Brittney Griner to the NBA: An Unnecessary Discussion

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**Originally appeared on SLAM Online April 10th, 2013**
  Several months ago we had the lower rims debate. Now we have Brittney Griner to the NBA making headlines. I guess I should be happy that women's basketball is giving people something to talk about. But outlandish stories aren't the discussions we should be having about women's hoops.

  Some say, any talk is progress. I'm not willing to go there just yet.

  Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, stated last week that he'd give the 6'8" Baylor star a shot at making his team. He said, 'If she is the best on the board, I will take her.'

  Griner tweeted back, 'I would hold my own! Lets do it.' I don't blame her for responding, she believes in herself. But Cuban really doesn't deserve a response.

  Let's take his comments for what they really are: a PR stunt. He wants attention, and he wants the hoopla to follow Griner to the NBA summer league, where she would potentially first play.

  All that's happened since Cuban's attention-seeking comments, is the disparaging of Griner and her talents. And with that, criticism of women's basketball in general.

  I don't mean to doubt Griner's abilities, but this isn't the rec. The NBA is the highest level of basketball in the world. The best. The biggest, strongest, quickest, most versatile athletes in the world.

  I know how tough it is just playing against guys at the rec. 

  In the men's game, Griner's talents don't transfer over. What makes her special in the women's game would not be a factor against men. Size, athleticism, strength, speed, length, quickness.

  Against women, she's a 6'8" dominant center. In the majority of her games while at Baylor, she had an enormous size advantage. And then on top of that, she has phenomenal athleticism unseen in a 6'8" woman. Put those two things together, and you have a defensive stopper who controls the paint, and a presence in the post offensively who demands a double (triple?) team every time she touches the ball.

  Against men, she's a small forward (maybe a power forward, but that'd be a stretch). I've seen Brittney Griner play, nothing about her game says small forward.

  That's the obvious argument.

  But now, instead of praising and celebrating a talent the women's game has never seen, this has turned into a diss -- for lack of a better term. It's me, and everyone else who is having this conversation, saying what Griner is not. Putting her down, and saying why she wouldn't succeed.

  Instead, we should appreciate and celebrate her talents for what they are.

  What I should be saying is this: stop comparing. Respect the women's game for what it is. It's a separate sport. Simple as that. 

  We don't need to say that women should/could compete with men. It's not cutting-edge. It's not an enlightened way to think. It's unnecessary.

  In what other sport do they talk about women competing against men? Did anyone ever talk about Mia Hamm competing for the US Olympic Men's soccer team?

  Brittney Griner is an enormously talented basketball player. And she is a dominant physical presence. She is a game changer. Let her be just that.

  Is it a compliment to ask if can she play in the NBA? Yes, of course! But don't take the conversation any further than that. Because once we do, that's when the the compliments stop.  

International Game Appreciation

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**Originally appeared on SLAM Online February 26th, 2013**

  If you're a basketball fan, it's safe to say you've seen an NBA game, an NCAA game, and a FIBA game (the Olympics, or maybe a EuroLeague game?).

  And while you may know the ins and outs of your league, the foreign game may remain somewhat of a mystery. Maybe it frustrates you to watch, or you don't understand the intricacies or strategies of the game.

  That's perfectly normal because basketball played internationally (FIBA), and basketball played in the US are drastically different. Sometimes the differences lie in the rules. While other times, differences are a reflection of the way the game is taught.

RULE BOOK

  Rule differences are the easiest to point out. They're obvious, and can be seen across the board. These rules are not up for discussion, or up to a referee, or coach's opinion.

Time outs

  In the international game, players and coaches cannot call a timeout while the ball is in live play. Only when the ball is dead (out of bounds, made basket, foul call, travel call, etc), can the coach, and only the coach, ask for a timeout.

  A player can never call a timeout in FIBA. This removes the bail out/emergency timeout we see so frequently in the US.

 

Team Fouls/Bonus

  Team foul rules are the same in the NBA as they are in FIBA: teams are in the bonus, and awarded two foul shots, on the fifth team foul of each quarter.

  It differs in the NCAA, where teams are in the 'one-and-one' (and awarded one foul shot, and if the shooter makes it, they receive a second free throw) on the seventh team foul of each half. Teams are then finally awarded two shots on the tenth team foul of the half.

Quarter/Game length

  Four 10-minute quarters in FIBA (and the WNBA). Two 20-minute halves in the NCAA. Four 12-minute quarters in the NBA.

REFEREEING POINTS OF EMPHASIS

  This is where the two games are most divergent, in my opinion. And where the misunderstanding can come into play. It can make the American fan frustrated watching the FIBA game, and the international fan frustrated watching the American game.

  Some rules are subjective, and dependent upon, either the points of view of each referee, or the points of emphasis of the leagues. 

Traveling

  Across the board, the travel call is the biggest point of discussion. Americans think Europeans travel all the time. And Europeans think Americans travel all the time.

  Why, you ask? There are two very different points of emphasis in the international game versus the game in the US.

  In the NBA and NCAA, the focus is on the number of steps taken after the dribble is picked up. Whereas in FIBA, the focus is on whether the ball was put down immediately before taking a step.

  During the Olympics, one of the most overwhelming things you will hear from international fans is how much LeBron James travels. They see him take two steps (or sometimes more!) before he puts the ball down in transition, and think it's obvious. Yet Americans don't really get why they're complaining.

  What happens when Americans go abroad? They are called for countless travels because they don't put the ball down fast enough before taking their first step (something I can attest to).

  It took me half of my rookie year in Italy to figure out how to not get called for traveling on drives to the basket. And the first time I did it, I almost stopped for celebration. There are still occasions when I get caught (actually happened in my most recent game), but it doesn't happen nearly as often as it used to!

  And what about when Europeans go to play in the US? They're called for travels as they finish a drive with too many steps (I think this is seen more often in college than in the NBA). Just as I had difficulty adjusting, many Europeans who play collegiately have a difficult time adjusting to the new emphasis. 

  Another cause for this travel deviation is the way we are coached as kids. Americans are taught to have a big first step. It's stressed over and over. Have a quick, as-big-as-you-can-make-it, first step.

  You can't have a big first step in Europe. When you lunge out as far as you can, you're essentially dragging your pivot foot, and you haven't put the ball down to dribble. They call that a travel every time.

Foul calls

  Over the course of my 10 years in Europe, I've learned a few things about what referees will, and will not call.

  Defensively, if you slap down on the ball, it's always a foul. No matter if you touch your opponent or not. If you want to go for a steal, slap upward.

  Similarly, referees will rarely call a hook, or an offensive foul, for clearing the defender out -- no matter how obvious it is. I can't tell you how many times I've thought they were going to call it, only to have the foul go against the me (the defender).

           

Strategy

  Again, over the course of my 10 years in Europe, some things have stood out to me, strategically speaking, as well.

  In my opinion, running a fast break in Europe resembles soccer strategy more often than not. Coaches stress getting the ball to one side of the floor immediately, and then attacking. Whereas in the US, players are taught to get the ball to the middle of the floor.

  I don't find the European strategy to be very effective. Moving the ball to one side of the floor too early, lets the defense off the hook far too quickly. 

  The International game is more guard/perimeter oriented. This is the one case where I think the US/NBA is becoming more like the European game. Gone are the days of dominant big men controlling the game. In today's NBA, just as in Europe, guards and perimeter players are the game's best players, and dominate the ball offensively.

IN SOME WAYS, GROWING MORE SIMILAR

  In certain areas, the International and American games are becoming more and more similar. There used to be physical differences on the court (trapezoid lanes versus rectangle lanes), but FIBA recently made the change to rectangular lanes to match the American game.

  FIBA has also recently implemented advancing the ball to half court after timeouts in end of game situations. This allows finishes to be a little more exciting, and buzzer-beaters to occur more frequently.

  I can't go into every single detail, but various other rule changes have been made that make the FIBA and American games more similar (shot clocks, jump balls, restricted area/arc).

  While basketball is basketball no matter where it's played, differences still, have to be expected. Especially when there are different governing bodies.

  Frustration may remain (I never get less frustrated with getting called, for what I still see as a non-travel), but understanding game differences at least allows for a broader perspective. So the next time you find yourself hollering about a LeBron or Ginobli travel, keep in mind where they grew up playing the game (and what's written across their jerseys -- USA/Cavs or Argentina/Spurs)!

Above the Rim?

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**Originally appeared on SLAM Online October 26th, 2012**

  Thanks to UCONN coach Geno Auriemma, there's a new-found debate in the world of women's hoops. Should the rims be lowered in the women's game?

  When the headline first come across my Twitter timeline a few days ago, I dismissed it with a 'no', as I shook my head. And quickly moved on.

  Then I saw it again. And again. And now that the subject is clearly going to linger longer than first anticipated, I just had to throw my two cents into the debate. As a female basketball player, of course I'm going to have an opinion!

  First and foremost, I find it disrespectful. The question insinuates that women can't play the game, with the same rules as men, just as well. But maybe that's the competitor in me talking.

  I get a little peeved when I hear complaints about the level of skill in the women's game, and their solution is to lower the rim. You don't search for a short-cut, you work even harder to improve your skills. Lowering the rim isn't going to make anyone handle the ball better, pass the ball better, or shoot better.

  People complain of missed layups. Don't lower the rims, practice finishing at the rim!

  People complain of missed jump shots. Don't lower the rims, practice your jumper!

  People complain of sloppy play. Don't lower the rims, practice your ball-handling!

  And no, I'm not delusional either. I am well-aware that the athletic ability most men possess exceeds that of most women. 

  Yes, the dunk is exciting and fun to watch. If I had the ability to do it, I would be dunking at every opportunity. But I realized at a young age (even to my dismay), that the dunk wasn't going to be a part of my basketball repertoire. So I worked on my skills! That being said, I think comparing the excitement level (based on dunks and athleticism) of the two games is a little unfair.

  But let's be clear, there are certain people who will never be a fan of women's basketball. I have come to understand that, and they are entitled to their opinion. Those non-fans will always have complaints about the game, no matter what you do.

  We cannot compromise the game in an attempt to garner the fandom of a certain group of fans who will never come.

  Be honest, if you aren't already a fan of women's hoops, will a handful of rather-pedestrian dunks entice you enough to watch on a regular basis? I don't think so.

  So my only question is this: what do you hope to accomplish by lowering the rims?

  Do you hope to increase its popularity?

  Do you hope to make the game more exciting by increasing the number of dunks?

  Do you hope to improve the quality of play?

  Improving the quality of play should be the only motivation. And by doing so, the other two matters will take care of themselves. Increased talent, fundamentals, and yes, athleticism, makes for a more entertaining game to watch. That's how you increase popularity. You improve the product.

  Focus on developing fundamentals at the youth-through-high school levels, to actually improve play. Don't just aim for what-seems-to-be-improvement via superficial means. That's like resorting to liposuction to lose weight instead of changing your diet, training, and working hard.

  There will always be comparisons between men's and women's basketball. Even with lowered rims, comparisons are unfair. Until everyone realizes they are two vastly different games, the women's game will always be searching for ways to appeal to the 'common' fan.

  We cannot continue to look at what the women's game lacks. If improving the quality of play, improving the product, is truly our motivation, the 'lowering the rims' question would never be asked. 

  It will take time, and a lot of effort. But one thing's certain, the skill and fundamentals can be improved across the board. How can we do it?

  That's what we should be debating.

  So no thanks, Geno. Lowering the rims is a bad idea, and would do nothing to improve women's basketball.

No Practice, No Game. Now What?

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**Originally appeared on SLAM Online May 2nd, 2012**

  Days off typically are saving graces for us all, are they not? They give us a much-needed opportunity to rest physically, and decompress mentally. As a hooper in Europe, it's no different.

  On average, you have one day off per week -- to do absolutely nothing. No practice, no weights, no meetings, no obligations to speak of. How you choose to spend your rest day is completely up to you. 

  That one off day usually comes the day after a game, so you might find your body a little sore, and a little more tired than usual. You can stay in bed all day if you want and watch movies. Or you can get out and do something out of the ordinary, and change up your routine.

  But rest days abroad come with a caveat: many times they can become incredibly monotonous as well.

  I think people like routines (or maybe that's just me). No matter your job, if you have a schedule to keep, it makes things easier. Sure, there are times when you HATE that schedule. But for the most part, having a routine ensures that we're accountable. We know exactly where we're supposed to be, what we're supposed to be doing. 

  It's no different as an athlete.

  In college having a strict, busy schedule kept us out of trouble. Our days were accounted for almost from sunrise, to sundown. Yes, it was tiring. And we despised it at times. And we wondered what we would do if we didn't have to go to practice, or study table, or 6am weights. (To be fair, that schedule also helped us learn how to prioritize our lives, manage our time, and become disciplined.)

  But on those extra-special occasions when we got a day off during the week, usually by 4 o'clock that afternoon, we'd be completely lost (not to mention bored)! We wouldn't know what to do with ourselves.

  In Europe it's exactly the same. Obviously, we have no classes to attend, or homework to finish. But all week, we look forward to that day off. Where we don't have to be inside those all-too-familiar four walls of the gym, with the same people we see day-in-and-day-out. When we can do whatever we want to do, whenever we want to do it.

  But just as in college, as we grow accustomed to being on a schedule (such as being at practice at 11am and 6pm every day), when we suddenly don't HAVE to be there, we get bored.

  Your level of boredom can depend a great deal on what the city is like where you play. Obviously, if you're in a big city, it can be very easy to fill your free time. But if you're in a smaller city or town, off the beaten path, you have to search a little harder to fill your day!

  While I don't get homesick anymore, days off are when homesickness can rear its ugly head. You realize just how far away from home you really are. You're a continent away (and six to nine hours away, time-wise) from your family and your closest friends. Even with the wonders of the internet, most of the time they're all sleeping while you're awake and have nothing to do.

  So what do you do?

  You can only sleep so much, or watch so many movies (in my opinion, of course). Laying around all day is a surefire way to give me a bad case of cabin fever. But I'm sure there are people who say otherwise.

  Sure, I do try to sleep in as late as I possibly can (some days that works better than others). After my normal routine of checking the news and scores from the night before, and of course Twitter, and Facebook, I usually try to get out and get some fresh air.

  This season, I have been extremely blessed to live on the beach, so I am out on the sand as much as I can possibly be. In prior years, when I didn't have a beach to explore, I still found a way to get outside and get some fresh air. Whether it was out and about in the city, or a brisk walk in the cold Northern Swedish air (or on a snow mobile!), I always find a way get a little exercise, and a little fresh air.

  If your off day happens to land on a Sunday, which is often the case, nothing will be open. So for those of you who like to shop, there will be none of that. No errand running, no trips to the grocery store. Sundays in Europe truly are rest days for everyone.

  Again, the things you can do depends on where you're located. Maybe you can do a bit of traveling if you're a train-ride or drive away from any worthwhile sights.

  If you're in a place where you can easily travel, multiple off days are a blessing. Then you can be a tourist for a few days. It gives you the opportunity to get out and see some of the things that everyone thinks were over here seeing on a daily basis!

  It's nice to do something different, something fun, and something that will take you away from basketball for a bit. You find little things that interest you: reading, writing, movies, architecture of old Europe, sea glass hunting -- really, anything!

  I know, I know, what difficult lives we lead, right? Complaining about being bored on off days. Hope it doesn't sound like a complaint, I'm only trying to give you the player's perspective!

  Above all, rest days are a must. You have to allow your body and mind to recover from a long week of practice, and a physical game. If the downtime, and the quiet aren't for you, then this might not be the job for you either!

Shorter Hems for Women's Hoopsters?

France: Dresses for uniforms.

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**Originally appeared on SLAM Online April 4th, 2012**
  As a kid, the day you got your uniform was always one of the best days of the basketball season. You remember YMCA ball: when you got to put on your bright purple t-shirt for the first time.

  And as you got older, that day didn't lose any of its luster, as the uniforms usually got better and better with each passing year. Maybe you got to pick out your number that day too. But uniform day was exciting for another reason as well: the 'real' season was about to get underway.

  Even as a professional, uniform day is still one of the best. There's nothing like getting your gear, and donning it for the first time.

  As of late however, in Europe, uniform day is slowly turning into a nightmare for us ladies.

  Sponsors and the almighty dollar (or Euro, in this case) have always ruled. What they say goes. 

  Sponsors pay the bills after all, so it's understandable. If they want you at a dinner, you're there. If they want you at a community event, you're there. If they want you out shaking hands, there you are, shaking hands. And if they want you in tight shorts on the court, unfortunately for you, you'll be in tight shorts on the court.

  I was made aware of this my rookie season in Italy. After putting on my uniform shorts for the first time for Pool Comense, I immediately asked our manager if they had anything larger. The pair I had tried on, fit more like a pair of running shorts, or soccer shorts. I definitely hadn't worn a pair of basketball shorts THAT short since I was a youngster.

  Our manager smiled at me and said, 'the sponsors want the uniforms to show more of your bodies,' as she made a figure-outlining motion with her hands. I laughed it off, said ok, and wore the shorts I was given. 

  I never got used to them, as I tried stretching them out before each and every game, and probably wore them lower on my waist than I have ever worn a pair of shorts.

  That was my first season. Every year after that has been hit or miss in regards to uniforms. 

  Sometimes I've had the latest and greatest, Nike outfitted gear (that you can never complain about), and other times I've had lesser-known brands supply our uniforms. You roll with the punches, but I've always been given a basketball uniform.

  After this past year however, things are headed in the wrong direction. FIBA, the body that runs the highly-touted EuroLeague (among other competitions), recently enacted uniform regulations that ONLY applies to the women's league:

'The FIBA Europe prior to this season (2011-2012) accepted new regulations regarding uniforms in EuroLeague Women that state that shorts have to be at least 10 cm above the knee and there can be only two centimeters between the shorts and the skin.'

  They're regulating how long the shorts can be, and also how tight to the skin the shorts must be worn. 

  This begs the question: WHY?

  I'm not really sure what FIBA is trying to accomplish. If selling more tickets is a motivator, I'm curious, have attendance numbers increased since the uniform rule was instituted?

  As I mentioned before, sometimes the uniform requirements don't come from the leagues, but from individual team sponsors. In my nine professional seasons in Europe, I have played against a handful of teams who have worn dresses (including one this season).

  'Combi' uniforms (also called 'onesies' -- all spandex material you may have seen on the Australian National Team) have been adopted in various leagues around the world as well.

  But instances of the 'FIBA concept' of short/tight fitting uniforms are seemingly on the rise. In fact, the team I play for this season in France, is finalizing an equipment deal for next season that would put the team in such uniforms. 

  Maybe they're trying to put more femininity into the game? I, for one, don't think they look good. When I see players wearing these uniforms I think they no longer look like basketball players, and that they surely can't be comfortable. If the players aren't comfortable, I think it would only make their play suffer.

  Let's flip the script and say that all of a sudden, FIBA started mandating that the men play in ultra tight uniforms. Or took it a step further, and made them play shirtless. How would that go over? I know it would be met with HUGE uproar, and would quickly be overturned.

  If they're trying to make women's basketball 'sexy', they need to stop right there. Athletics are not meant to be sexy. People might say, look at tennis or volleyball uniforms! Fabulous. But tennis and volleyball players have been playing in those uniforms for decades.

  To quote FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann, "they are great athletes, but also beautiful athletes and there's no reason not to show it." No reason not to show 'it'. That statement has ZERO to do with the quality of basketball being played, and EVERYTHING to do sex-appeal.

  If I'm not mistaken, women's professional leagues have already tried, and failed, to use sex-appeal to promote the popularity of the sport. In early professional leagues in the US, women wore 'combi' uniforms. Those leagues quickly folded.

  Fans aren't interested in how tight the uniforms are worn. They are interested in watching high quality, entertaining basketball. That's it. There are countless other arenas of entertainment to get 'sexy' in the world. Let's keep that motivation out of basketball.

  One player, Diana Taurasi, refused to wear FIBA's tight-fitting uniforms this season, resulting in thousands of dollars worth of fines. For every EuroLeague Women game Taurasi played in, disobeying the new uniform rules, she was fined 2,000 Euro ($2,600). 

  Taurasi's team, Galatasaray of Turkey, played 18 EuroLeague games; equaling fines amounting to 36,000 Euro ($47,000). It's been reported that FIBA didn't fine her the full amount, but either way, it's a pretty expensive stance to be taking.

  I applaud Taurasi for standing up to FIBA, and letting them know her feelings. She was quoted in lovewomensbasketball.com in February as saying, 'They want to make basketball sexy, but basketball isn’t sexy, it’s a sport...The uniforms are cultural and we have been playing in them for years, that will not change. If you want sexy uniforms, go read Playboy.'

  Here's another reason I take issue with 'non-traditional' uniforms: the majority of European teams are run strictly by men. From the President, to the coach, on down to the board members. I've had one woman coach, and one woman in management in nine seasons. In addition, every single referee is a man (I think I remember having one woman referee since I've been playing in Europe). I'm also willing to bet that FIBA doesn't have many female representatives on staff.

  So I guess you can say it's a man's world, and women are just playing in it.

  Finally, it's not about 'do I look good in this uniform?' Or 'you're a beautiful woman, you should have no problem showing off your body'. Or having confidence in your body. It's that these uniforms are objectifying to a large degree (not to mention uncomfortable).

  Basketball should never be about gender. When I'm on the court, it's not about being a woman or worrying about being 'feminine enough'. On the court, I'm a basketball player first. A woman second. Off the court, those roles are reversed.

  I've always been excited to put on my uniform come game day. But put me in a tennis dress, a skirt, or a tight fitting uniform, and I suddenly don't feel like a basketball player anymore.

  For me, it's always been about being an athlete, and playing the game well. Maybe fans' thoughts are different than mine. But isn't the object of professional basketball to play the game, and to play it to the best of your abilities?

  Hopefully FIBA (and sponsors, for that matter) listens to its players, and realizes they've made a mistake. Their sole motivation should be improving the quality of the game, and increasing the popularity of women's basketball in that manner, not objectifying its players with ridiculous uniforms.

Expect the Unexpected

Comense: Italian Champs 2004.

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**Originally appeared on SLAM Online March 8th, 2012**
  If there's one trait you need to play for an extended stretch overseas - and not go loony -it's the ability to adjust on the fly. You have got to be able to roll with the punches. I might go as far to say: expect the unexpected. Even then, you're bound to have a surprise or two.

  From year to year, team to team, things are never the same. What may have been the norm for one club, might be unheard of for another. Any previous assumptions should be thrown out the window when you go into a new season.

  And if you're coming straight from college, toss those US-norms even further out the window. 

  What am I talking about?

  Living arrangements, practice schedules, roommates' habits, team routines, language barriers, gym/arena problems, travel/hotel accommodations, payment issues, media/fan critique, the list goes on and on! No one thing can be taken for granted.

The Moment of Truth
  Year to year, you never know what you're going to get when you walk into your apartment for the first time. I always say to myself, if I wouldn't live in it in the US, it's not acceptable to live in while in Europe either. I think clubs try to take advantage of inexperienced players sometimes, and try to get away with less-than-stellar apartments.

  On two occasions, in my nine seasons abroad, I've had to ask to be moved to a hotel until they found something more suitable. First and second year players might be hesitant to speak up when living arrangements aren't up to par. But in reality, if you're not happy off the court, your production on the court will suffer.

  But at the same time, you need to keep in mind what reality is. The US and Europe are vastly different places, so your expectations need to reflect those differences.

  And depending on the club, they may or may not ask you to live with teammates. Whatever your preference may be, that could be a good or a bad thing. I have always preferred to live by myself while in Europe, but I've had roommates on several occasions as well.

  Now what about on the court?

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
  First and foremost, your coach and/or teammates might not speak English. If they do, great -- you're good to go! But if they don't, you have to be ready to watch and learn. During drills you might need to go to the end of the line, so you know exactly what's going on when it's your turn.

  You learn by observing. And you'd be amazed at how quickly you pick up basketball terms. That's always a great moment when you're able to understand your coach's instructions without having to go to the end of the line.

  You also need to make quick-friends with someone who will translate for you. I've had great teammates throughout the years who have had the patience to translate pre-game talks, practice rants, and day-to-day communication with coaches or presidents. You really can't make it without them!

  I'm sure many of you have seen the movie Love and Basketball. The locker room scene in Spain is actually somewhat realistic -- where Monica relies on a teammate to translate her coach's pre-game speech. Although 'he say to give the ball to you' might be a SLIGHT exaggeration!

  One thing I had no problem adjusting to was learning the that phrase 'get on the baseline' (in whatever language), was no-longer cause for a panic-attack. Anyone who's run countless suicides during practice can appreciate that! Throughout my time in Europe, I haven't had to run too many suicides -- which has been a welcomed change.

Home Court Advantage
  The gyms can be cause for concern at times as well. There might be days where there's no heat in the gym when you arrive for practice or a game. It might be 50 degrees inside the gym, but guess what, you still have to play!

  My first season in Italy, we played in Napoli in December or January. Since it's in the south of Italy, and there's really only one 'cold' month, the gym didn't have much of  a heating system. The host team had blankets on their bench so they were prepared. But I certainly wasn't. My hands were like icicles, and I was stiff, and miserable the whole game.

  This season in France, the heat in our gym is hit or miss. Some days it's there, some days it's not. You just have to come prepared.

  I learned by my fourth season abroad, in Poland, to have long tights and long sleeves to practice in -- just in case. But I'm always happy when I don't need them!

Plane, Train, or Automobile
  Another thing you need to be ready to adjust to is how your team travels to away games. Depending on the country and club, you could see anything. You could have the best/fastest scenario: taking a plane. Or you can have the worst: taking 12-hour bus rides.

  The most difficult travel situation I've had to adjust to was while I played in Germany. We would ALWAYS travel the day of the game. No matter how far we had to travel. Eight-hour bus rides on the day of the game made for an interesting time. It's not your preference. But guess what, you adjust and learn to deal with it. It's amazing that we actually won some of those games!

No Pay, No Play
  Probably the most important adjustment is learning how to handle late payments. If you play long enough, they're bound to happen. With the exception of one or two seasons (thankfully I can include this season in that list), I have had clubs not pay me on time at some point.

  There can be numerous reasons as to why you're not getting paid on time: president is unhappy with your team's performance, sponsors/city are late giving the club funds, they don't have the money, paperwork/accounting issues. Whatever the reasons, you're never happy when payday has passed, and you haven't seen your check.

  None of those reasons are good reasons, but it's what might happen. And how you respond can vary a great deal. It might depend on the club's reputation, your working relationship with management, your own previous experiences, economic climate, etc.

  It's not unheard of to sit out practice if a team is late paying you. After all, you're there for a reason: you're there to play basketball and get paid for it. When the money's not there, you don't play. Some people have the motto: 'No pay, no play.'

  If management is up front with you (in cases where sponsors are late providing funds), and they have shown you can trust them, you might give them a little leeway. But if they get too far behind (and that's at your discretion), you have to put your foot down. Otherwise you are getting taken advantage of.

  Imagine your employer missing your payday! How long would you stand for that?

  In my opinion, it's never okay for a team to withhold your payment because of lost games or poor performances on the court. But it happens (it happened to me on two or three occasions -- and each time, I handled it differently).

  Sometimes the situations can be pretty complicated, and vary a great deal depending on each scenario. Payments/late payments seem to be what people are most-interested in hearing about, so if the interest is there, I'll do a follow up with more in-depth situations.

You Can't Please Everyone
  Smaller issues such as: dealing with fan/media critique after poor performances (they can be very blunt), sometimes not having a trainer present at practice (makes things interesting if there's an injury), less-than-standard hotel stays, not being able to get a phone/internet put in your apartment for three-plus weeks -- can also arise at some point during your time overseas. You just have to try to not let it bother you, and move on.

  All in all, you need to pick your battles -- because you're not going to get everything exactly how you want. What is TRULY important to you? Those are the things you need to speak up about, and demand to have taken care of. Do your best to remain professional, and remember what you are there to do.

  To be as successful as you possibly can, you have to be able to roll with the punches, and do what you do best: hoop!

The Ins and Outs of Euro-Ball

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**Originally appeared on SLAM Online February 21st, 2012**

  I don't know how familiar many of you are with the how things work in world of European basketball, so I wanted to give you all a little background. The ins and outs, so-to-speak.

  With the influx of international stars into the NBA/WNBA in the last decade, and then with the lockout this year, European basketball is suddenly more visible in the States. But just because it's more visible, doesn't mean we understand it any better. So hopefully I can answer some questions you may have!

  Unless I specifically say otherwise, this is how things work in both men's and women's hoops in Europe (from my experience!). And generally speaking, each country works the same, with the exception of a few rules here and there. (I'm speaking of the domestic leagues, not EuroLeague/EuroCup/etc which have a whole different set of rules.)

Professional Divisions 

  First and foremost, nearly EVERY country has multiple professional leagues, and they've been in existence for decades. What differentiates the leagues, is the budgets of the teams, and the number of foreigners each team is allowed to have.

Foreigners Allowed

  The number of foreigners is where you'll see the biggest difference in rules.

  On the women's side, the rule generally is that a team can have two or three foreigners on its roster. For example, I'm in France this season, so we have two non-French players (myself, and a Ukrainian) and the rest are French (or carry a French passport). I have had seasons where I have been the only foreigner (last season in Sweden, for example), and I have also been on a team with three other foreigners (also in Sweden, in 2008-09).

  The men's side is more complicated, and varies quite a bit more. Probably because stakes are higher, with larger salaries, bigger crowds, etc... In some countries (Germany and Belgium, off the top of my head), there is no limit to the number of foreigners a team can carry. But, there is a rule that at least five players on the roster must be domestic players. So in those countries, many times you'll see six or seven Americans scattered throughout team's rosters. 

  Other countries have rules about the number of domestic players that are required to be on the floor at all times. The rules are a bit controversial, and seem to be changing on a yearly basis, so it's all a little difficult to keep track of.

  The roster rules are in place mostly to ensure the development of the local talent. If every team could field an unlimited number of foreigners, the number of jobs for domestic players would drop across the board.

Team Funding 

  Secondly, how teams are funded is vastly different from how it's done in American professional sports. Salaries are paid by sponsorships for the most part. Which is why you see uniforms covered in logos and company names. It's also the reason why multi-year contracts are rare in Europe (you only see multi-year deals involving the biggest/richest clubs). 

  I have never signed a contact longer than one season. Since salaries are paid by sponsors, you never quite know, on a year-to-year basis, what a team's budget will be. So you don't want to tie yourself to a situation where a team may not be able to pay your salary. Clubs many times, are partially funded by city subsidies as well.  

Domestic Leagues vs. International Leagues

  If a team plays only in their domestic league, they'll play a game just once a week, for the most part (on the weekend). And they'll only play games within their country (so my team this year plays only on Saturdays, and only against other French teams).

  Four or five teams per league can also play in outside/International leagues (EuroLeague, EuroCup, EuroChallenge, etc). In those cases, teams will have games during the week, on top of their domestic league games. International games are usually reserved for weekdays, either Tuesday or Wednesday in most cases. 

  All the leagues are separate entities, and a team's win-loss record in one league has no bearing on the other.

Agents 

  Now how do you go about finding a team, and securing a contract in Europe? That's one aspect that is the same as American professional sports. The best way to find a team is to sign with a quality agent. They'll contact teams, negotiate for you, and hopefully find the best possible situation for you, both on and off the court.

  I no longer have an agent, however. Since I have been overseas for almost 10 years, I have developed numerous relationships and connections along the way. My last three jobs have come about because of prior relationships, through former teammates, coaches, and the like. 

  Both ways have worked out just fine for me.

What's in a Contract?

  Finally, you might wonder what a run-of-the-mill contract get you. 

  Most-importantly, you get a furnished apartment to live. Many times, a car is also a part of your contract (though you must pay for the gas of course). It's also commonplace to have at least two round-trip plane tickets as part of the deal (so you can go home at Christmas). 

  I've also had it in various contracts that I am provided with one meal a day from a local restaurant, or given a food stipend on a monthly basis. 

  You're also provided with health insurance, which as we know is a huge perk! And of course, your payment schedule should be included! 

  There can be other things, based on your needs (if you have a family, for example), but that's what a barebones contract will get you in Europe.

  Hopefully I've answered the basic questions that many of you might have about Euro-hoops. If you are curious about anything else, or want further explanation, don't hesitate to ask!

Get-Mine vs.Team-First

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**Originally appeared on SLAM Online February 7th, 2012**

  As a hooper, you learn to balance the 'get mine' attitude with the 'team first' attitude early in your career.

  Then, if you're fortunate enough, and the game takes you overseas as a professional, the balancing act takes on a whole different meaning. Because at that point, your livelihood is on the line.

  Americans, both male and female, have been coming across the pond for decades to continue their playing careers on foreign soil. Through those years, thousands of players have provided fans, GMs, and coaches in Europe with certain expectations that continue on today.

  See, Americans playing in Europe have a certain reputation. One of being a scorer, a shooter, a me-first player, and probably even selfish. It's no secret that general managers in Europe bring in Americans to bolster their team's scoring attack, so it's no wonder that the 'me-first' American reputation developed over time.

  But it's a slippery slope.

  On one hand you have to live up to those expectations. If scoring is what they want, then scoring is what you need to give them. Otherwise, GMs have no problem finding another American who will happily fill your roster spot (and take your paycheck). Many times, Americans (or foreigners) are at the top of their team's pay scale. So you can imagine, GMs and fans want to see results on the court.

  Naturally, that creates pressure on the player to perform.

  But if, by trying to live up to those expectations, you become too selfish, shoot too much, play too much 'on your own', it's easy to see how that becomes detrimental to the team. And that's one thing you can never do: put your own performance ahead of your team's.

  I've been in the crowd at men's games, when you start to hear grumbling from fans on those days when a certain American isn't performing up to par. Or on the other hand, when he's seemingly out to only 'get his'.

  It's then, that I wonder what comes out of the mouths of fans at my games. And as much as you try to avoid newspapers, there's always that time when you find out what that headline or article, aimed at you, means.

  Over the years, I've learned you can't please everyone. Play to your own expectations. No one else's. Enjoy your time on the court, and of course play hard. Hustle and heart make up for any mistakes that will undoubtedly be made.

  Above all, just like it is everywhere in the world, winning trumps everything. So do your damnedest to find that balance. Because regardless of what you do on the court, if, at the end of 40 minutes, your team is on top, you're going to be just fine.

Intro to DubBall

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**Originally appeared on SLAM Online November 2nd, 2011 in what was originally called DubBall**

  Hey women's hoops fans! I can't tell you how excited I am to be involved with DubBall, and how thrilled I am that women's basketball (and its players) will be getting a platform it so much deserves.

  I've been a gym rat/hoopaholic since I was about eight years old. Matter of fact, I can't remember a time in my life where basketball wasn't front and center. So I'm excited to be sharing my experiences with people who love the game just as much as I do.

 I'm in the midst of my ninth season as a professional player in Europe. I've been all over the map in those nine seasons: Italy (two seasons), Portugal, Poland, Bosnia, Sweden (two seasons), Germany, and now France.

  I've seen a lot in my time in Europe, both on the court and off, and my hope it to share some of those experiences with you all! It's an adjustment for an American to move to Europe (both to play, and to live). Some of the quirks that make Europe special you learn to love, and some you never get accustomed to!

  My time overseas has been an awesome adventure, and I look forward to re-telling some of my tales.

  Before making the jump to Europe, I played at the University of Colorado from 1999-2003. In my four years as a CU Buff, we made three NCAA appearances; advancing to one Sweet 16 (22=003), and one Elite 8 (2002). I graduated in 2003 with a degree in psychology.

  Originally, I'm from Lake Oswego, Oregon (Lakeridge High School); and still make that my home in the off season. Though, I do find time to make frequent visits to Colorado as well!

  I invite you to hop on board with me this season, I'll try to make it a fun ride! Looking forward to hearing from you readers, and would love to answer any questions you might have.