Originally Posted by gstelmack (Post 2108473)

Here's my question: did Rubio put his name in for the NBA draft, or do the NBA folks just draft whoever they feel like from the foreign ranks? I don't know how that works. If it's the latter, than good for Rubio. If the former, WTF did he put his name in in the first place if he had no intentions of playing? It's my understanding that it's the latter, and he's being a crybaby because the Knicks didn't pick him. If the Spanish leagues are so awesome and the right place for him to play, he shouldn't have entered the draft in the first place.

Originally Posted by Chief Rum (Post 2108478)

It's the former. You have to apply to be in the draft (and assuming you're eligible).

Originally Posted by Samdari (Post 2108501)

I think they are automatically eligible the calendar year they turn 23, otherwise they apply for early entry just like the US college kids.

Originally Posted by Samdari (Post 2108501)

I think they are automatically eligible the calendar year they turn 23, otherwise they apply for early entry just like the US college kids.

Originally Posted by Icy (Post 2108515)

Yup, that is, every foreign player becomes automatically eligible when he reaches 23, but in this case it was Rubio, probably misguided by his USA agent Fegan, who declared himself.

If i'm correct, Fegan is known for doing that kind of things and had the same problem a year or two ago with another player, i'll have to google it.

Again i think that the problem have been both his parents and his agent. Remember they were his parents too who signed that stupid contract with the huge buyout clause with DKV when he was earning peanuts as he was only 16 years old and was not allowed to sign it himself. Also by all that i have been reading in the Spanish press (that is also criticizing him) i think they are the ones wanting him under their wings and playing in Spain.

Originally Posted by whomario (Post 2108426)

that is simply not accurate.

NBA > ACB
Premier League >>>>>>>> MLS

I´m sorry, but this is now really not a valid cross-comparison. Not trying to bash the MLS here, but just compare the structure and what type of players make up the majority of the Rosters.
It is not nearly as desirable for a good Euro to go to the NBA than an offer from any european club of Italy, spain, england, germany and half a dozen other countries would be for any MLS player.


fixed it for you. In Europe, which is where propably 10 of the best 15 national teams worldwide come from and where an equal percentage of basketball player/fans are outside the US, the Euroleague is more popular and more widely covered than the NBA.

What do NBA Fans in China matte to an european player ? :confused:

You are just wrong about the status of the NBA outside of the US. In every basketball country in Europe the domestic league is much more important than the NBA.

And by your logic ever player staying an extra year or two in College chickened away from Competition ? Tim Duncan not a competitor anymore ?

It might very well be argued that declaring for the draft and then not coming is a mistake and not "honourable" but not going at 18 sure isn´t a problem or flaw of any kind. And as said i am convinced that him declaring was more an agent´s move.

Originally Posted by whomario (Post 2108426)

that is simply not accurate.

NBA > ACB
Premier League >>>>>>>> MLS

I´m sorry, but this is now really not a valid cross-comparison. Not trying to bash the MLS here, but just compare the structure and what type of players make up the majority of the Rosters.
It is not nearly as desirable for a good Euro to go to the NBA than an offer from any european club of Italy, spain, england, germany and half a dozen other countries would be for any MLS player.

Originally Posted by Big Fo (Post 2108571)

I would be interested to see how the best ACB teams (not to mention the mid-table ones) would do in the NBA playing with proper rules and a grown-man three point line. 20 wins maybe? We'll never know for sure but I think the talent difference between the leagues is a lot bigger than you have implied (unless you were talking more about money and prestige than on-court stuff).