10 Feet High

The NBA could be in serious danger.

Europe can now offer what the NBA cannot.

The NBA revolves around its superstars. It needs them. But what if premier players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Dwayne Wade start thinking about Europe, the land of no salary cap and fewer regular-season games?

In the past few years, we have noticed a developing theme in the basketball world. NBA players are beginning to take their services to Europe where they can make more money and experience the European lifestyle. Jannero Pargo, Carlos Arroyo and Josh Childress were the three biggest names to do so this past off-season (excluding high schooler Brandon Jennings), and others seem inclined to make the leap as well. I know what your thinking. Losing second-rate players doesn’t matter. None of the marquee names has jumped ... at least not yet.

Last summer, rumors circled around that LeBron James had spoken with European teams and would strongly ponder taking his game overseas if he were offered a $50 million per year deal. When asked if he would consider such a deal himself, Kobe Bryant said: “I'd go. I'd probably go. Do you know any reasonable person that would turn down 50 (million dollars)?”

Hypothetically speaking, let’s assume Bryant wins at least one more title (he currently owns three rings) in the NBA. When his contract with the Lakers expires in 2011 (assuming he doesn’t opt out), the Mamba will still be just 33 years old - I know, scary huh? - and the lure of the insane moolah and European culture may be just the right combination to poach No. 24 from Hollywood.

Let’s not forget that Kobe spent much of his childhood living in Italy while his dad played professionally. He speaks fluent Italian, loves soccer, and as we know, is a man who loves a challenge. Italy features four teams in the Euroleague, considered to be the second best basketball league in the world, and a hotbed of young talent that has transplanted stars like Manu Ginobili and former No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani into the NBA. In addition, Europe as a whole has only increased as the world’s No. 1 supplier of foreign players, including All-Stars Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol.

Given the increasing popularity of players leaving America, a player of Kobe’s stature following suit isn’t that far-fetched. Europe is an untapped revenue resource for players. This past season, Bryant made $21 million from the Lakers. With the salary cap expected to decrease next year and maybe in the future as well, would he really turn down 50 million as well as the unholy endorsement deals he’d be sure to earn across the pond?

The impact of the NBA salary cap increased significantly in 1999 when the new collective bargaining agreement introduced the concept of the maximum contract. The so-called Bird Rights --- exceeding the cap to retain your own free agent --- still exist but the contract is limited to a fixed percentage of the cap.

Europe doesn’t have max contracts or salary caps, so owners have the luxury of offering a player as much money as they see fit. So you see, minor players leaving like Jannero Pargo and Josh Childress are really just the beginning. Should Bryant or another big name choose to leave, the trickle-down effect for the NBA would be catastrophic. Over the course of his illustrious career, Bryant has become one of those rare players that transcend a generation. He isn’t only one of the best players of our lifetime. He has joined the likes of Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson as rare examples of players with historical relevance.

Now I know David Stern has spoken of possibly expanding the association beyond North America and into Europe, but given the current state of the economy and early stages of such a plan, we have to assume that this remains several years away. The departure of a player like Bryant makes the NBA vulnerable.

Today the Larry O’Brien Trophy is the crowned jewel in professional basketball, but if more quality players leave for Europe, its value and prestige would become less and less meaningful.

Think about like this: even amid the Tim Donaghy allegations, last season’s NBA Finals between LA and Boston were the highest rated in eight years. Fans desperately sought the chance to re-enact the classic Bird-Magic duels of the 80’s, because those series meant more than just a title; they represented everything that was great about the NBA with the best players in the world, and the biggest and brightest personalities. Right now the league is at a crossroads. James is a very easily marketed athlete who seems to understand what the league needs from him, both on and off the floor. He is the clear future of the NBA and the obvious face of the game. Kobe is still the alpha-dog, but he will soon pass the torch to LeBron ... if they stay in America.

If either leaves for Europe, the ultimate prize of an NBA Championship immediately loses its luster and relevance. There is only so much money Kobe or LeBron can earn stateside, and by exporting their talents outside of the U.S., they would instantly add gleam to the Euroleague or any other European Championship. Soon, it would represent the world’s elite talent.

In a recent interview on The Jim Rome Show, Mike Krzyzewski said that the key to the chemistry of Team USA during the Beijing Olympics was when LeBron and Kobe bought in to Krzyzewski’s philosophy. Then he said, the rest of the guys followed suit, and they became a unit. This is the type of impact Bryant is capable of having. If he leaves the NBA to go play in Europe --- even if only for a couple of seasons --- the temptation for others to join him would grow that much stronger. If the NBA suffers such a mass exodus of superstars, the league could soon become obsolete.

Still not convinced this may happen? Well, imagine this: you are told you could triple your salary, get paid in Euros, keep the same job you love, and all you have to do is move to a free mansion somewhere in Europe. Would you say yes? That’s what I thought.