NBA Overseas Rumors: Will Players Actually Go or Is It All Agent Hype?
Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony—the list is extensive and it seems to be growing by the day. The list that I am referring to would be the list of players considering playing overseas during the NBA lockout.
Notice I said "considering" and not "definitively" playing overseas. While there is certainly a list of players who have embraced the idea of changing addresses, at least until the end of the lockout, that list of players is markedly smaller than those only "considering" such a drastic change to their lifestyles.
Those who have made the jump include arguably the best point guard in the world in Deron Williams; the always vexing, yet amusing Ron Artest and up-and-coming stars Nicolas Batum and Ty Lawson. While these are all considered household names by the diehard NBA fan, the star power of the rest of the players who have actually made the move is much less flattering.
Players like Von Wafer, Patty Mills, Sasha Vujacic and others have made the move and it certainly seems to make sense, since they can all use the extra money during the work stoppage, but can also use playing overseas as a way to market themselves and receive more playing time.
While the competition isn't talented enough to light a fire in some of the superstars to play against it, that's exactly what makes a move overseas so palatable to so many of the aforementioned role players.
It's nice to see that there is also the occasional superstar, such as Kevin Durant, who is still enthralled with just playing the game and doing it because he loves it, not just because it is a great marketing tool connecting him to fans well beyond the borders of the United States.
Granted, he hasn't signed a contract yet to play overseas, but he did play in an exhibition game over in China with a host of other NBA superstars, such as Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose. So, while many are open to the idea, he seems to be trying it on for size to see if he enjoys it.
While many players and fans have viewed the lockout with cynicism, Durant seems to view it with an optimistic fervor and a chance to get in touch with the roots of basketball. First he's dropping 66 points in Rucker Park and showcasing his scoring abilities in Dyckman, two of New York's prized Street-ball courts. Then you hear he's playing in an exhibition game in China with a bunch of other NBA superstars. He's everywhere.
While I am not expecting a group of NBA superstars to parade over to Europe, there is certainly going to be a host of role players, as previously mentioned, to whom the idea makes a ton of sense.
As far as the superstars go, if I had to pick one to play overseas next, I think Durant would be the guy, simply because his love of the game is so genuine and tangible—and for the first time in a while it doesn't seem to have any hidden agenda behind it.
Durant is fast becoming the face of the NBA, although LeBron is still the most talented player.
The reason is simple: There's just something about Durant that's different in an exciting way. He still seems to have that same enthusiasm that you see so many players with on Draft Night.
The difference between him and the average NBA player is that his enchantment has yet to be dashed away by the cursed gifts of money and fame like so many others before him.
Durant seems to have taken it upon himself to make a basketball pilgrimage all over the United States, and even beyond its borders, as well to stay connected with the game he has forged a love story with.
While their are certainly other players that may make the decision to play overseas, Durant seems poised to be the most intriguing player to make the move next.
Also check out one of my most recent articles which ranks the top 10 players to already make the move overseas: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/806824-nba-lockout-ty-lawson-and-the-10-best-players-to-play-overseas.
