Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
David Stern weighed in on Brandon Jennings's overseas adventure in a Sunday New York Times article. You can decide whether his reaction was positive, dismissive, or both:
"I actually think it's a pretty cool thing for a kid to do what he's doing," Stern said. "There's a big world out there. If you want to play for Rome as opposed to Arizona, go ahead and do what you think is best. It's a positive development for kids and for the N.B.A. scouts."Stern doesn't want his league flooded with untutored high school kids. And he likes the name recognition that comes with college stars. Hence, the strong alliance with Myles Brand, and the reasons to not want everyone to do what Jennings has. But he's also fixated on the NBA's international future. So if the likes of Brandon Jennings can go to Europe, get seasoned there, and come to the States with a huge, devoted fan base in Europe, that's not worse than college. Just different.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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he needs to quit with his arrogant thinking. i thought he might have learned a lesson..
by brooks36 on Oct 6, 2008 4:57 PM EDT reply actions
I liked the old system better, with the 18 year old NBA wunderkinds and the seriously weakened college system.
by L'etat, c'est moi on Oct 6, 2008 5:03 PM EDT reply actions
brooks, Stern didn’t say anything arrogant this time. I actually agree with him about this issue.
by hoopsrock5050 on Oct 6, 2008 8:10 PM EDT reply actions
He is being a little arrogant that his league is beyond competition. International players have come a long way since 1992. It’s a matter of time before the league has serious competition overseas. Stern can’t predict the economy in America either.
I always thought his relationship with the NCAA was not in the best interest of the league. It’s like the president of the players association being to buddy. buddy with the commisioner. The D league should be in direct competition with the NCAA for the sake of the NBA.
by ChickLives on Oct 7, 2008 10:46 AM EDT reply actions
uh, peaches…you say that same bs when Lebron is offered 50 mill like some people are thinking a european team will do when he’s a free agent. you think he’s going to turn down 50 for one year out of the nba?? get real. you lose a top guy like him, even for a year, and i think you’ll understand how stupid your thinking is. they need to offer players something more over here. cuz if the economy goes down the pooper the way it is now, there’s a very VERY good chance some top guys will leave the nba for a quick rich deal, even its for a year or two. it could become a big big problem and stern will have to answer all the questions AFTER they sign, not prepare themselves like they should be doing BEFORE they become free agents.
by Gimy on Oct 7, 2008 1:51 PM EDT reply actions
This is about players going to Europe for one year instead of opting for the NCAA. Read the thing through: I describe Childress’s impact as "bittersweet." And CL, I think you raise an interesting questions about the relationship between the D-League, NCAA, Europe, and the NBA. At least two, if not three, of these are going to overlap in the New Stern Order. Some could be combined, but there’s really no way to, say, make the D-League a part of a EuroLeague.
by bethlehemshoals.tsn on Oct 7, 2008 1:58 PM EDT reply actions
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