So, we're busy bees over here, preparing a special season preview feature for tomorrow. But sure, we've got time for some breaking news: this is happening! With Paul Pierce's recent talk about playing in Europe after his retirement, could we be seeing the beginning of a huge movement in which aging yet still very talented settle down across the pond? I mean, the benefits are obvious. These guys will get to be stars in different, sometimes more passionate markets. Their families will get the opportunity to travel the world and experience cultural excitement. They will help the increasingly global nature of basketball.
If the answer to my previous question is "yes," all seems to be well and good. But what about this question: Will the future bring a time when European teams can start plucking stars from the NBA while they are still close to their prime? Seems like a silly question right now, but if the MLS is a model, some of these clubs may start being able to offer money and experiences that could be enough to take players away from the League before the League is quite ready to let them go, especially if David Stern's plans for contraction and salary cuts become a reality.
I'm certainly not saying this would be a bad thing. Just saying it could be a thing.
I'd be all for this to become a thing. Especially if guys start going abroad a little sooner. Imagine if Iverson left before he tried to exhaust his legacy and embarked on his Detroit-Memphis-Philly tour of sadness. Could help players bow out a little more gracefully.
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