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Post by spacejammer on Jan 4, 2023 18:28:56 GMT
I thought about why certain good players especially ones that win MVP awards stick around the BBL for so long.
And in discussion with a friend he said that most likely a player who is well known will stick around alot more because of the job security and being known here.
And in Europe some leagues can be just as cut throat as the NBA meaning if you went to a league there then you might just be regarded as some other player rather then loved by the fans and organisations.
Sometimes when I have read the away players section I do notice some players have bounced around alot of countries even during the same season meaning you don't get to stay in one place long.
With that in mind would you say this makes returning or staying in the BBL more appealing then taking on the challenge of Europe?
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Post by dexter on Jan 4, 2023 19:18:05 GMT
I don’t know if this is true or not but this is definitely something the BBL could work on to make the BBL appealing. Whereas the top European leagues offer some very well paid contracts, the BBL could offer more long term secure contracts.
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Post by spacejammer on Jan 4, 2023 19:54:41 GMT
I don’t know if this is true or not but this is definitely something the BBL could work on to make the BBL appealing. Whereas the top European leagues offer some very well paid contracts, the BBL could offer more long term secure contracts. I think what's attracting players to the BBL is if you become an MVP then you have a job for life and if you link with a university and your team looks after you then you can play basketball and prepare for life beyond basketball through this league as aswell. Plus for an American since the UK is an English speaking country you don't have to worry about learning another language and Basketball here the fans are more respectable and safe. When I read former BBL Player Alex Owunmis book "Gaddafis Point Guard" at one point he left a team mid season in North Macedonia due to the racist behaviour of the fans over the there and feeling threatened. Unlike football atleast at BBL games it's family friendly and a much safer environment. |
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Post by dexter on Jan 4, 2023 20:13:47 GMT
I don’t know if this is true or not but this is definitely something the BBL could work on to make the BBL appealing. Whereas the top European leagues offer some very well paid contracts, the BBL could offer more long term secure contracts. I think what's attracting players to the BBL is if you become an MVP then you have a job for life and if you link with a university and your team looks after you then you can play basketball and prepare for life beyond basketball through this league as aswell. Plus for an American since the UK is an English speaking country you don't have to worry about learning another language and Basketball here the fans are more respectable and safe. When I read former BBL Player Alex Owunmis book "Gaddafis Point Guard" at one point he left a team mid season in North Macedonia due to the racist behaviour of the fans over the there and feeling threatened. Unlike football atleast at BBL games it's family friendly and a much safer environment. That is a very good point. As much as I find the passionate European crowds exciting from the safety of my home, in reality they are intimidating and scary. |
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Post by spacejammer on Jan 4, 2023 20:24:42 GMT
I think what's attracting players to the BBL is if you become an MVP then you have a job for life and if you link with a university and your team looks after you then you can play basketball and prepare for life beyond basketball through this league as aswell. Plus for an American since the UK is an English speaking country you don't have to worry about learning another language and Basketball here the fans are more respectable and safe. When I read former BBL Player Alex Owunmis book "Gaddafis Point Guard" at one point he left a team mid season in North Macedonia due to the racist behaviour of the fans over the there and feeling threatened. Unlike football atleast at BBL games it's family friendly and a much safer environment. That is a very good point. As much as I find the passionate European crowds exciting from the safety of my home, in reality they are intimidating and scary. Aye plus let's be honest whilst I love the BBL the likelihood of going from the BBL to the NBA or top of Europe is going to be an awfully long climb if this is where your playing. Sure you can continue to travel or be excited by the challenge to become a big name is Europe as well. But in terms of security and putting bread on the table some would argue the safe option is if you become a big name in the BBL then you can build on that. I mean look at Drew Lasker, Anthony Rowe and Mick Tuck etc... who have managed to have great playing careers then retire more securely because they were able to play and build a post playing career at the same time. Plus quite a few players will go to Europe or elsewhere only to return at some point to there BBL team or another. Suppose that kind of makes the BBL like a safe haven in a way. |
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Post by SamH on Jan 4, 2023 20:51:03 GMT
Some people would rather be a big fish in a small pond and they still make a decent salary.
And yes, sometimes the country itself. No one is going to Russia anymore, for example. Or I recall a story about an American who went to Lebanon to play and woke up one day to find his city under attack and at war, almost out of nowhere. He barely got out of the country alive. Who'd be bothered with that just to play ball?!
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jt
Sixth Man
Posts: 219
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Post by jt on Jan 4, 2023 21:52:25 GMT
I don’t know if this is true or not but this is definitely something the BBL could work on to make the BBL appealing. Whereas the top European leagues offer some very well paid contracts, the BBL could offer more long term secure contracts. I think what's attracting players to the BBL is if you become an MVP then you have a job for life and if you link with a university and your team looks after you then you can play basketball and prepare for life beyond basketball through this league as aswell. Plus for an American since the UK is an English speaking country you don't have to worry about learning another language and Basketball here the fans are more respectable and safe. When I read former BBL Player Alex Owunmis book "Gaddafis Point Guard" at one point he left a team mid season in North Macedonia due to the racist behaviour of the fans over the there and feeling threatened. Unlike football atleast at BBL games it's family friendly and a much safer environment. Qaddafi's Point Guard is an great read - I'd thoroughly recommend to anyone |
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Post by mansfieldmike on Jan 4, 2023 22:51:09 GMT
Some people would rather be a big fish in a small pond and they still make a decent salary. And yes, sometimes the country itself. No one is going to Russia anymore, for example. Or I recall a story about an American who went to Lebanon to play and woke up one day to find his city under attack and at war, almost out of nowhere. He barely got out of the country alive. Who'd be bothered with that just to play ball?! Tell that to Isaiah Reece or Namon Wright. |
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Post by D44 on Jan 5, 2023 9:47:28 GMT
One of the best things about being an Eagles fan over the years has been retaining top quality imports for multiple seasons. I think this is them being paid just enough to not make risking a move abroad worth it, being well looked after off court and (generally) being guaranteed minutes due to running a short rotation. Also the mindset of the players, some basketball players treat their careers like an extended gap year and want to move to a new country every year, every few months, other are doing masters etc and already looking post ball career. One things for sure there's some real horror stories out there about American players in Europe not getting paid, contract disputes, terrible accomodation etc.
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Post by spacejammer on Jan 5, 2023 17:48:04 GMT
Some people would rather be a big fish in a small pond and they still make a decent salary. And yes, sometimes the country itself. No one is going to Russia anymore, for example. Or I recall a story about an American who went to Lebanon to play and woke up one day to find his city under attack and at war, almost out of nowhere. He barely got out of the country alive. Who'd be bothered with that just to play ball?! You say that but from what I have seen from a recent interview with Sam Dekker he said getting constantly cut by an NBA team was not only demoralising but also quite disruptive as it made him constantly have to pack up his life and move around. I also remember Rahmon Fletcher said in an interview said one of the things about the Eagles that kept him coming back was not having to worry about his spot being stolen. Which I imagine is more of a risk in the leagues such as the NBA and Europe. |
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Post by SamH on Jan 6, 2023 9:29:22 GMT
Yes job security is definitely a factor too although guys landing even one 10 day contract in the NBA are probably earning at least about £25k for that, maybe more - so it's pretty lucrative and you never know if/when it might lead to a longer term deal. A few months in the NBA even on minimum wage sets you up financially for a good long while regardless of what happens after that.
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