Giant T is probably steaming at some of these comments, but TFD ridiculing toilets seems like the high water remark and just might push GT over the edge. I'm expecting an explosive response.

Anyone remember Antoinne Carr? Top ten pick by the Pistons in the 80's. Told them not to draft him or he was going to Europe. He went to Italy. Have to think a lot more players are going to start using that leverage.

Hoopshype has a great story on the issue: HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Sam Smith » The great escape

Of course, it’s not like the NBA is about to lose its best talent.
There are risks leaving the U.S., terrorism aside. American players tend not to be the most adaptable people to different cultures, and all have heard horror stories of players not being paid or dumped after a bad game. And try collecting in Moscow. FIBA doesn’t exactly stand behind players to guarantee salaries like the NBA does.

But Europe is now starting to see billionaire owners who might like an ego player or two. And the NBA isn’t exactly in boom times. Restricted free agents, like Childress, have trouble getting offers and so few teams are below the salary cap. Many more are close to the luxury tax and refusing to spend anywhere close. Previous wild spenders like the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks are cutting back. The Denver Nuggets, another big luxury tax payer, recently have Marcus Camby, arguably the league’s top defensive player, to the Clippers for, effectively, nothing to save money. Free agents like the Bulls’ Ben Gordon and Luol Deng are getting no offers.

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16...Stern has to be a little worried about this. None of the other big 4 American sports have been challenged by foreign competition like the NBA has in the last few years. Baseball players from Japan to Latin & South America hold MLB as their aspiration. The NHL has been pulling great talent from Europe for years. The NFL has no competition outside of North America cuz 'football' means something else to the rest of the world.

The Larry O'Brien Trophy appears to be losing some of it's luster. A big part of it might be cuz basketball requires the smallest roster.

I don't know when the next CBA is due for discussion, but the NBA might wanna re-think some of the current terms.

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"What you drive, drives America.
"http://www.levelfieldinstitute.org/

Being on a forum for the DETROIT Pistons, seems odd that some of us can't see the irony in this. I hope the NBA handles the imminent threat of Globalization better than the original Big 3 did. Remember when people used to look at those itty-bitty Japanese cars and say, "Americans will never drive those things" Hmmmmmm.....Good ol' American arrogance, never fails.

Rax, I'm just looking out for the youngens. Fresh out of hi school or college, they may want to know what to expect.
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Dett, GT expects only the best in plumbing. Crane, Standard etc. nothing less.

Another one gone.
The Associated Press: Childress leaves Hawks to sign with Greek club


"I've talked to a few guys, and it could become a trend," Childress said on a conference call about other Americans following his lead. "I'm not so sure it won't. It's different. We thought out of the box a little on this one."

looking at this from there view.... maybe this is the way they make sure stern and his mighty god like attitude don't expand into there market...

No salary caps.... no taxes for the players to pay.... seems like they can go along way to convincing more then just a few of our mid level stars and maybe some of our bigger stars to go over. how well child does over there will set the table for future years i think.

The NBA has lost the last two olympics so we need to stop thinking that were automatically the best and only place to play basketball...

World basketball has grown greatly since the 92 dream team.

Taxation and a US dollar that is leaking value are probably big contributors.

Stern's *ugh* wonderful CBA could come back to bite him in the arse, as these foreign teams in many cases are completely unrestrained, and with the new Russian bourgeoisie throwing money around like Pacman Jones at a strip club....

I still don't see how a handful of marginal players going to Europe affects the NBA. Sixty players were just drafted. There are probably a hundred others from the NBDL and Europe that will all be fighting for just a couple dozen open roster slots in the entire NBA. No one is going to miss Delfino, Childress, etc.

Childress is one of the better 6th men in the NBA, he's definitely not a "marginal player".

What is concerning is that so many teams are not making offers to or lowballing their RFAs.

You're right Bill. This is meaningless. Until it becomes a trend. Then it's a crisis.

Got an umbrella?