NBA Lockout: Players Should Think Twice About Playing Abroad

Imagine being paid to visit Rome, Athens, Madrid and Berlin and getting to stay in some of the nicest hotels along the way. For many of us, the chance to travel Europe and play basketball is an absolute dream. But for NBA players, life abroad isn't as wonderful as it's made out to be. 

Not only is life hard adjusting to new cultures and the differences in the style of basketball, playing in Europe comes with seriousness risks that many players, especially younger ones, can't afford to take.

Turns out there is nothing like the good US of A. 

Here are the five reasons NBA players should tough out the lockout here at home. 

5. Culture Shock

Already, several NBA stars have signed to play overseas and have come back early. San Antonio Spurs Dejuan Blair returned after just four games in Russia. Earl Clark of the Orlando Magic signed a contract to play in China, but changed his mind before ever playing a game and Pistons forward Dajuan Summers is heading back to the States after a few months.

While many factors contributed to their decisions not to stick it out, culture shock had a lot to do with it. Many, especially younger NBA players, have never been outside the US or Canada. In Summers' case, he had never been to Europe and found Sienna—the city where he was based in—to be "kind of slow-paced."

For all three players (and presumably many other NBA'ers oversees), the language barriers can also present difficulties and leave players feeling like they don't fit in or belong.

Then there is the fact that while the accommodations are still comfortable by most standards, they are not as luxurious as what they are used to.

In his interview with Yahoo Sports, Summers complained of long bus rides and two players sharing a room with twin beds.

Spoiled? Perhaps, but after a few years of riding private planes and staying in suites at the Four Seasons, you try and downgrade to a three-star hotel.... 

4. The Game Is Different

Until most players have played abroad, they often don't have a full understanding of just how different the game really is. Just ask Deron Williams, who so far has struggled playing overseas in Turkey.  

European leagues are more team oriented and rely less on talented individuals. Unlike the NBA, European teams run rigidly structured systems that limit a players freedom. 

Games are more physical, the game prioritizes skill over athleticism (opposite in the NBA) and there are enough differences such as the trapezoidal lane, 3-point line and the like that can cause fits for players accustomed to the rules of the NBA.

As we've seen in the World Championships, even America's top players have struggled to adapt at the international level. 

All of this can lead to miserable experiences. In worst case scenarios, struggling to fit into the system leads to a player riding the bench leading to a lost year.

In a best case scenario, mastering the Euro system leads to a slow start and re-adjustment when the NBA finally starts up again.

Either way, the upside of learning a new system and skill set is less than one would think and has negatively consequences as well. 

3. Players Fall out of the Stoplight

It's little wonder that few star players other than Deron Williams have left for overseas. Besides not needing the money, there is also the fact that in going overseas, you tend to lose relevance. With football, hockey and now college basketball, we fans aren't going to follow Deron Williams as he travels to the corners of country to play in tiny gyms against other irrelevant Turkish opponents. We just don't care.

Players thinking about going abroad should consider this. If the reasoning is to gain exposure (aside from international exposure, which is really only for the top players building their global brands), then players should reconsider.

Think about it. Have you heard more about Deron Williams playing in actual meaningful games or about Rucker Park pickup games? Which has received more highlights on ESPN?

Stars like Durant, LeBron and Wade, of course (all whom have discussed going abroad, but incidentally, have not followed through).

Even though the charity pickup games are not serious or structured, the best talent and best chance to show off your skills is still in America. 

If going abroad is driven by money, well... go to the next slide. 

Sidenote: Props to Deron Williams. According to this article here, Deron Williams is going about playing abroad with a great attitude and better reasoning. He seems smart, worldly and humble enough to know his presence doesn't change the entire team or league. He should be commended for not thinking he's a hot-shot and for learning and getting the most out of a rough-transition. 

2. The Money Is Not Nearly as Good

During a lockout, any money is good, right?

Yes and no. Of course, for players short on money and needing to pay off that third Escalade or new beach house, playing in Europe is a godsend. 

But European salaries aren't nearly as rich as NBA ones. 

The NBA's ridiculous $5.15 million average salary is the highest in professional sports and one that, if the NBA is going to turn profitable, will have to come down.

Quick side note: The fact that an average NBA player makes more than three million per year more than the average football player and $2.5 million more than the average hockey player is simply ludicrous and tells you just how screwed up the previous bargaining agreement was.

It's also another reason why the owners are to fault for the current mess. Their demands that the revenue sharing be close to 50-50 is fair, but they got themselves into this mess by paying players $5.15 million a year in the first place.

In Europe, salaries are far lower. The top players make in the two-three million range in Euros (four to five million dollars), but most players salaries fall well below a million dollars.

To most of us, several hundred thousand dollars is still an outrageous amount of money, but the hazards associated with taking such deal should make players weary. Which brings us to the biggest reason players should think twice about signing abroad: risk of injury. 

1. Injury

Depending on the agreements, participating in certain "risky" activities can annul a player's NBA contract. Riskier activities such as skiing, playing other sports, racing cars, fill in hazardous sport here ___, are outlawed by teams hoping to protect their investments.

Rarely does pick-up basketball make the list. Playing abroad, however, often does. Given the lockout voids contractual obligations, it's hard to imagine that NBA teams would have much legal recourse in taking action against a player once the season begins, but why risk it? More importantly, why jeopardize your future by suffering a serious injury abroad that could cause you to miss significant playing time down the road.

For most players, playing in Europe is not a career move. It's certainly not a step up. Instead, Europe is a stop-gap measure to make a little bit of money (compared to what players normally make), keep active and play competitive basketball until the NBA resumes. 

I'd imagine given all the opt-out clauses, that most players don't see themselves in Europe for more than a few months to a year. Therefore, factoring in all the other inconveniences, is it worth it to risk a mult-million dollar payout (especially if you are a free agent) for a couple paychecks and a new experience?

As fans, we'd say absolutely. Players should say no.