Dude was a smart ballplayer. He knew what to do, and when to do it (the only problem was that he was not always ABLE to do it). If that last play went a) in or b) to a different player… we would be talking about the shockingly great game JJ played, including that awesomely bad drive (I forget if it tied the game or gave us the lead).

I hope (and think) JJ will be back next year. I think in a team as flux as this team has been, having a guy that understands his role and understands how to play in the NBA is important. He should be something like the 8th guy off the bench and one of the more vocal guys in practices.

I actually think his bad offense is partially due to lack of confidence. Carmelo seemed to be helping with that (which was nice). I’d like to see what happens if they get a pre season together to work things out and give him a little more confidence (not that a full pre season is likely, unfortunately)

I agree that some of the players who go overseas will miss the US. But no one makes it into the NBA without being the sort of person who loves to play basketball and play against the best opposition possible. Kobe isn’t going to mind that every one is coming after him. He will take it as a challenge. A lot of the players are smart enough to know that they need coaching and improvement also. So I don’t think it’s just a negotiating ploy that they are looking there for employment. I don’t know if enough European teams will be willing to hire temporary employees (ones who will return as soon as the US work stoppage is settled) to make a big difference though. What would make a difference is if European basketball was televised here. I’d like that, and the NBA would consider that real competition.

It’s like both sides are looking at the 1999 schedule as the good result, and that freaks me out/pisses me off.

I mean, for crying out loud, people, negotiate!!

Most of me says this is just bluster by the stars to make it seem like they don’t need the NBA. I am pretty sure they have no interest in leaving their cushy maximum-salary lifestyles in the US to go tromping around Europe and exposing themselves to injury.

But it makes me wonder whether the owners are letting the players bluff themselves into a no-win situation. In poker this would be a good player knowing how the other player will play, letting the aggressive bettor drive the pot and twist the knife into themselves when you know you hold the nuts.

If the owners are really willing to lose a season, then I’m sure they would be more than happy to have Kobe in Europe practicing 10x/week, riding old buses, and having officials not treat them like gold. Meanwhile all these european/chinese players will treat every possession against him like the 7th game of the playoffs – no more coasting through regular season games without looking like you just got dunked on by a short chinese dude. Opposing coaches will specifically gameplan to stop these guys – it only helps their image and the image of European/Chinese basketball if they can prevent these “Stars” from coming in and dominating.

My feeling is that if there actually IS an exodus overseas, 5% might really enjoy a new experience, but 95+% of the players who make the move will very quickly be missing the perks of being an NBA player and of living in the US. And suddenly, guaranteed $2billion in salary, private jets, per diems, english-speaking people and family around you, and groupies suddenly don’t look that bad.