Due to the NBA lockout, there is every chance the world’s premier basketball competition will have a late start to the season.
In fact, more dire predictions have the entire 2011-12 NBA season being cancelled.
While many fans mistakenly believe that NBA players are striking for more money, that’s not the case at all. The NBA franchise owners have actually locked the players out, as they claim to be losing money due to the size of player contracts.
Considering it’s the owners who offer the contracts, to then claim the players earn too much money is baffling. The situation is beyond bizarre.
The stand-off has meant that players have explored the option of playing overseas while they wait for negotiations between the players and owners to improve.
Most NBA players don’t need the money, they simply love the game and want to keep playing, and many have therefore already signed for clubs in competitions and leagues outside the US.
The highest profile signing to date has been Deron Williams moving to Turkey, though superstars Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant have also expressed a desire to play abroad.
Australia is one country set to benefit from the lockout.
Australian Boomers point guard Patty Mills, who plays with the Portland Trailblazers, has already agreed to play in the NBL with the Melbourne Tigers.
However, it’s the possible signing of Milwaukee Bucks centre Andrew Bogut that could really ignite the 2011 NBL season.
Bogut is fielding offers from the Sydney Kings, Gold Coast Blaze and Adelaide 36ers, however it is believed the Kings are the frontrunners to sign the big man.
“It is obviously a unique market and the Kings are an icon brand here in Sydney, so Sydney’s definitely a huge chance,” Bogut was quoted as saying after meeting with Kings general manager David Wolf.
While Sydney’s media, corporate world and the Kings brand make the Harbour City the ideal destination for Bogut, the truth is, regardless which NBL club snares the 216-centimetre giant, it will provide a real boost for the league.
Still just 26 years of age, Bogut is a legitimate NBA star.
While a number of Australians have played in the NBA, including Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke and Chris Anstey, they have been role players at best.
Bogut, on the other hand, was the number one pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, and is unquestionably the best player on his team.
He was named to the All-NBA Third team last season, making him the third-best centre in the NBA, and ranked with the top players in the world.
While no one doubts the quality and class of Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton, even the most one-eyed football fan would admit that they are in the backend of their careers, while Bogut is just entering his prime.
He’s also a household name globally and if he decides to ply his trade in Australia, it would substantially lift the profile of the NBL.
Bogut has indicated money will not be an issue, as he is not chasing a big contract. His motivation is a genuine desire to grow basketball in Australia, and his presence in the NBL would most certainly do that.
However, basketball fans shouldn’t rejoice just yet.
There is one major obstacle to Bogut signing with an NBL club: his insurance. Whichever team signs Bogut will need to fork out $500,000 to cover his $40 million NBA contract.
The NBL’s financial struggles have been well documented, and not many clubs have spare athletic tape lying around, let alone a lazy half-million dollars.
The Kings, though, along with the Blaze and the 36ers, remain optimistic of securing Bogut’s signature.
If they do, the NBA’s loss will be the NBL’s gain.
T. Ortiz
Guest
Gotta love how the Kings have trotted out the old "Sydney is the centre of the Basketball Australia universe Andrew, sign for us and it will do great things for the league" line. This is the same line Goorjian used just before the NBL GAVE the Kings three titles in an effort to "re-establish" the sport nationally. Remember Brian telling us, that success in Sydney guarentees the league?? Then three titles and four years later the league basically collapsed. I guess Sydney isn't the centre of the basketball Australia universe after all!? They are now using this same line hoping to hoodwink Bogut. I hope he doesn't go to Sydney, they have had enough of a prop up and if they can't survive on their abilities to sell the game in their state and on the court then they don't deserve squat! This town and this club have had every advantage possible!
Nathan
Guest
Are you american Marco because you are ignorant. Basketball is no way as big as football (not soccer). Just because a sport is more popular in america doesn't make it bigger. World Cup is viewed by billions. Last World Cup had bad viewing and still got a total 32 billion views for all the matches together. By you using 'soccer' I don't even know why I'm arguing with you. There is one league in basketball, NBA and that's it. Even that is dominated by american gridiron. American economy will be finished soon so they are going to struggle for money because that's all that american sport care about anyway. Football (soccer to the yanks) in america is still growing and has slowly passed baseball in participation (attendance,played combined). It may not be viewed as much in america but playing wise it is growing.
Nathan
Guest
There is no doubt Andrew is a star and our best basketballer produced but comparing him to Kewell when Kewell was in his prime because it is unfair judging them considering Bogut is younger and he still has a career ahead of him. But Kewell in his prime at Leeds and Liverpool he was far well known and far outweighed Bogut. Most people in football knew him and we all know how many people watch the sport. Just remember Bogut isn't here to stay or give anything back to basketball Australia just yet, his here because it was the best option while the NBA isn't running. Kewell and Emerton are here to stay and give something back while they can.
Rick
Guest
"The only reason he isn’t more high profile is that he plays for a small-market team." and because he's slow. And boring. And offensively challenged since he tragically destroyed his elbow (44FT%). As much as I respect Bogues as a player, his style of play will do little to bring new fans to the game. If however, he can convince teammate Brandon Jennings to spend a season down under ... THEN I think we'll see an exciting brand of basketball on our shores.
Marco Khoury
Guest
There is no competition. Are there any major gridiron leagues outside of America? Yet the Superbowl is the most popular worldwide sporting event - with the most views in a single day? Go back and put on your pussy soccer boots. BTW - he plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, a team worth billions of dollars alone
Marco Khoury
Guest
On the money Ryan. Besides, having the face of an NBA Franchise come to play in a shut down league dying for attention is absolutely HUGE in any language. Harry Kewell is no longer the player he used to be so how can you put it over him? Basketball is more popular than soccer in america, and America is influential over any country in the world... Therefore basketball reigns.
Jock Mihocek
Guest
Is there still a senior basketball competition in this country? I thought it all fizzled out back in the nineties when Andrew Gaze retired.
Simon
Guest
You can't pay the premium on your own insurance, it's illegal. For obvious reasons, if you think about it for a second.
Tim B
Guest
So... Andrew Bogut has a 40 million dollar NBA contract and the reason he's not signed to a team in the NBL is because someone needs to pay $500,000 as an insurance premium. If Bogut wants to play to raise the profile of the NBL, he can always pay the premium himself rather than depending on others. Although I do appreciate that obviously his presence would raise the brand of whatever team he joins, so their return on investment may be worth it.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Actually, that is not true. Basketball fans (of which there are many) absolutely rate him. The only reason he isn't more high profile is that he plays for a small-market team. He's the third best center in the world, and you don't think Americans rate him? Incredible. As for how many football players in the world there are, there are also more leagues than in basketball. However that is besides the point. Bogut is a star, simple as that.
Nathan
Guest
Kewell was referred to as the best left sided player in world football at his prime. No one hardly mentions Andrew Bogut in the NBA in america and he is barely rated much by americans. There are far more football players in the world than basketball so therefore making it harder to make it to the top.
A1
Guest
I'm always stunned that people comment on a story without reading it. If you'd bothered to read, you'd know who Bogut plays for. And the debate isn't even about which sport is bigger! Everyone admits it's football! Geez!
Jacques
Guest
I can't believe people on here are still arguing which is the bigger sport,football or basketball. When Beckham went to the MLS, he wan't in his prime either but just his name was enough for the world's media to take notice. Same in Aus for Kewell. Does anyone in Aus know who Bogut plays for in the NBA?
Mahony
Guest
That's right - clubs owned by football clubsz, along with their other sorting assets. Football pays the bills though - it is massive.
Midfielder
Guest
Jacques Don't see that myself ... what I see is someone getting very excited about a star coming home... using maybe a poor example but I saw no disrespect to Harry or Bret in Ryan's article... Also your comments on Basketball are a tad hard ... it is a major world sport and in Russia, China, and many European countries is the number two sport behind football... I think that Basketball is the number two world sport TBH ...
JVGO
Guest
All I can say to that is enjoy yourself Fuss, sounds great.
Meh
Guest
This is such a myth it's not even funny. What has Kewell done in his career? Absolutly nothing... Was in and out of the starting lineup at Liverpool and constantly injured. Wasn't anywhere near the best player at as bad club in Leeds and did nothing at Gala. He's a big name in Australia (and Australia only) because the media hyped him up to be something he NEVER was. Bogut was the no.1 pick in the biggest Basketball league in the world, he's the second best center in the world hands down (missed one quarter of the season and was named All NBA 3rd team). He pays for a whole section of the stadium during home games so people who normally couldn't afford to go to games go for free. He pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Perth Wildcats (NBL club) afew years back so they could remain in the league. There's been no media coverage about him playing here cause it's unthinkable in the Basketball world that such a big name would sign in such a bad league. Too long a shot to believe it would happen. IF he does sign you'll hear ALOT about it and there will be way more coverage of the NBL than the A-League, book it.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
"Sorry mate not trying the code war thing but Kwell was rated as in the top five left sides players in the world for a couple of years until he got hurt…" Don't worry about it, I certainly don't want another code war. Anyway, I wasn't aware of that. I knew he was one of the best young players in the EPL, however I didn't realize he was THAT good. :D "But these are silly arguments…. Both are very talented …both will have an impact on their sports … read my post a few post below for my overall comments … but Harry was that good …" So true. :D
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Perhaps he was, perhaps he wasn't. For some reason, I'm not going to take your word for it. "It’s embarrassing when non-football people try to educate football people on issues pertaining to the Beautiful Game." I agree I also think it is embarrassing when non-Australian football people like you try to educate Australian football people like me on issues pertaining to the Greatest Game. Your hypocrisy is extraordinary. Here's a tip. If you want to be taken seriously, stop being a hypocrite. You want soccer to be given more respect? Then give respect to other football codes. You want Association Football to be called by its proper name? Then call Australian Football by its proper name. You want 'non-football people' to stop attempting to 'educate football people' on issues relating to soccer? Then cease with the stupid and offensive posts, such as the one where you questioned my football knowledge and had the temerity to educate me on issues relating to football! You write posts in which you question the knowledge of Australian football fans and in which you attempt to educate them, and you complain when the same thing happens with your sport? Either stop being a hypocrite or just get over it. "So I won’t have the temerity to make any comment about Bogut’s standing in world basketball and I’ll accept the views of basketball experts." I take it that you're implying that non-football people shouldn't make any comment about Kewll's standing in world soccer, and should accept the views of soccer experts? Well, not only do you not have any idea what knowledge I have or don't have about soccer, and as such I will not be advised by you as to whether I should comment on Kewell, but if I were to consult a soccer expert, it wouldn't be you.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
"Amazon, you are pretty game arguing that AB is definitely the number one, but good on you. It is a great achievement to lead the NBA in blocks. But I think it is pretty arguable that Bogut is at least as famous world wide as Harry Kewell." I can not believe I wrote that. That was actually a typo! :D I meant to write the third best center in the world. Dwight Howard is the best, and Andrew Bynum (when healthy) is the second best. Yeh, I love Bogut, however I would never suggest that he is the best center in the world.