New trend?

September 24, 2007

Julien talked about it and now it seems to be a bit of trend. The European players are about to leave the NBA. After the rumors about Sarunas Jasikevicius we got some news about Sasha Pavlovic (Serbia), Peja Stojakovic (Serbia) and Andre Kirilenko (Russia).

Doesn’t it sound weird that all these good European players want to leave the NBA? At first I was like - “What is wrong with these guys? What else do you want?” Somehow they all don’t like either their coach, team or their contract.

I am sure some Americans will say that Sarunas and Sasha are just two European who just did not make it - but what’s the excuse for All Stars like Peja and Andre? If this new trend will start to develop the European leagues well even take another step forward and the Euroleague will get better and better. A few years it was like taking a step back if you leave the NBA for a Euroleague team. Americans never got and still get the same respect if they play in Europe as if they would get playing on a NBA team.

The NBA Europe LIVE tour will give us another chance to see how close the European teams really are to be on the same level as NBA teams.



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Published by Tobias · Filed Under Euroleague, NBA, trades 

Comments

6 Responses to “New trend?”

  1. Mike L. on September 26th, 2007 7:11 am

    Saras just doesn’t fit in the NBA, because he’s not effective in the man-on-man game more prevalent stateside, especially on defense.

    Pavlovic could get as much money in Europe with more playing time, so he can at least use the threat of returning to Europe as a credible ploy to convince Cleveland to pay him more.

    Peja’s on the downside of his career.

    AK47… I’m not sure what to think about his situation. Jerry Sloan is a tough coach to play for, and Kirilenko has been playing out of position at the 3 spot. I think he could be placated if he was traded to another NBA squad that would play him at the 4, but he’d be happy to return back to Europe if it meant he could get away from Sloan.

    The Spaniards and Argentines seem to be happy enough with the NBA, however.

  2. john marzan on September 26th, 2007 3:16 pm

    guys, maybe you can explain this to us who are not in europe (i’m from asia). why does British basketball suck? It’s disappointing because i think they have so much potential. basketball seems to be popular in europe except in the UK.

    I do hope they are not automatically qualified for the 2012 Olympic Basketball! i’d rather see a more deserving team like france or turkey make it (if they fail to qualify!)

  3. Tobias on September 28th, 2007 6:05 pm

    I don’t think British Basketball sucks. As you said they have potential so give them some time to develop. They just started their national team and the leagues are getting better organized.

  4. Arkadios on September 29th, 2007 8:36 am

    FIBA told UK that if they won’t improve they won’t get a wild card for Olympic Games.

    They didn’t and they won’t… The european nations that will play in the 2012 Olympics will be Spain and russia for sure and maybe Greece, Slovenia, Germany

    Amaechi made it to the NBA Hall of Fame.

    Pavlovic is closer to Europe, Cavs signed a player in his position but Varejao might see out his remaining contract to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

  5. john marzan on September 29th, 2007 8:09 pm

    I don’t think British Basketball sucks. As you said they have potential so give them some time to develop. They just started their national team and the leagues are getting better organized.

    oh cmon. when was the last time the England played in the eurobasket tournament. when was the last time they won any significant basketball tournament? what’s their current FIBA rankings?

    again, can any of you guys explain why british basketball sucks?

  6. Nik on October 30th, 2007 3:14 am

    British Basketball sucks because there is no interest by most people in Britain, apart from some foreigners from countries with basketball tradition. Sponsors are not easy to attract and even if it is possible, there is not any sign of organised import of people to teach the know how from the fundamentals to more advanced plays. Also there is no viewing of the euroleague or acb or whatever else that is decent. Most players have scenes only from the NBA and the adaptation in their league is very bad. Living in the UK for quite a time, i dont see this changing. The market in the UK is attractive for FIBA and ULEB officials, but there is no culture interest in Basketball apart from being a minority sport. As a money making official I would prefer to draw attention more in France or Germany rather than the UK.

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