Superstar treatment is even more pronounced in Europe.
by Kevin Owens / @Waiting4Godunk
While grooming the sweet mustache I am growing for my Movember to Remember contest, I overheard an ESPN analyst say that Allen Iverson postponed his debut for Besiktas because he felt he wasn’t yet in shape. This coming a few days after his delayed arrival because of a missed flight. That is when I truly realized the double standard that exists between superstars like Iverson and every other player in Europe.
Now obviously there are some small discrepancies amongst the talent pool overseas. Some players are on the cusp of the NBA and some, like Iverson, already have NBA experience. A select group of players are just looking to postpone the real world for a few more years. Still you would be surprised how close in talent the majority of European imports truly are. I have friends who make $150,000 a month and some who make $1,500, yet they are not that different talent-w
ise. Iverson will make nearly $300,000 a month…like I said, discrepancies.
Now don’t get me wrong, Iverson is incredible. Being a Sixers fan my entire life, I’ve developed an appreciation for AI and all he has done for this city. That being said, at 35, he is not the same Iverson. It’s not a knock; it’s just a fact of life. Duncan is not the same Duncan, Nowitzki is not the same Nowitzki… I am not the same Kevin Owens (I’m better). Ask a handful of American point guards currently playing overseas, if they think they can compete with an aging Iverson. I guarantee they all respond with a “yes.”
The problem is amongst this handful of players, none would have made it to Turkey. Once they missed their flight, the team would have told them, “Thanks but no thanks.” And if by some stretch of the imagination they were given a second chance, yet showed up out of shape, they would then be given their pink slips. And I get it, Iverson sells tickets. Every game Besiktas plays this year will be sold out. Every Turkish Cup game, every regular-season game and every Euro Cup game will be at max capacity. But understand, they are paying him $2 million a year… and are playing in an arena that only holds 3,200 fans.
Iverson will also get a share of the advertising revenues, not to mention performance bonuses. In addition, he will receive a luxury car, live in a luxurious apartment all while not paying luxury taxes. I spoke briefly to my agent about such a deal for myself; however, the phone cut out midway through in what he describes as “reception issues.” Overall, in terms of the European Market, this is a cherry deal.
But don’t be surprised if by Christmas, Iverson is back stateside. Even the most experienced European veterans can encounter culture shock when traveling abroad, let alone Iverson…especially to Eastern Europe. I am aware Iverson turned down an offer in China for similar reasons. I am predicting these two factors play a role in his decision to leave Europe within the year.
Let’s start with the extremely passionate fans. They are on their feet the entire game chanting and waving flags. Occasionally the passion spills on to the court. My brother, who played for Galatasaray — a team in the same league as Besiktas — told me a story about a game against an arch rival in which police lined the rows separating one set of fans from the other. While walking off the court a large faucet, ripped from one of the bathrooms, was hurled in his direction by the opposing fans. Thankfully it missed its intended target, crashing to the hardwood just feet away. Now I assure you, if AI gets pelted with a large piece of piping, he will be on the first flight home.
Another issue is the playing style. I have seen first hand the toughness of Iverson and the abuse his body has endured. He has been the recipient of many hard fouls during his NBA tenure. Now he is going to Turkey, a country whose national team is known as the “12 Giant Men.” It is a place where hard fouls go unpunished by local referees. Too many “no call” fouls and Iverson might grow tired of Turkey.
Iverson aside, European teams continue to bend the rules for the so called “superstars” of basketball. The rest of us are held to a sometimes unreasonable set of demands, all while making significantly less than some of our counterparts. Throughout my career, I have always walked on eggshells.
If I was hurt, I played through the pain. Some countries will release you based on injury, then blame another factor such as “performance.” I’ve practiced sick, I’ve practiced hurt and I have never been late. I stay out of trouble and always participate in any community service the team was involved in. All of this while maintaining a strong performance on the court. I have done whatever I could to set a good example for my teammates. But the jackasses who run many European teams don’t care about any of that. They want a name. You’d be surprised at how many “big time” players have jobs based strictly on hype.
So while the Joe Nobodies of European basketball, continue to endure all the B.S. and toe the company line, the superstars are held to a different set of rules. We tolerate the small apartments and unreliable vehicles. We patiently dodge elbows and large pipes while trying at all costs to keep our jobs. I wish that my body developed earlier and I was a highly recruited, overly hyped player. I would then be set for life in Europe.
Kevin Owens is a veteran of overseas professional basketball who also writes for Waiting For Godunk and Hugging Harold Reynolds. You can also catch him on Twitter @Waiting4Godunk.
LATEST NEWS & RUMORS
View all »- SLAM Radio: Epitaphs Out East
- Avery Bradley to Undergo Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
- Jeff Van Gundy Blasts Orlando Magic for Handling of Stan Van Gundy’s Firing
- JR Smith Arrested in Miami Due to License, Then Released
- Kicks: Derrick Williams’ Birthday Sneaker Scavenger Hunt
- Are the Orlando Magic Ready to Trade Dwight Howard?
- Layup Lines: Survival of the Fittest
- Video: Dwyane Wade Was Proud to Wear Hot Pink Pants
- Russell Westbrook Still Bothered By 42 Points Tony Parker Scored on Him
- View All »


Jokes. Good article.
It is true than the situation with European clubs is tough when concerning the arenas and the reaction from fans. Especially here in Greece in the past; during the 80s and 90s it was a battlezone. And still today, the court is an emotional outlet for many disgruntled fans. Players will get comments about their mothers, threats, and objects (especially coins) will be thrown to them when they are performing well on the road.
And yes there is specia treatment. Check out the cases of Walter Berry and Roy Tarpley.
But also there have been superstars that got treated unfairly by the teams. Dominique Wilkins was IMO treated badly, mainly because his playing style didn’t conform with the coache’s idea of basketbal – anyone heard of B. Malikovic? Too much was expected of him; he delivered but douches from Olympiakos will always talk their crap.
All in all it’s a wait and see situation for AI.
And big names always have advantage, in the NBA (and in life) it’s the same. Why do teams still sign contracts to Darko, Kwame or T-Mac??
Oh, and Greece and Turkey have always been a war zone when it comes to fan reactions. I still remember the ’96 Euroleague Final in Paris when the Panathinaikos beat Barcelona with an ilegal block in the last second (it was blocked after the ball had touched the backboard…), as well as many problems with the clock in the last minute of the final… but with the building packed with crazy (not in a positive way) greek fans this is what usually happens here. And if the game is played either in Greece, Turkey, Croatia or Serbia it’s more of the same B.S. But we are use to it.
BTW I bet Iverson is out of Turkey by March, and that being optimistic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_BuvD7ETZY If anyone wants to see some great quality ball I suggest checking out the 2008 final between PAO Athens and CSSK Moscow. Great game.
In my mind there’s NO WAY that Scottie Pippen is a better player than Nique!!!
AI didn’t play much in that game vs Hemofarm, and he had trouble getting in the lane at times. Also got bumped off the ball a lot (mo calls) while dribbling. Main threat was Oglivy, their big man who has great hands btw.
But Allen shot the 3 well and even had a 4pt play late in the game.
Soon as he gets his legs back and maybe 30 mins a game, he’ll do well.
The way I see it this a publicity stunt in which both sides have something to gain other that strictly winning basketball games.
In my opinion he won’t be there by the end of the season, it’s just a matter of when and how he leaves.
—
And yeah this article went COMPLETELY over the heads of some of these commenters. Yeesh.
Comments