Stevc Dilbeck writes in the L.A. Daily News that Kobe Bryant may decide to leave the NBA and sign with a European club. Our good friend Sonny Vaccaro agrees this is a distinct possibility. Sonny said on a local LA sports talk radio show: "I think there is a great possibility, if for no other reason than he will make his value worth much more than anyone can imagine. For the first time, they'll actually be in competition.” Sonny added that money might not be the problem most Americans might think it is, adding, “Some of the owners in Europe have more money than the majority of owners in the NBA. It's a small number, but it's a fact. They're billionaires. The trouble with America is we think they're penny-ante. They're not. These individuals are very wealthy. They can do this."If Kobe does decide to make the move across two ponds, it will shake the NBA to its foundation. What’s more, it will surely be the death knell to the one and done rule which forces capable and ready 18 year olds from signing with a professional club until they serve one year down on the NCAA farm.
The current NBA eligibility rules seem to discriminate against ready and able American players. If a European high schooler, or the equivalent, signs with a professional club on the continent, he then becomes eligible for the NBA draft. On the other hand, an American who leaves high school and plays professionally in Europe for a year still is not eligible for the NBA until he turns 19. The NBA offers no reason for the distinction, but I suspect it is to encourage the signing of European players so as to make the league more attractive to the global market.
If the flow of star players starts to go the other way across the Atlantic, however, the NBA may have to rethink the plan to keep the future Kobes and Lebrons from deferring their dreams for a year just to satisfy the moguls over at the NCAA.
