NBA Stars going on tour

While I understand the move on the part of these players, isn't this a potential union-busting move? Sure, it's great that these dozen or so all stars are going to get a nice payday ($1 million being thrown out), but what does that do for all the young guys and journeman who aren't getting the invite?

At some point, aren't the rank and file going to look at this and say "Screw those guys - I only get a million per season total, and I'm not even getting that - let's take the deal"

7 months ago douglast 20 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Yeah, countless rank-and-file NBA players are likely to feel dejected over the stars barnstorming overseas.

Not sure if this’ll cause those rank-and-file guys to fold their losing hand just yet, but it’s certainly something for them to think about long and hard.

"I Am Mine"

by AK1984 on Oct 19, 2011 3:23 PM PDT reply actions

But does it really matter?

A bunch of rank and file guys (plus Chris Paul) have been working on hammering out a deal for a while now…only to be allegedly vetoed by a trio of max salary guys, each of whom is probably playing on his last contract anyway. I mean, the stars drive NBA revenue; the owners don’t give a crap if they can get the rank and file to agree to a deal. The need an agreement with the self-aggrandizing types who can go out an make millions off playing freaking pickup games in public.

Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!

by HailOden! on Oct 19, 2011 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions

it matters

these guys have thus far been content to let the process happen. they haven’t taken any votes yet or anything. but you can bet dollars to donuts if Kobe and the guys all run off on their tour to make hundreds of thousands each, these guys are going to get a LOT more interested in the process. Once these guys start putting pressure on their reps and Fisher to make a deal, they have the votes to make it happen.

"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform."

by douglast on Oct 19, 2011 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Ok, but what if the Kobe's and LeBron's get screwed, and they just refuse to play?

What if D-Will just stays in Turkey, and Kobe signs in Italy for the year? What if Lebron says “screw this, I can play for the Cowboys”?

Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!

by HailOden! on Oct 19, 2011 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions

what if pig's fly?

my what if and yours have the same chance of happening.

"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform."

by douglast on Oct 19, 2011 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Haha, true

But I seriously want someone to answer this question! It’s bugging me, man.

Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!

by HailOden! on Oct 19, 2011 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions

what's the question?

"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform."

by douglast on Oct 19, 2011 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Whether or not I have can clearly and fully explicate my thoughts...

And the answer is a resounding “no.” My question is, even if you could get the votes from the rank and file, and even if the players were to start to fracture, would it really get us any closer to deal if the big names weren’t on board?

Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!

by HailOden! on Oct 19, 2011 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions

absolutely

by it’s very definition, the rank and file pushing a yes vote through means that a deal is done. The lockout would end, and the union would continue to represent all NBA players.

the stars could either come back and play, or become holdouts. It’s near impossible to envisions the latter scenario, since they really have no other plausible options.

"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform."

by douglast on Oct 19, 2011 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions

I get that part, but here's where my (mental?) problem is

A) I think the stars DO have other plausible options, especially internationals and guys who are currently signed or are about to sign overseas.

B) While they may not actually holdout in the event of a deal, they could threaten it. And who wants to call their bluff? The owners certainly don’t. If I’m Jerry Buss, and Kobe even suggests that he’ll just go to Europe, I’ll wanna make sure those stars are on board before I agree to a deal, lest Andrea Bargnani wins an MVP award in the absence of the stars (ok, it won’t get that bad).

It’s all just a futile thought experiment, but I still wonder…

Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!

by HailOden! on Oct 19, 2011 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions

we'll just have to disagree on (A)

as far as B, it kind of rests on (A). If you believe that most stars would come back, because they have no other options, then it’s an easy bluff to call. and the NBA has a proven track record of producing new stars pretty much yearly, so any potential “loss” would be but a blip.

"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform."

by douglast on Oct 19, 2011 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions

You should check out what Deron Williams is doing so far during his overseas stint

No joke. It’s a hint that things may be very different than the stars expect.

by Timmay! on Oct 19, 2011 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions

True, D-Will and other Americans have really stunk in international play

But they’re still making money

Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!

by HailOden! on Oct 19, 2011 11:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, I guess that's not true

A lot of the fringe NBA guys have been waived.

Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!

by HailOden! on Oct 19, 2011 11:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Yep. That "overseas" bogeyman is slowly being exposed.

by Timmay! on Oct 19, 2011 11:48 PM PDT up reply actions

and barnstormingonly helps a handful of guys, and only for a few small paydays

what does that leave? starting their own league. no one on the owner’s side of the table would waste even a second worrying about that prospect. They might all have a hearty laugh though.

"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform."

by douglast on Oct 19, 2011 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions