salary scale can exist as structured. It can not make the best rookie player getting "average" bucks. It can't force teams to pay a guy who is established as a star in Europe like a minimum wage guy in the NBA. Why would anyone ever "accept" a sorry offer like that when the money is guaranteed overseas?

lukeridenour · Post #2 » by **lukeridenour** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:08 am

its certainly possible.. there are already nba players who leave for europe to refine their game while getting paid well. guys like anthony parker, and our very own roger mason. its definitely becoming more publicized now. i think navarro just got a lucrative contract offer and may bolt from the nba to europe for more money. the nba might have competition for top level talent in the future..

sheepwarrior · Post #3 » by **sheepwarrior** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:48 am

I don't think it will be that big a deal.. Despite everything that has gone on and what not, the NBA is still THE premier basketball league in the world. Sure European competition is getting better and better, but NBA still boasts the best talents. I don't really think you can count Navarro and Parker since they originally came from overseas.. and Jennings is really only going over so that he can refine his game, make some moolah and come back to the NBA. Sure we might lose some players for the money or the lifestyle or maybe even playing opportunity but I don't think it will be that big of an issue...

SMRattler · Post #4 » by **SMRattler** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:44 pm

Childress offer now the latest example of what I was talking about in this thread. It seemed so unlikely even recently but I can see the trend starting. Woj quote explains it better than I could:

"Childress' agent, Lon Babby, has instead looked to Europe to create leverage for his client, a unique approach that would have seemed unlikely as recently as three years ago. The U.S. dollar's declining value compared to the Euro, coupled with the influx of money from Russian owners into the Euroleague, has now made Europe a much more attractive option for players."

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_d ... =nba,94922

lukeridenour · Post #5 » by **lukeridenour** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:51 am

i would have thought it would be a couple more years but its happening now.

SMRattler · Post #6 » by **SMRattler** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:51 am

I was so ahead of the curve, Stein is JUST BARELY catching up with my old theory. :-)

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/s ... tes-080719

NBA execs are far more concerned about the rising strength of the euro vis-a-vis the declining fortunes of the American dollar.

After one season of great financial sacrifice to try to make it with the Grizzlies in Memphis, Spain's Juan Carlos Navarro couldn't say no to a lucrative return to Europe with his old friends at Spanish giant Barcelona. Argentina's Carlos Delfino followed suit this week, leaving the Toronto Raptors not for the return to the Detroit Pistons that he was offered, but for a fat contract from Khimki BC in Russia.

Sources say Delfino will be earning nearly 3 million euros annually -- tax free, of course -- with his new club. One expert on the matter says that equates to an NBA salary of more than $9 million when you factor in the exchange rate and the tax money Delfino won't have to give back.

At no time since his arrival on these shores in 2004, obviously, has Delfino been anything close to a $9 million player in the NBA.

bmw42690 · Post #7 » by **bmw42690** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:34 pm

The fact that guys are leaving the NBA to go overseas is a sad one. The fact that Delfino is going to get $9 million is a shocker. Something needs to happen to prevent more people from leaving or never coming over. This is supposed to be a premier league yet some great international players never come over. I remember the guy the Magic drafted a couple years ago at #10 or something like that (although i cant remember his name) who hasnt come over. It sucks for them because they wasted a lottery pick. Now guys are skipping college to go play overseas. I just cant believe what is going on.

sabonis · Post #8 » by **sabonis** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:29 pm

people in europe dont laugh at the salar cap concept... in fact people admire it.

Ryoga Hibiki · Post #9 » by **Ryoga Hibiki** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 7:27 pm

The salary cap is what makes the NBA profitable, something the Greek and Russian teams are not.

bmw42690 · Post #10 » by **bmw42690** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:31 pm

I have a question for everyone. If you were in a position like Josh Childress or Brandon Jennings what would you do? Would you go overseas and take the money or settle for a bit less and play in the NBA? Would you skip out on college?

Seeing all the reports that guys have been contacted about going overseas really got me thinking about this.

SMRattler · Post #11 » by **SMRattler** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:41 pm

bmw42690 wrote:I have a question for everyone. If you were in a position like Josh Childress or Brandon Jennings what would you do? Would you go overseas and take the money or settle for a bit less and play in the NBA? Would you skip out on college?

Seeing all the reports that guys have been contacted about going overseas really got me thinking about this.

I would have to say yeah, probably. As a fan I can sit back and go nostalgic and fan-up the NBA and it's glory, but as a young guy with nothing in his pocket, it would be hard to say no to so much money. And I don't think that gets easier as your status gets bigger. Look around at free agents, the money is all that matters.

Ryoga Hibiki · Post #12 » by **Ryoga Hibiki** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:01 pm

bmw42690 wrote:I have a question for everyone. If you were in a position like Josh Childress or Brandon Jennings what would you do? Would you go overseas and take the money or settle for a bit less and play in the NBA? Would you skip out on college?

Seeing all the reports that guys have been contacted about going overseas really got me thinking about this.

in the position of Jennings: I'd be in Europe at 16, improving much more than dominating my peers
in the position of Childress: there's a good chance he'll be back in few years with a much richer offer (assuming he doesn't bust out in Greece).

SMRattler · Post #13 » by **SMRattler** » Fri Aug 1, 2008 11:15 pm

This thread started with Splitter, then some HS baller, then Childress and now the thread moves to LeBron speculation.

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... at_lebron/

Do I think it will happen? No way.

But just the fact that it is even discussed shows the genius and vision of my thread. :-)

(I'll be milking this thread for years to come... get used to it)

boogernights · Post #14 » by **boogernights** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:39 am

THink of this way, for every Josh Childress, Pargo or Euro going home, a spot clears up for guys like Rudy Fernandez, Marc Gasol and maybe, Ricky Rubio (next year or next next year?).

But I do agree that Splitter re-signing with his team messed up San Antonio's Duncan Succession Plans. Any chance Javtokas can come on board this season?

coyotes_geek · Post #15 » by **coyotes_geek** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:44 pm

JMO, but I think if Javtokas were ever going to come over, he'd be here already. I think that ship sailed 2 years ago when the Spurs & Javtokas couldn't agree on a contract.

That being said, I'd be all for it if there were a way to make it happen. The Spurs need another big.