SportsNation Blog Archives
Dirk Nowitzki
Ricky Rubio is just one of many. No, not potential point guards for the Timberwolves, although that's also true, come to think of it. Rubio, whenever he gets to the United States on a full-time basis, will be just one of many European athletes starring in North American professional sports leagues.
Everywhere you look, there's a guy with good taste in food, a certain worldly "je ne sais quoi" and jeans that are just a little too tight. Heck, Kobe Bryant makes more sense in Italian these days than Delonte West does in English most of the time.
Where once there was the occasional Swede on skates, there are now Europeans everywhere you look (not applicable to residents of Arkansas). Well, almost everywhere. Scotland's Lawrence Tynes isn't exactly leading an EU assault on the NFL.
- Voters think Russia's KHL unlikely to rival NHL even it expands to Central Europe.
- 'Nation believes young American soccer prospects are better off in Europe.
- Only 11 percent of voters like idea of Super Bowl in London.
“This was such an incredibly stupid draft pick by Minnesota, just horrific. Did they not do their homework at all? This kid is locked into Europe for two more years, because of that buyout. Moreover, the adjustment period of going from Spanish ball to the NBA will probably take another three years. So this horrible team that cannot sell tickets, drafts a guy that will not really pay off at all (if he even does) for five years. Stupid organization!
” -- TorreroX
“Rubio should take a lesson from American athletes. He should go play for Joventut, complain about a nagging injury, put out an embarrassing Youtube video, become a locker-room cancer, and generally become a pain in the ####. Next thing you know they be paying him to leave!
” -- karltkoch
Shaquille O'Neal might not mind spending a winter in Cleveland if it means playing with LeBron James, but perhaps the lure of trading financial security for a chance to wait and see if the same opportunity would present itself in New York a year from now didn't sound so enticing to Steve Nash. Or maybe the fan base in Arizona -- not to mention Grant Hill -- makes him feel all kinds of young.
With news that Nash will remain with the Suns for at least the next three seasons after signing a contract extension, SportsNation is sure the guard's championship window has closed. That might not have been the case had he followed a similar path after the 2003-04 season with the Mavericks , but two MVP awards aren't bad consolation prizes.
- Most of the 'Nation predicts Nash wins more than Mike D'Antoni the next three seasons.
- Nearly three out of four voters think Nash's legacy will top Dirk Nowitzki's.
- An even heftier percentage thinks he has more left than Jason Kidd.
- SportsNation Groups: Phoenix Suns fans | NBA Fanz Only | Dirk's Posse
“You often have to wonder, what is the price tag for giving up your dream. For Steve Nash we know it is now $11 million. (The Price to not pursue a NBA Ring). I don't fault Steve at all. I would take the money in a heartbeat and not think twice. But this is sad that such a great pg who had a fantastic 4 year stretch, will never get that 1 goal that all players seek.
” -- Vikomnla
“I love the suns and Nash but this was a ridiculous decision. The fans in PHX will love it but they are not even close to contenders for a ring. Hey, maybe they'll keep making money and keep the franchise afloat but 22 mill is alot for a 35 year old PG who doesn't play D and has had a bad back for 3 years.
” -- xjrobx
For a guy who made more money than the entire populace of SportsNation pulls down in a year by being two steps ahead of the cutting edge in technology, Mark Cuban sure loves to go retro with his basketball rosters.
With the reported imminent addition of Shawn Marion, the Mavericks look more and more like the best team 2002 ever saw. To be fair, it's not as if Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry and now Marion ceased being good in the decade's early stages. But 2002 was a long time ago -- Avril Lavigne and "Spiderman" long -- and there's a reason 94 percent of voters previously said the Mavs wouldn't reach the NBA Finals during the duration of Jason Kidd's three-year extension.
Adding Marion might bring a few people back to the bandwagon, but if you see Juwan Howard, Shawn Bradley or Nick Van Exel walking around the team facilities, it's time to worry.
- Even with Marion, only 41 percent see Mavs as even borderline contender
- Vote: Vote on the Marion trade and Mark Cuban's reign in Dallas
- Chat: Ask John Hollinger how Marion fits with the Mavericks at 3 ET
- Groups: Dirk's Posse | Dallas Mavericks | LA Laker Haters
“I still dont think this helps out the Mavs too much. Marion might win them 5 reg season games, but will get blown away in the playoffs. This is why the mavs will fold tent in a couple years. not planning on the future and taking Lux Tax hits like this. Kidd was a bad trade a coulple years ago and they are still eating crow.
” -- cory_brock
“Cuban has screwed this team up as much as he can. He is now trying to build an older version of Golden State, an all offensive team that plays no defense and goes nowhere in the playoffs. Just three years ago they had such a nice team, it's a shame.
” -- Torrerox
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