NBA Lockout: It's Time to Stop Talking About Superstars Playing in China
With the NBA lockout threatening to eviscerate the 2011-2012 season, there has been speculation that numerous high-profile players might take their basketball talents overseas. Some like Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Amar'e Stoudmire and Dwayne Wade have even been linked with the globe’s most populous nation—China.
Of course, any prospective plans might stop after the Chinese Basketball Association’s recent announcement that they will forbid players with existing NBA contracts from joining their league and only allow those who commit for a whole season. However, there are reports that some teams could ignore the rule and continue with plans to throw boatloads of cash at some of the NBA’s brightest stars.
China’s large population and booming economy are both enticing factors for NBA players, especially for those who want to expand themselves as a brand name. Some might look at the success Stephon Marbury’s had both on and off the basketball court and imagine they could easily match or surpass that.
Marbury would vehemently disagree with that though.
In an interview with the New York Post, the former all-star point guard noted that NBA superstars—aside from Kobe—wouldn’t be able to deal with China's culture or without the luxuries they’re accustomed. The artist formerly known as Starbury even said he once had to walk, along with his teammates, two miles carrying a giant suitcase just to arrive at a train station.
How many NBA players—let alone superstars—would put up with that?
Oh, and there’s this whole brawl thing that happened the other day.
As you probably already know, the Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball team recently arrived in China as part of a goodwill tour. The game against the Bayi Rockets, who are owned by the Chinese military, was their second exhibition matchup since arriving in the country. The tied contest ended with nine and half minutes left after a riot-like fight erupted, which even included non-players getting in on the action and fans throwing water bottles and trash at the Hoyas as they exited.
Good will, eh?
The Associated Press reports that this wasn’t the first time Chinese Basketball players have engaged in on court physical alterations, including needing to pay fines by both the Asian and world federations for their indiscretions.
Remember this skirmish against the Brazilian national team last year?
To be fair, the Bayi team did try to reconcile with Georgetown when the Big East squad was departing from the Beijing airport. Numerous Chinese basketball fans also lashed out against the team’s unruly actions.
Still, after taking all the factors into account—aggressive and angry players, violent coaches, an oppressive communist government, no opt-out clause, no NBA players with current deals allowed and a major downgrade in luxury—it appears time to dispel rumors of any NBA superstars taking their talents to China.
