NBA Lockout, Players Going Overseas: Let Them Eat Hummus!

As the lockout drags on, it seems that door to China has been effectively shut to the likes of Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul. 

Personally, I was glad to see the Chinese Basketball Association decided against having NBA players go to China as potential rentals. The CBA managed to keep its integrity at a time where temptation between locked-out players and foreign teams grows with each passing day. 

At the same time, I was disappointed in a piece written by ESPN's Rick Reilly that offered some cautionary pointers to anyone considering playing in Turkey. 

While I understand what Reilly is trying to convey, I found the piece a bit over the top and a tad one-sided. 

While I am not Turkish and have never been to Turkey, I have lived and worked abroad for several years now and take issue with stories like this. 

Being an expat is not easy and for some it can be a miserable experience.  At the same time, it can also provide perspective of a world beyond the scope one's comfort zone and end up being quite a rewarding opportunity.

Essentially it's a gamble, and without them life isn't really all that interesting.

For players like Deron Williams and many other high-profile stars considering making a move I am sure they will continue to hear of the risks with going abroad and as the lockout drags on many more will join the bandwagon.  In this case, telling players that "maybe you want to re-think this idea of playing in a country that's bordered by Iraq, Iran and Syria" or "it's a country where anti-Americanism and anti-Jewish sentiment run deep" aren't necessarily untrue. 

However, continuing with "your breakfast is often olives, tomatoes and hummus" is a veiled cheap shot at best. 

It's sentiments like these that don't help paint Americans as culturally aware or accepting of others.  As a nation, we pride ourselves on being open and welcoming to all cultures, yet sound insensitive and downright ignorant with comments along these lines.  

Is this journalism or jingoism?  And can we honestly move past such stereotypes?

If China had opened its doors would Mr. Reilly be warning players they would be subjected to eating rice, noodles, vegetables and tofu? That China is dirty, polluted and happens to share a border with North Korea, Pakistan and Afghanistan—just to name a few? 

The decisions we make in life are what define us, not whether you can live without an XBox, Slingbox or a box of Frosted Flakes.

For Deron Williams and those that follow, I offer them the best of luck.  It won't be easy—there will be days and moments that will challenge you, but my sincere hope is that perhaps these players can represent our country with pride and understanding and see this as more than an opportunity to expand their brand awareness to sell shoes. 

Maybe its a long shot, but it's certainly something to shoot for instead of taking aim at each other.