Taurasi to Sit Out WNBA Season; Should Force League to Action

Diana Taurasi will sit out the upcoming WNBA Season.

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  Diana Taurasi made news this week by announcing she wouldn't be suiting up for the WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury for the 2015 season.

  Instead, she is going to rest. But here's the catcher, she's still going to get paid -- by her Russian team, UMMC-Ekaterinburg

  During the WNBA's off-season (which happens to be twice as long as the four-month summer season), Taurasi, like many women's players go overseas to earn a living.

  To protect their investment (UMMC is reportedly paying Taurasi $1.5 million this season) and secure Taurasi for the following season, the Russian club offered to pay her to sit out the 2015 WNBA season.

  Get paid to rest -- not a bad gig.

Two Leagues, Year-Round Seasons
  To be honest, I'm surprised Taurasi/UMMC is the first instance of this happening. The best players in the world play year round, between the WNBA and Europe, Asia or Australia.

  One full season overseas (September-May) is hard enough on your body. Remove the summer months to rest, recover and rejuvenate? I don't know how they do it for an entire year.

  Taurasi has played 10 year-round seasons. That's a lot of wear and tear to put on an aging body, in a cutthroat, short-lived profession.

  I look at what Taurasi has done for 10 consecutive years and say she's made a sacrifice. To play year-round, at the highest level, puts an amazing toll on your body. My body wouldn't have held up for one year-round season, let alone 10.

  This is where I get to why.

Why Play?

Taurasi was the league's MVP in 2009, & two-time Finals MVP.

  Why has she sacrificed? Why do players like Diana Tauarsi, Tamika Catchings, Maya Moore, et al play in the WNBA, when financially it might not make sense? It's not for the money or the glamour of the WNBA. They sacrifice to help the league maintain and (hopefully) grow.

  First, to have the opportunity to play professionally at 'home' has to be an incredible feeling. It's something I was never able to do.

  Secondly, and what I think is most-important, is that they don't want the WNBA to fail.

  Players feel an obligation to the opportunity. The WNBA hasn't always been around, and players want it to succeed. In order for it to succeed, the best players need to be on the court.

  We are just now at the tail end of players' careers who remember a time when there was no WNBA. When there was no viable opportunity to play professionally in the US.

  The the Tamika Catchings, Sue Birds, Diana Taurasis, the Deanna Nolans.

  As we get further away from that generation, there might become a time when the league is taken for granted. When players assume the league has always been here, and will always be here.

  It wouldn't shock me to see more players sit out WNBA seasons to allow their bodies and minds recover from the longer, more financially rewarding overseas seasons. Especially as the younger generation asserts itself.

Moore is one of the top young talents in the league.

  Point blank, it looks bad for the league to have one of its top five players be paid more NOT to play.

  And I don't blame Taurasi. A basketball career is finite, and she's trying to make the most of it financially.

  But it could become a turning point.

Danger Zone?
  Here's what needs to happen -- somehow, someway -- the WNBA needs to find a way for this not to become a trend. Otherwise, they'll be in danger of becoming a second-tier league, or worse, obsolete.

  The players who have sacrificed to help the league, that's still in its infancy, grow, need to see the support from the WNBA in return.

  The WNBA has league maximum and league minimum salaries -- for both veterans and rookies.

  In 2013, the minimum salary for rookies was $35,190. The league's top four drafted players earned at maximum $48,470. Every other rookie, earned between 35k and 48k.

Maya Moore plays WNBA off-seasons in China.

  The minimum salary for a player with three-plus years of experience was $55,000 while the maximum salary for a six-plus year player was $107,000.

  Based on her 10 years of experience, Taurasi is at the 107k maximum. Again, her contract with UMMC is $1.5 million. (Keep in mind, most overseas salaries reported are post-tax earnings, while WNBA are pre-tax.)

  You do the math; what would you do?

LeBron vs. Steve Blake Analogy
  While the WNBA pay scale is a nice idea, it doesn't make sense.

  A 10-year veteran role player, should not earn the same salary as Diana Taurasi --a three-time WNBA Champion, two-time WNBA Finals MVP, three-time Gold Medalist, etc). Why? Because she doesn't bring the same value to the franchise, nor to the league.

  I'll give you an NBA comparison to make it more obvious: Should LeBron James and Steve Blake earn the same salary? (I bet even Steve Blake would say 'of course not!')

  Currently, they're both in their 12th NBA season. So under the WNBA's pay scale, they would earn the same salary. Instead, this season LeBron will earn $20.6 million from the Cavs, while Blake will earn $2.1 million from the Trail Blazers. Seems comparable for what they bring to their teams and to the NBA.

  I'm not here to compare and argue NBA vs. WNBA salaries. They're different animals, and cannot be compared. But if the WNBA is to remain relevant in the women's basketball world, the powers that be must come up with a solution to compensate, and keep its best/most-visible players on their court.

The only uniform you'll see Taurasi in during 2015.

Franchise Tag Solution?
  Franchise tags are used in the NFL, but in a different manner than what I would be suggesting. In this instance, franchise tag means superstar.

  Each of the 12 WNBA teams should be allowed two (?) franchise tags. Teams can then pay those players whatever they deem fair, and either the league raises the salary cap, or franchise tags do not apply towards the salary cap. (The current salary cap for WNBA teams is $913,000.)

  The number of players who garner the Taurasi-types of salaries overseas are very few. Likewise, the number of players who the WNBA should tag as superstars should be just as few. In fact, allowing 24 franchise tags for the entire league might be too many. But that's not for me to decide.

  This is a solution I came up with in 20-minutes, give-or-take a few. There are many other options, and there are people much smarter than I who should be working to find a solution.

  Because as it stands right now, the WNBA needs its superstars exponentially more than they need the WNBA. I certainly don't want to witness the league's demise, but whatever their solution, the WNBA better be working on it ASAP.

LINKS:

WNBA Salaries 2013 Season

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Piazza del Duomo in Milan. 

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  I found myself awake way too early one morning last week -- like 4am early. Not able to go back to sleep, I grabbed my iPad and began checking out the morning news. You know, the important stuff, my Twitter and Instagram feeds.

  One thing led to another, and 15 minutes later I was on Google Maps looking up an address in Milan.

  A NikeLab post got everything rolling. NikeLabs are boutique-like stores in nine locations around the world, Milan being one of them. Since I'd spent so much time in Milan during my two seasons playing in Italy, I was curious where the newly re-branded shop was.

Fiera in Milan.

  Once I located the shop, naturally I wanted to see where it was relative to the places I ran around most in Milan -- the Duomo, the Brera neighborhood (where the NikeLab is located), and Corso Como.

  Before I knew it, I'd scrolled to the north, to Como, trying to remember the route I'd drive to practice every day -- so I could find where our gym was on the map.

  Then I found my first apartment, and the train stations in Como centro. I'd walked to and from the train stations often, as that was a much easier (less stressful) way to get to Milan. The least amount of driving, the better!

Pre game with Nev.

  That took me to where I lived during my second season in a villa just outside of Como (though, I had a little tougher time finding that place). Then to the nearby McDonald's, where my teammate Nev had an unfortunate encounter with the McDrive (drive thru) one evening.

  It's always interesting, the things you remember most vividly. They're not necessarily what you'd think. I spent nearly two years in Italy, and none of my immediate memories are on the basketball court. I'd gone to Italy to play basketball, yet the memories that resonate with me the most, have nothing to do with basketball.

  Of course, I have great memories of basketball moments in Italy. It was the only place I was ever able to win a championship. I played with a group of women who were very passionate about the game, and pushed me to become a better player and more well-rounded person.

Celebrating our championship.

  Practices and games were never uneventful, but that was part of the job.

                                                      

On the Court Growth

  My first two seasons abroad are probably the two that shaped me most as a professional basketball player. The groundwork was laid into establishing the expectations and commitment required to be successful.

View of Lake Como from above -- Mt. Bisbino

  I still think, to this day, had I been on any other team, in any other country, I wouldn't have played 10 seasons overseas.

  I experienced just the right amount of successes and challenges to inspire me to push for more. And I was surrounded by some great teammates who were supportive and great examples to me.

Off the Court Growth
  Italy also gave me my first experiences living in Europe -- as a person, not a basketball player. I spent many an hour in the coffee bar run by two of our fans. 

  The internet connection at my apartment was challenging, and I had 11 TV channels that were all in Italian -- so I didn't have much choice: go out and live!

Leaders of Pool Comense.

  During my downtime in between practices, more often than not, you could find me at the coffee bar with Cheru and Francy.

  They spoke Italian, I tried to understand and speak back.

  I spoke English, they tried to understand and speak back.

  They explained places or things about Como that were important -- whether it'd be the local banks scheduling a strike, or good restaurants around town.

Francy & Cheru.

  I read the paper (not the days after games, however), and learned more and more Italian words.

  I tried every coffee bar fare they offered up. And grew to understand that I should limit my chocolate croissant and piadina intake, and that cappuccinos should never be ordered after 11am.

  It's where I grew to love coffee too!

  It was a fun way to learn a new culture -- I wouldn't trade those afternoons in Como for anything.

  I've written before about how special my experiences in Italy were, but I was inspired once again to share some memories after last week's Google Maps walk down memory lane!

In Milan one summer.

Teammates Kim & Mara.

Via Indipendenza in Como -- the street I lived on.

Teammate Nev and I at the coffee bar.

Como from above again. This time from the tram.

Como.

Subway Food Fight

Click to sign the petition!

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  I always try to find the right balance between sharing my own thoughts and things that are going on in my life, with things I come across that I think are worth sharing.

  You can go ahead and put today's entry into the 'things I think are worth sharing' category.

  Previously, I've written about the US Food Supply in comparison to the European food system.

  There are particular American companies that have made it a practice to alter their products' recipes for the European market (because of their usage of banned ingredients), meanwhile leaving the potentially harmful ingredients in the same foods distributed in the US.

Why the altered recipes?
  Many times, recipes are changed because a banned (in the European Union, that is) ingredient is used. For example, the US version of Betty Crocker Red Velvet cake has artificial colors, which are banned in the United Kingdom because they are linked to hyperactivity in children, food cravings, and obesity. In order for that product to be sold on European shelves, the recipe needs to be reformulated to match stricter foods laws.

  In the US, there are no such bans, so Betty Crocker leaves the questionable ingredient in, more-often-than-not because it is the cheapest way to produce the food.

  Other times, they alter the recipe in Europe simply to avoid a genetically modified organism label being slapped on their product. In the EU, GMOs are required to be labeled. To avoid that stigma, recipes are altered, and genetically modified ingredients are removed.

  So they can adjust their recipes for overseas distribution, but refuse to do the same for their American consumers.

  This happens across the board with processed foods -- from cereals, to candy, to chips. The recipes are altered to provide safer products for European consumers. While in the US, companies continue to produce their foods in the least expensive way, with little regard to public health (hello, FDA?).

Consumer action in action. It works!

  There's a woman who goes by the name Food Babe leading the charge against these companies. Don't let the cutesy nickname fool you, the Food Babe is one tough cookie. She takes these huge corporations head-on, and doesn't back down.

  In the last year alone, consumer interest, participation, and outrage has lead to Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Kraft, General Mills (Cheerios), Gatorade, and even Johnson & Johnson to change their ways.

  They've become more transparent, and they've listened to the consumers. That's an incredible starting point.

The Food Babe versus Kraft Mac & Cheese
  Almost one year ago, the Food Babe set her sights on Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. In the US, the recipe contained the artificial food dyes Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. In the EU and UK, these dyes are not in Kraft Macaroni and Cheese because they are considered harmful and were removed due to consumer outcry.

  The Food Babe started a petition, over 300-thousand people signed it, and soon enough, Kraft listened to its challengers, and removed the artificial dyes from some of their products.

New Challenge
  Now, just last week, the Food Babe has re-focused on Subway and their breads.

Even Jimmy Fallon is in on the fight against yoga mat breads.

  She discovered that Subway makes bread with an ingredient called azodicarbonamide. This ingredient can be found in almost all the breads at Subway in the US, but not in Europe, Australia or other parts of the world.

  Azodicarbonamide is the same chemical used to make yoga mats, shoe soles, and other rubbery objects. Given those uses, it probably isn't meant for human consumption.

  Subway uses this ingredient as a bleaching agent and dough conditioner which allows them to produce bread faster and cheaper without considering the following health consequences and facts:

• The World Health Organization has linked it to respiratory issues, allergies and asthma. 
• When a truck carrying azodicarbonamide overturned on a Chicago highway in 2001, it prompted city officials to issue the highest hazardous materials alert and evacuate people within a half mile radius. Many of the people on the scene complained of burning eyes and skin irritation as a result.
• The U.K. Health And Safety Executive has recognized azodicarbonamide as a potential cause of asthma.
• When azodicarbonamide is heated, there are studies that show it is linked to tumor development and cancer.
• Not only is this ingredient banned in Europe and Australia, but you also get fined 450,000 dollars if you get caught using it in Singapore and can serve 15 years in prison.

  Go here to join over 90,000 others, and ask Subway to remove azodicarbonamide, because we deserve the same safer ingredients Subway serves in other countries.

  Subway has responded to the Food Babe, saying that they they would be removing azodicarbonamide from their breads 'soon'. However, they did not respond when asked for a timeline, or a new ingredient list.

Healthy versus Safe
  While none of these foods scream healthy, sometimes convenience takes precedence. And that's why many of these foods are consumed, because they are convenient.

  We all want to be able to make a nice home cooked meal for our families all the time. But sometimes, we're in a time crunch, or we're tired. It's in the those times, we might call on these products. So we might as well make sure they're safe, right?

  All anyone is looking for is a safe food supply. Why a recipe is deemed harmful in one country, yet allowed in another, is beyond me. That's a blog for another day.

  The foundation is there, the recipes have been altered around the world. Now, all we need is the execution in the US.

RELATED LINKS:
Ingredients Banned in Other Countries, Remain in US Food Supply
Subway Petition Update
Subway Petition

RELATED POSTS:
M&M Analysis: Altered Recipes in Europe Remove GMOs
Do You Know What GMOs Are?
Banned Foods We Eat Every Day

At Last, a Holiday Season at Home

Christmas day with my nieces -- 2013.

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  Over the years, my family's Christmas Day tradition has become hopping in the car late Christmas morning, driving a couple hours to my brother's house, and spending the rest of the day enjoying each other's company.

  It was always a great way to see everyone before I had to get on a plane back to Europe.

  Even though I had no flight to rush back to this time around, this year was no different.

  As I sat in the back seat of my dad's squeaky truck on the road to my brother's, my knees jammed into the back of my mom's seat, my toes cold, I suddenly flashed to being in the back of an airplane instead.

  And here, I had just been thinking, that it hadn't really felt like Christmas yet, because I hadn't been on an airplane.

  For the first time since I was a senior in high school, I wasn't traveling to get home for Christmas. And the first time in just as many years, that I didn't have to hurry off immediately following the holiday.

Portland during the holiday season.

  I was already home.

  As I sat in the truck, I flashed back to a few of my more-memorable holiday travel experiences over the past 15 years.

• My freshman year in college, saying goodbye to my family Christmas morning at the Portland airport; to head back to Boulder -- for practice Christmas evening. Ever try to find a place to eat Christmas dinner in a college town during Winter Break? Good thing for my teammates, as we were all in the same boat.


• Flying home to Portland from Florida after a horrific loss to the Gators my junior year. My teammates and I raced to the airport, and through security just in time to make our respective flights home to our families. Then, returning to Boulder several days later to a not-so welcoming practice back will always be in my memory bank. There are a handful of college practices that vividly stick out in my mind, and forever will. And that is one of them. We ran off our holiday turkey, pies, and other goodies in that practice alone.


• As a pro, the anxious feeling as the holiday break approached, mostly to learn when we'd be going home (and how many days we'd be able to spend in the States). You never wanted to ask too soon (as to not appear too anxious to leave), and it was always to helpful to inquire after a game won. Somehow, I never got quite enough days Stateside. I was always wanting a few more -- even the year I got three weeks home.


• Having to scramble the year I played in Poland (2006) to get my visa, while at home, to return for the second half of the season. Mis-communications, holiday madness, and poor planning, didn't allow me to return to Jelenia Gora in time to play in my team's opener after the break. An unforeseen extended holiday break. But as I remember, my team lost the game I missed. 


• 2010 in Sweden, I thought I wasn't going to be able to make it home -- because the break in between games was so short. Thankfully, my team and management were incredibly understanding, and went out of their way to work with me. Five days at home was a quick turn around, but it was well worth it. I got back to Luleå the day before our game. I was jet-legged, to say the least. My coach wouldn't let me play because I looked so bad during pre-game. Good thing my team was plenty-capable that season -- they took care of our opponent with ease as I cheered from the bench.


• And finally, 2008, I thought I'd be spending Christmas in Amsterdam, and then maybe Vancouver BC (then possibly Seattle). That year, it seemed the whole northern hemisphere had been slammed with snow storms. Lucky for me, the Portland airport was closed down -- no flights in or out. With my flight cancelled, and hundreds of people trying to get to the northwest, I thought I'd be stuck in Amsterdam til after the holiday. I must have been living right, because I somehow made it home. I ended up on a flight (as a standby traveler) to Vancouver BC (after failing to get on the flight to Seattle from Amsterdam earlier that day). But still, with the Pacific Northwest covered in ice and snow, the airline was unsure if flights would be continuing on to Seattle (where my parents were loyally driving from Portland to pick me up). I made the connection to Seattle, and there my parents were, waiting for me, as I exited the terminal. 

Snow storm I returned home to in 2008.

  While it may not have felt like Christmas for me leading up to it this year, it certainly felt like Christmas on the 25th. With family and wonderful food, lights and decoration, and of course presents; I can definitely say the holiday was just as great as ever.

  And I didn't even have to get on an airplane to get that feeling. But I sure was happy to be sitting the cold, uncomfortable seat in my Dad's truck.

  Hope you had a wonderful holiday, and happy 2014!

Football Season! Sans the Anxiety

Always fun to see Ralphie up close and personal.

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  For the first time in a long time, the dawn of football season isn't bringing up bittersweet, anxious feelings in my gut.

  Don't get me wrong, I love football season just as much as the next person. In fact, it's my favorite season to participate in as a fan.

  So what's to be anxious about? Dating back to my freshman year in college ('99 for those of you keeping track), football season meant it was time to hit the road.

  First as a teenager from Lake Oswego, heading to Colorado to start college. Then as a professional basketball player heading to Europe to begin every season anew. From my freshman year onward, as the football season got closer and closer to kicking off, the knot in my stomach grew larger by the day.

Here comes Ralphie...!

  Big changes and difficult goodbyes were looming on the horizon.

  On one hand, I grew accustomed to the drastic changes and the adjustment period I would encounter. So I was able to get comfortable fairly quickly. But on the other hand, it began to wear on me after a while. I guess you can say novelty eventually wore off.

Knowing vs. Doing
  Yet I always knew it was time to go. I admit, after a summer of being home, working out for 3-4 months, and doing not-much-of-anything else, it was time to go. Even so, I never liked to see the sunsets coming on earlier and earlier in the evening.

  Knowing you needed to do something, didn't make doing it any easier. I knew I needed to be overseas. It was my job after all. But I'd still always want to squeak out a few more days stateside. Put off the uncomfortable adjustment period, the long day of travel, and the tough goodbyes.

Not going back overseas will be a change.

  There were years when I was lucky enough to see a college football Saturday or two before I head out to cross the pond. And I always was entirely too excited if I got to see just one game on USA-time -- on TV. And if it was in person? I was ecstatic.

This Football Season
  As August quickly comes to a close, and football season knocks on the door, I'm finding that knot in my stomach isn't there.

  There still are bittersweet feelings, just of a different kind this time around. The fact that I don't get to hop on a plane and change lives is a big change for me. Knowing I won't be on a basketball team for the first time since I was eight: enormous change.

CU vs. Georgia in 2010.

  So there are still changes. But none of the anxiety and knot-inducing variety.

  There are things I enjoyed about being able to up and move overseas. Obviously -- if I continued to do it year after year. Things were always fresh and new. They were exciting. There was always something on the horizon to look forward to.

  But this time around, I look forward to enjoying college football Saturdays and NFL Sundays on the couch, or in the stands, in the good ol' US of A.

RELATED POSTS:

Life A to Life B

European Super Bowls

A Perfect 10

Finished the season on the sideline.

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  It's not shocking news, really. I've been hinting at it, and toying with it for months. Some might say for years.

  But I'm making it official. My basketball sneakers have been hung up. For good.

  It's not as difficult to say those words, or type those words, as I thought it would be. Maybe because the signs have been pointing to 'retirement' for quite some time.

  The injuries were one thing. But the mental outlook was quite another.

  Most of you know, I was on the sideline a great deal this past season. Your body not holding up, not allowing you to do your job, spoke volumes. There was nothing more frustrating than not being able to do what you wanted to physically.

Fan art from my second year in Italy.

  But still, some might not want to end their career on the sideline. And I just could be stubborn enough to try something like that. There had to be more than a faulty back to push me into the real world.

  Mentally and emotionally, I was ready. My mind and my heart were screaming to me that my basketball career had run its course. The lifestyle, the constant moving, the uncertainty, has worn me down. I guess I've had enough.

  Ten seasons overseas is perfect anyway, don't you think? I've always been a stickler for balance and a little square that way (my nice-and-square SAT scores, for example -- exactly the same in both the math and the verbal).

A fun moment -- All Star game warm up -- Poland.

  Ten is a nice round number. Ten seasons gave me plenty of time to play basketball, the game I fell in love with as a little girl, the game that helped give me confidence and an identity, the game that has provided me with so many opportunities -- to see the world and meet incredible people, for a living!

  But now it's time for the next chapter.

  And before you ask, 'well, now what are you going to do?' Let me just say that I'm working on it!

  There are a lot of different directions I can go. So I am hoping to take some time this summer, weigh my options, and figure out what will be the next best step for me. But be certain that I will keep you all posted.  

Ready for what's next!

  So it's official now. No going back! Barring some unforeseen events, and a near-miracle, I'm done playing basketball as a professional.

  The great thing about basketball however, is that you can play whenever you want. But it won't be the basketball that I miss. I can find that anywhere.

  Being part of a team, and the competitive spirit, is irreplaceable. So here's to joining a new team...

  I'm ready, and excited for what is next. Stay tuned!

Running Down A Dream: Cope's Journey to the NBA

Chris in Aalst, Belgium.

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  Every August, hundreds of American basketball players, both men and women alike, head overseas to start their seasons anew.

  The game may be the same, but I have found that the motivations are different.

NBA vs. WNBA Dream
  From my perspective, women seek out the experience: of living abroad for a couple of years, while continuing to play the game they've grown to love. Salaries are less, and because the WNBA season does not coincide with the traditional basketball season, it is more of a choice for women to make the jump overseas to continue their playing career.

  Playing in the US hasn't always been an option for women, yet they've been heading overseas to play basketball for decades -- long before the WNBA was ever around. The WNBA was not the ultimate dream.

In Trier, Germany.

  Maybe the motivation is changing, however. And the dream of young girls today is to play in the WNBA, and never experience Europe.

  For boys, who play basketball and grow up watching the NBA, donning an NBA uniform is their dream. It's the ultimate goal. And it always has been.

  If they are not one of a handful of athletes selected every June in the NBA draft, they head overseas as well.

  They bid their closest friends and family members farewell for eight months, and chase that dream. Searching for just one opportunity that might lead to their big break back home.

  While a good living can be made abroad, the dream remains inside: to return to the US, and play in the NBA.

  There are varying levels of leagues in Europe, and throughout the rest of the world. Some you might call semi-pro, while others are on par with the talent seen in the NBA. Along with every other level in between.

  Chris Copeland has seen them all. Literally. But he never lost sight of his dream of putting on an NBA jersey.

Colorado days.

Cope's Story
  Chris was a freshman at Colorado when I was a senior. I can't really say how much I saw Chris play during that 2002-2003 season. Busy, diverging schedules as student-athletes didn't allow for too many games.

  But I saw enough, through practices and a handful of games, to know Chris was a basketball player. A gym rat. A hooper.

  He was skilled. Had great fundamentals. Was big and had a great shot. And had a feel for the game you couldn't teach. He also had a lot of work to do, but the most important thing, the foundation, was there.

  Fast forward seven years later to the 2009-2010 season. While we both played in Germany, I saw Chris play twice. I couldn't believe the strides he had made in his game since I'd last seen him play at CU.

  In basketball, being a 'tweener' isn't a good thing. You essentially have no position. While at Colorado, Chris was a tweener. He was a big three, and a small four. He had a great face-up game, but lacked the speed and quickness needed to excel as a small forward. And his post game was non-existent. So he was a face-up four.

  In the seven years that had passed since I'd last seen him play, while finishing his eligibility at CU, and though stints in the D-League, and stops in low-level Spanish and Dutch leagues, Chris developed and worked on his weaknesses. He went from being a tweener, to being versatile. And versatility is a huge asset in a basketball player.

  The player I saw in Germany resembled the kid I remembered at CU in looks, and looks alone. But his game suggested he had changed a great deal. Immediately I could tell he had diligently worked on his post game.

A threat from the wing, or in the post.

  His German team, Trier, ran their entire offense through him on the block. He demanded a double-team every time he touched the ball.

  Chris was essentially his team's play maker from the power forward position. Guard him one-on-one, he'd attack (and usually score). Double him, and he'd make the pass to an open teammate. Guard him with a big man to take away his post game, and he'd simply step outside and exploit his advantage there.

  Cope made it look easy. He was racking up the points and accolades, and turning heads in Europe.

  Chris and I, again, found ourselves in the same corner of the world in the 2011-2012 season. While I played in Dunkerque, I saw him play last season, in Belgium for Aalst (which I blogged about last year). And again, I saw huge growth in his game, and more-strikingly, his confidence and approach off the court.

  On the court, Chris continued to dominate and score points in bunches. Off the court, Chris threw himself into the NBA world. Constantly studying games and players. He had a one-track mind: the NBA or bust.

  His dream was alive and well. And seemingly closer and closer to becoming reality.

  After seeing him in Belgium, I knew if he got an opportunity, he'd make it happen. Which is exactly what happened.

Summer league in Vegas.

The Opportunity
  The summer of 2012, Chris finally got the chance every professional player waits for: he signed a non-guaranteed contract with the New York Knicks.

  He headed to summer league in Las Vegas, where he quickly began making his mark. And then to training camp in October, where he'd compete to make the Knicks final 15-man roster.

  At any point, Chris could have been cut.

  But just as he'd worked his way up from lower level pro leagues, to more prominent leagues each and every season in Europe, he stayed the course. On November 2, 2102 against the Miami Heat, five full seasons after finishing his eligibility at Colorado, Chris was a rookie in the NBA.
 
Our Convo -- Catching Up With Chris
  In a 25-minute phone conversation in early-April, I caught up with my fellow University of Colorado Buffalo. To hear his thoughts about his journey to the NBA. To see what the trip has been like, in his own words.

Chris and I a couple years back in Germany.

  I frantically typed as I tried my best to play the part of reporter while interviewing a friend. An odd, but fun conversation.

  There have been a few stories recently on Chris, so I wanted to focus on something I'm familiar with: comparisons between Europe and the game in the States -- the NBA. 

What did you focus on improving the most, from the time you finished at CU, until last summer?
Most recently, my focus has been on the defensive end. But since graduating, I've been try to improve all areas of my game. Ball handling, become a better athlete, my quickness. Before I thought I knew it all, but really became a student of the game. 

Was there a time where you lost sight of the NBA, and thought you couldn't make it?
Every day. When you're overseas you have your up days and your down days. You have games where you go 0-fer and you question yourself. You say to yourself: so-and-so was overseas, and he would never have gone 0-fer. A little doubt creeps in along the way.

But I always was confident, and knew I could make it. I am blessed to have a great circle of people around me.

When did it really hit your radar -- that the NBA was possible, it was right there in front of you, and you just had to grab it?
Summer league. I finally got the opportunity then, it was like, 'It's up to you. and you just gotta get the job done...'

Biggest difference between the European leagues you've played in, and the NBA...styles, level of play?

Had to double in the post.

Athleticism. Everyone is bigger, faster, stronger, quicker.

How has your approach to practice changed? To games? 
I'm working as hard as I have ever worked. I'm in the weight room, I'm shooting a ton of extra shots, getting extra workouts in.

In Europe, if you wanted to get extra work in, it was just you on your own, or maybe one of your teammates wanted in too. Now, if I want to shoot, I can grab two coaches and shoot as much as I want. So I've probably put in as much work on my own now more than ever.

What has changed for you from your most recent season in Europe, to this season? Role on team? Mentality? Individual goals? How have you adjusted from going from THE man on a team, to one of the last guys to make the roster?
It was a big time adjustment. But I knew what was expected. I was expected to be the 15th man. I just wanted to be in the NBA though, and put on a jersey. I was willing to sacrifice everything just to get there.
 

Knick huddle.

How has that changed over the course of the season as you've proven yourself?
You reach one goal, and then you set new ones. I've always had extremely lofty goals. I have new goals now...not going into too much detail, but it'll revolve around me doing a lot more work on the court. 

How stressful was training camp? Does it compare to anything you had experienced before?
The most stressful training camp I ever went through. You always feared you could be cut any day.  I had no contract. I understood that if you're not on your game, you could get sent home. 

What about your experience overseas helped you this season?
You develop that sink or swim mentality. You find out quickly in Europe, if you don't play well, they'll get rid of you. I'd been through that before, so that carried me through the whole training camp process.

Being in Europe also helped me realize the attention to detail that's needed. I had coaches who had us going through two-a-days all year round out there. But then my most recent coach was more relaxed. I found I needed something in the middle. So I learned how to train. Every player is different, and needs something different. But I learned what I need to be successful, training wise. 

Again, in Germany.

What kind of adjustments have you had to make going from being in small European towns to playing in New York?
It's dope, it's nerve wracking, it's fun. But America's my home, and this was my dream ever since I picked up a basketball as a little boy.

At the same time, it's difficult because you know everyone is watching. But my faith in God has helped me get through. 

Compared to your days in Europe, day to day, what is different for you?
The stores are open later. Restaurants are open all the time. That was the always the weirdest thing for me to adjust to in Europe. Siestas, banks closing midday, etc. Everything is more accessible, more available in the US. 

Is there anything that has surprised you along the way?
How cool my teammates are. Coming in, you heard stories. So you may have thought they would be the most difficult to deal with. But they're looking out for me. Some guys with bad reps have been the coolest to me. 

First, and most-recent, 'wow' moment?
The stars (celebrities) who have come up to me and have said 'I'm a fan yours'. And then I just say to them nooooo, I'm a fan of yours. That's been pretty wild.

Post-game duties in Aalst.

Do you and your teammates talk about Europe?
Not really. With guys who have been overseas before, like Melo and Amare, we talk about places to visit. We don't talk about the basketball really. 

But with guys who've also played in Europe, Pablo (Prigioni) and James (White), we exchange some battle stories every once in a while.

Knowing you, I already know the answer to this, but would you change anything about the path you've taken thus far?
No, it was tough. But I've made so many great relationships in my time overseas, it makes it that much sweeter. 

What's the one word of advice for someone who's trying to do what you've done?
It's difficult. Be focused. Be prepared for some dark days, you'll go through a lot of trials. But it can happen if you stay focused, and keep your eye on the goal.

  This is a guy who is the epitome of a gym rat, a basketball junkie. But not every gym rat makes it. There are dozens of guys who, just like Chris, if they get the opportunity, will turn heads. But they might not ever get that chance.

  For Chris is was, and continues to be, work ethic and focus plus the opportunity, and finally, making the most of that opportunity.

Putting in the extra effort on the court.

  Chris refused to quit. He had all the reasons and all the opportunities to throw in the towel on the NBA, and be satisfied with stardom in Europe. But he wanted more.

  So this lifelong Trail Blazer fan no longer checks the Portland box score first thing in the morning. That honor is now reserved for Cope and the Knicks. It's been fun watching his journey from afar -- his is a very special, and inspiring story.

  If I've learned one thing about Chris, it's not to doubt him. He continues to grow and improve as a player, and the basketball world continues to take note. Just this past month he was named NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for April for his torrid end to the regular season.

  Just a taste of things to come? If you listen to Chris, he'll be on the court, putting in the work. I, for one, am excited to see what he's got in store for us next.

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An Unexpected Boost

The Joys of Travel

They were nice enough to organize a surprise!

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  Jumping on a plane to travel is always exciting. Hopping on a plane to head home after months away is an even better feeling. There was one big catch, however: I had to travel 27 hours (door to door), and through four different countries to reach my destination. They didn't  say it would be easy. 

  After a surprise goodbye dinner at V & Bruno's Tuesday night (they pulled a fast one on me!), I didn't get to bed til close to 2am. With my alarm set for 5, it was going to be a quick night's sleep. 

The First Leg: Brussels

  The drive to the Brussels airport from Dunkerque is always an unknown. Without traffic you can make the drive in an hour and a half. But weekday mornings are a crap shoot. Sometimes the traffic is smooth and easy. But more often than not, it's a nightmare getting through the Belgian capital. It's famous for its 'accordian-like' qualities. Stop and go once you hit the outer limits of the city, and continuing onto the Ring that circles that city you must take to reach the airport.

V & Lily.

   Wednesday morning, it took us two and a half hours. So I was behind schedule from the get-go.

  It was a sign of things to come. 

  As I checked in for my flight, I plopped my gigantic bags onto the conveyor belt to be weighed; both were over. Oops. But I guess that's what happens when you've accumulated two year's worth of stuff. 

  I was flying Aer Lingus, a first for me. But I have to give them the thumbs up -- waived one baggage fee (out of two), gave me a free coffee on board when I had no cash left (free coffee should be a no-brainer, but not for the Irish airline), and they let me move to exit row, without paying! The flight wasn't full, and they were empty, so why not?

Camped out here for hours in Dublin.

The Second Leg: Dublin 
  I had a four-hour layover in Dublin. Since I had never been to Dublin, or Ireland before, I had been contemplating using that time to get out of the airport and see something in the city.

  With a long day ahead of me, I didn't want the hassle. I didn't feel like dragging myself into the city on a cold, dreary day, so I decided to wait it out in the airport. Luckily there was free WiFi and a nice restaurant area. So I grabbed a little lunch, and the time passed fairly quickly.

  One thing that made me smile was the flight attendant saying 'cheerio!' to me as I left the plane. I didn't know they actually said that! So I have that story to relay about Dublin. 

  I always take my chances with airplane seating at the gate. I've found that the folks at the gate are more willing to work with you and the seats with extra legroom there. At the initial check in desk they always seem to be motivated by getting you to pay for any, and everything possible. Whereas at the gate, they take your situation into consideration, and if there's an available exit row or bulk head, they'll give it to you more often than not. Maybe I shouldn't be giving away all my secrets!

The spread at my au revoir dinner. Thanks V!

  I lucked out  and got an exit row, and we were off!

  For maybe the first time ever, I was asleep before my plane even took off. I remember thinking to myself, 'just make it to the meal service, then sleep.' But before I knew it, my head was bobbing around like only it can do on a plane.  

  A family with three (loud) young children seated across the aisle made sleep longer than short spurts impossible. So I was groggy and in and out for several hours. After awaking from a slumber, I'm always afraid to look at my watch because I don't want to be bummed out when a measly two hours (out of the eight) have passed. 

  The groggy feeling I always have on trans-Atlantic flights is one of being absolutely unproductive. Once the drowsiness sets in, it doesn't matter what movies I have to watch, books to read, blogs to write, I never feel like doing anything outside of resting my tired eyes.

  Of course, the flight to Chicago was long. But it was relatively uneventful. Then the real fun began.

The Sprint Leg: Chicago

  I was one of the first people off the plane. So I made a mad dash through the long corridors to get to customs as fast as I could. I rounded the corner to get in line, only to see hundreds of people already waiting in line. It was going to be a long wait.

The rest of the crew.

  The connection to my last flight home to Portland was in two hours. 45 minutes later, I was still standing in the customs line.

  I those 45 minutes, I still needed to get through customs, grab my two enormous bags, turn in my immigration card, re-check my bags, get a boarding pass for my flight to Portland (they couldn't give me one for my last connection in either Brussels or Dublin), go through security (for the third time that day), and finally get to the gate and board.

  I've never missed a connecting flight. Ever. (Knocking on wood for future travels) But it was going to be a close one!

  Usually, my layovers in Chicago, or wherever in the US, are fairly easy-going. I have time to grab some food, fill up my water bottle, get cleaned up a little bit, and maybe wander the concourse to loosen up my travel-weary legs. Not this time around. 

  By the time I made it through customs and dropped my bags, I had 30 minutes to get my boarding pass, get through security, and get to the gate and on the plane. I was cutting it a little too close for my liking. 

My fancy wine & cheese spread.

  After encountering blase United employee after blase United employee, I was starting to get a little annoyed. They were clearly undermanned (but still in no rush it seemed) because there were many people in the same boat as I was. And lines to get boarding passes and other information weren't moving very quickly. 

  Of course no one moves with the sense of urgency you're expecting them to when you're afraid of missing your flight.

  I got my boarding pass, got through security as quickly as I could, and headed out to find my gate. I know the Chicago airport fairly well, and as I glanced at my watch, I realized I was going to start running. The long underpass from Concourse B to C was my sprint zone. 20 pounds of backpack strapped to my back, made it a little awkward, so hopefully no one was judging my form.

  By the time I got to the end of the corridor and the base of the stairs/escalators, I was breathing hard. One last run up the stairs and I'd almost be there. The sprint up the stairs put me into a full on sweat. Exactly how I wanted to be for my four-hour flight to home. Didn't know I'd also be getting a workout in that day!

Always nice to come home to this. And yes, the sun's been out!

  On top of already needing to wash my face and brush my teeth, now I desperately needed a shower. I arrived at the last gate in the concourse, my gate, with 10 minutes to spare. 

  I gave my exit row strategy another go, to no avail this time around. Minus points for you, United!

The Final Leg: Portland

  I found my seat (in the last row of the plane), and settled in. My ankles were swollen, my contacts were suction-cupped to my eyeballs, I was sweaty, hungry, thirsty, and exhausted. I couldn't help but smile anyway. And I still had five more hours to go to Portland! 

  But I was on my way home.