Idle Hands: NBA Players Find Ways to Keep Busy
Posted on 26. Jul, 2011 by JC Azevedo in In the Paint
With the NFL lockout seemingly a thing of the past (at least for another decade), the NBA is still in the trenches, ready for a long battle to restructure its economic model. Without a guaranteed job for this season, and with restricted access to team resources during the lockout, many players are finding other ways to stay active, including heading overseas.
Several high profile NBA stars have made public comments about their willingness to go overseas, but some are putting words into action. The AP has reported that NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant’s representatives are in negotiations to join the Turkish club Besiktas, where his Team USA running mate and New Jersey Nets star point guard Deron Williams has already agreed to play. Zaza Pachulia of the Atlanta Hawks has also agreed to join Besiktas. Other NBA players such as Sasha Vujacic, David Anderson, Chris Quinn, Sonny Weems, Hilton Armstrong, and Timofey Mozgov have chosen to take their talents overseas to continue their careers, and for some, it’s their best chance to remain professional basketball players.
Other big names are still open the possibility of leaving the country to play. All-NBA stars Dwyane Wade and Dwight Howard have expressed their willingness to play elsewhere during the lockout. “If there’s an opportunity there, I’d consider it,” said Wade. Howard, Orlando’s franchise center, wasn’t forthcoming with details, but he did mention: “there’s a huge possibility about me going to China or me going overseas to play basketball.”
But while some players are planning the next stages of their careers during this lull in NBA basketball, others are finding the time to enjoy other activities. Minnesota star Michael Beasley was arrested on June 26th for marijuana possession after police stopped him after reportedly driving over 80 mph in a 65 mph zone. This marks yet another instance of a drug-related issue with Beasley, who has previously received drug rehabilitation treatment as a member of the Miami Heat. But not all players have trouble keeping busy.
Many players are participating in camps, which is common during the off-season, but some are also playing in pro-am leagues. Kobe Bryant, after going to Germany to get treatment on his ailing knee, seemed fine throwing down a 360 at his 2011 Kobe Academy at UCSB.
Thanks to Imadoggydogg for the video.
In addition to summer activities of active players, two NBA star centers have announced their retirement from the league. Both Shaquille O’Neal and Yao Ming have decided to end their NBA careers this summer. Shaq, not surprisingly, has signed on as the latest addition of the TNT crew to join the outspoken Charles Barkley, who together will surely bring some entertaining conversation as well as keep the censors working overtime. Shaq has been one of the league’s most recognizable stars and one of the biggest personalities on and off the court during his 19 seasons. Fans have enjoyed his unabashed comments and sense of humor, so the prospect of having him in the booth on TNT has many fans eager to continue to follow the Big Broadcaster.
As for Yao Ming, continuing health problems have caused him to retire from NBA basketball. In a statement made at his retirement press conference, Yao specified the repeated stress fractures in his left foot as the primary reason, but won’t let that stop him from continuing to be around the game. He may work with his former team in China, the Shanghai Sharks, as well as continue with his charity, the Yao Ming Foundation. No doubt, the NBA would like to keep Yao involved in some capacity as he is an international mega-star and did a lot for the NBA in expanding into the Chinese market. Yao played 486 games over 8 seasons, being chosen as an All-Star all 8 times, and making the All-NBA team five times.
With no CBA in place, and teams facing a $1 million fine if they contact, or even speak of, NBA players, the new crop of rookies are finding it more difficult to get their careers started. Not only do they not have access to team resources and facilities, but having no summer league in which to play has forced rookies to stay in shape with trainers or in smaller pro-am leagues (such as LA’s Drew League), but that is still no substitute for becoming accommodated with the coaching staff and teammates.
Derrick Williams, the second pick of the 2011 draft, gives his perspective: “All you can do is stay in shape [and] make sure you stay injury-free since nobody has signed a contract yet…I’m just trying to do what I can.”
All the fans can do is wait. The NBA labor negotiations aren’t showing any signs of being resolved soon, and many feel that the divide between the parties is significant enough to result in a partial season, or even the loss of an entire season of NBA basketball. The league and many teams are cutting back on staff, sending people to the unemployment office instead of to the box office. There’s one thing we know for sure: there are no winners during a lockout.
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- NBA Lockout Rumors: Should NBA Players Just Shut Up and Take Less Money?
- Walt Bellamy: One of the greatest Rookies (and Players) of All-Time
- Hands Down
- New York Knicks: 15 Ways Amar’e and Co. Can Make Noise In The Playoffs
