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Lacy J. Banks On The European Option
Chicago Sun Times
Abroad jump an option for NBA players
December 21, 1998
BY LACY J. BANKS STAFF REPORTER
Picture Jayson Williams playing in Italy.
Or Shawn Kemp in Spain.
Or Charles Barkley in Greece--if the money's right.
As this NBA season wastes away, the alternative of
playing in Europe is becoming increasingly
attractive to many players.
So is the possibility of the players and their
agents organizing a rival league if the NBA owners
cancel the season.
``That's why I want them to hurry up and decide
whether there's going to be a season or not because
I'd gladly go play in Europe,'' Williams said.
``Heck, I'm a basketball player. I want to play and
I've got to play. This lockout isn't paying my
bills.
``My agent is already talking with some teams over
in Europe. Personally, Kinder Bologna in Italy would
be a good one for me. It's not like I'd stay there
forever. But a man's got to do what a man's got to
do.''
Saturday night in Atlantic City, N.J., after only 12
days of preparation and seven days of ticket sales,
NBA stars drew an enthusiastic crowd of 9,512 for
their exhibition game. With the help of sponsors
that included the cable network Showtime, which
televised the game live for its 12 million
subscribers, players raised more than $500,000 for
UNICEF and other charities.
Co-promoted by agents David Falk, Curtis Polk and
Arn Tellem, the game served noticed that the players
could market themselves to what is now a global
basketball market.
``The public realizes that these players are largely
what the NBA is all about,'' Polk said. ``It's their
talent that they come to see.''
``I've never seen [NBA commissioner] David Stern
play a game or make a shot,'' Karl Malone said.
So as the lockout drags on, expect to see the
players explore their options more aggressively.
Already, Denver Nuggets guard Nick Van Exel, New
York Knicks forward Marcus Camby and Toronto Raptors
forward Reggie Slater are threatening to sue the NBA
to have their contracts dissolved so they can play
for European teams.
Van Exel is so fed up, he wants to forgo the last
year of his contract and play in Europe regardless
of whether a labor contract is negotiated and there
is a short season.
``I'm just trying to get overseas,'' Van Exel said.
``Since a guaranteed contract really isn't
guaranteed anymore and we're all supposed to be free
agents, then why can't we go play [elsewhere] to
make a living?
``I've talked to a few people around the league, and
they support what I'm doing. I want to go as soon as
possible. I'd go tomorrow if I could. But I'm going
to be patient. Hopefully, those deals will still be
waiting.''
Here is a sampling of players' opinions when asked
whether they would play in Europe if owners canceled
the NBA season and European teams offered them
contracts:
Barkley, free-agent forward: ``I really don't want
to go play in Europe and don't plan to. But if some
team offered me, say, $1 million to play a month for
them, I'd be a fool not to accept that offer.''
Malone, Utah Jazz forward: ``No way would I be
interested in playing in Europe. I don't need the
money. I can make more money off the court than what
I'd make playing for the Jazz. I am a red-blooded
American, born and raised in the U.S.A., and this is
where I want to stay.''
Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat center: ``If there is no
season, I'd consider playing in Europe in a
heartbeat. ... If the NBA won't let me work my trade
here, I might as well go elsewhere.''
Kemp, Cleveland Cavaliers forward: ``I'm a
basketball player. Need I say more? I play
basketball not just for a living, but because I love
the game. So I'll go play anywhere. I have nothing
against playing in Europe. I hear things can be
great over there if you get on the right team.''
Dan Majerle, Heat guard: ``I'm 33 years old, I've
been in the league 10 years, I've got a wife and
kids and don't really need the money that badly. So,
no, I wouldn't play in Europe.''
Tim Hardaway, Heat guard: ``I just feel that I won't
have to consider [playing in Europe] because there
will be a season. Trust me.''
Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers center: ``I'm
just sitting, waiting, chilling, watching the news.
To me, it's sort of like an accidental vacation. But
if the season is canceled, we have to look at other
alternatives. Playing in Europe is one of them.''
Sam Cassell, New Jersey Nets guard: ``I need
employment. So if that's an opportunity over there
to earn income, I'd have to do it. The owners have
families, the coaches have families, the
front-office [employees] have families, and they're
getting their money. We have to take care of our
families, too.''
Stephon Marbury, Minnesota Timberwolves guard:
``We're at the point now where you've got to feed
your families. There's not a deal on the table we're
willing to accept, and we're doing all the bending.
They're getting [all those millions] from Turner and
NBC that they don't have to pay back for four years.
So some teams are making more money without even
playing. We're the only ones getting burned. If
we're not playing by Jan. 1, there'll definitely not
be a season. And if they're not going to play
basketball, they should not stop us from playing.''
But buyer beware: Playing professional basketball in
Europe isn't for every NBA player.
Dominique Wilkins, who played Saturday, came back
after a year in Italy and had a few horror stories.
``I would not play there again,'' he said. ``I would
caution anybody going over there to be careful. Make
sure you choose the right team and get your money up
front.''