Going Greek: How Josh Childress Leaving the Hawks Impacts the NBA and NCAA

For years the Euro leagues have been nothing but an afterthought to NBA fans. Undrafted rookies or washed up veterans who failed to make the twelve man roster often go to Europe to languish in obscurity as the NBA's version of the CFL. However, with departures of NBA prospects such as Brandon Jennings and players such as Loren Woods, Juan Carlos Navarro, Tiago Splitter, and Bostjan Nachbar have left the NBA for Europe this season. The departure of Josh Childress carries more significance. He is the first American player in line to make big money as a key part of a good team who has decided to ditch the NBA for a Euro league record setting contract. What does this mean for the NBA and basketball? The signings of Brandon Jennings and Josh Childress show the emergence of the Euro league as a competitor of the NBA and NCAA for players. This, in turn, threatens the NBA and NCAA's strength and current structures. Economically, several factors has enabled the Euro league to sign mid-level players. ... (link)