this years NBA finals are proof of that.

Lakers in 5.

I think Kobe will play at least five more seasons. So I don’t think he’s at the tail end of his career. Even so, I think it would be a terrible move for him to leave at this point. He would be wasting the final years of his prime in the Euroleague.

I know you focused on the LeBron angle of this blog, and that’s understandable. But how do you feel about the main idea of this blog, and this that a Euroleague could nab the ‘Next LeBron’ before he even graduates from high school? Do you think that’s possible? Do you think that’s something the NBA should be concerned about?

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oh, i’m right…..

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yes, the idea of lebrooklyn leaving cleveland is always a hot topic. basketball writers all over the place are just dying to give lebron mountains of accolades, but simply don’t seem to be able to bring themselves to do it as long as lebrick is in the 216. (how’s that arena coming along in brooklyn?)

ESPECIALLY THOSE AT ESPN: stephen a. smith, skip bayless, ric bucher, and you.

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don’t mention it.

“iconic players bolt from their current situations when they are at THE END of their careers and trying to cash out, NOT when they are just about to peak.”

I don’t think Kobe is at the end of his career yet.

“all logic goes right out the window when you start talking about KOBE!! and or lebron.”

You may be right.

“i am of the opinion that you would be best to leave those two alone and write about everything else.”

Appreciate the advice. But it’s a hot topic. The blog I wrote yesterday was linked to by ESPN, so it generated a fair amount of interest.

“just trying to help.”

I appreciate that.

iconic players bolt from their current situations when they are at THE END of their careers and trying to cash out, NOT when they are just about to peak.

all logic goes right out the window when you start talking about KOBE!! and or lebron.

i am of the opinion that you would be best to leave those two alone and write about everything else.

just trying to help.

KOBE!!

Rooster, can I call you Rooster? :)

I’m not applying a double-standard to Kobe and LeBron. If Kobe was LeBron’s age, I wouldn’t put it past him to head to Europe for the chance to earn $100 million over two seasons. But Kobe is 30 years old. The clock is ticking on his time in the NBA. James could play two years in Europe and return before he hits his prime.

And let’s forget James’ business aspirations. Like it or not, he’s focused on more than basketball. He wants to build a brand and become a billionaire. The Euroleague can help him accomplish those goals.

I’m not saying it’s okay for anyone to be strictly money motivated. Where did I say that?

In fact, I said the exact opposite in my blog about James today.

I took issue with the rumors that had Elton Brand signing with the Warriors for more money because I felt Elton had a greater opportunity to win with the Clippers. But Elton took less than a max deal for an even greater chance at success with the Sixers.

I wouldn’t condone or fault Kobe or LeBron for playing in Europe. But given Kobe’s age — I think he’s less likely to play in Europe than LeBron.

I haven’t seen any video of Kobe talking about playing in Europe. I can only go off the quotes, and him asking a reporter if he was the owner of a team in Russia spoke volumes to me. I don’t think his response was meant to be taken literally.

But I could be wrong. I guess we’ll find out.

of course you don’t put “too much weight into KOBE!!’s comments”…….

yet you write another blog about james going to play overseas.

LOL!

so you are saying it is OK for mamba to be strictly money motivated but not james?

you slay me. you are nothing more than an immature hoodrat, and today’s worst person on the internet.

I know this won’t come as a surprise, but I’m not putting too much weight into Kobe’s comments.

Here’s another link where he discusses playing in Europe:

http://english.sport-express.ru/summary/1_2938/

Asked if, like many of his fellow NBA stars, he would consider moving to Europe to play, Bryant answered very straight-forwardly. “Of course. By the way, are you the owner of a Russian team? It can be arranged for $40 million per year.”

“I would love Kobe to come to Duke University to play for me,” added Krzyzewski. “I can’t offer him that kind of salary, but he would receive a university diploma instead.”

Kobe is at a different stage of his career than LeBron is. LeBron could sign a two-year deal and return before he hits his prime. Kobe is going to be 30 years old in a few weeks.

But the league would sure be alarmed if Kobe Bryant wasn’t joking when he told reporters after a pre-Olympic exhibition game: “Italy, Greece, Russia, $40 million a year? Yeah, I’m there, as simple as that.”

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“You cut the check,” Bryant said, “and I will bring my Nike checks.”

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these comments come directly from the mouth of god. not from a source close to god.

would love to hear your thoughts, maybe even right a blawg about it.

What if the American dollar and EURO are equal in value?

A lot of things can happen. Look, I understand it’s a global market. And I’d be stupid to think that basketball in the world–which is really only second to soccer–won’t ever manifest to a point it’s like the global soccer setup. Sure, I can totally see basketball leagues in every country with stars from all over playing in different countries, etc. One day.

But I think we’re really far away from that. I mean, there are so many other variables at play. Stuff like language/cultural barriers. What about the instability of the countries, let alone the leagues and teams (it’s well-documented that often teams don’t follow-through on their contracts).

Then there’s the talent issue. It’s not like we’re on a level playing field. The best players overseas are role players in the states, and the best American players are stars overseas. The NBA has more to lose than gain from quality guys leaving the states. At some point, if it becomes an issue, I’m sure Stern will make adjustments.

But overall, the NBA is THE LEAGUE. Brandon Jennings, whomever, will always want to be HERE. And Stern knows that, and I’m sure he is happy as hell youngsters like Jennings will mature in Italy before ultimately entering his league.

We’ll see what happens.

Remember the U.S. economy is in shambles right now, the NBA is rebuilding after a God-awful Darius Miles era, etc. There’s a lot at play.

Childress by the way will be the best player in Greece next season. Watch.

It’s going to happen fellas. If not LeBron, than someone else. It’s only a matter of time. We’re talking $50 million dollars, tax free.

Here’s how it works: http://slamonline.com/online/2008/07/links-dollars-and-sense/

SLAM: One thing we’ve talked a lot about is contracts in Europe being tax-free, or the team pays the tax. How does that work?

TANNER (Childress’ agent): The way it works is that the team pays the tax in that jurisdiction, and then at the end of the year they issue a certificate to the player that he can then apply against US taxes. Depending on where he’s playing overseas, that would dictate how much tax is paid on his behalf, and then depending on where his state of residence is in the US, that dictates how much of an offset that overseas tax would make against his US taxes. A player is still responsible for his domestic taxes, both federal and state, but he gets to offset those taxes against what’s been paid for him overseas.

I’ve lived overseas for 15 years. Except for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, which amounts to $85,700, your non-US income is taxable. Now, $85,700 is a fair chunk of change for you and me, but for Mr. James, that’s chicken-feed. Unless he’s planning on simply not filing and/or not getting caught (well, he’s shot his chances on that working by making this public statement) or changing his nationality (which you’re effectively fined for now-a-days), his tax burden isn’t appreciably less in Europe than it is in the US.

Can anyone enlighten me on how this “tax-free dollars” thing makes sense? Is there some sort of “really high-income sports guy” exclusion that I’ve never heard of? If so, well, I’m gonna practice so that I can be a big star someday!