European Talent vs NBA Veterans

CBSSportsline columnist Ray Ratto has an interesting article discussing the fact that teams are leaning towards the acquisition of retired NBA players rather than using European talent. It makes sense because even though European younger talent may offer fresher legs and more playing time, they don't offer the experience of a seasoned NBA veteran, like a Reggie Miller, Penny Hardaway or Allan Houston. These guys can not only provide guidance for younger players on a squad but also can even help other all-star veterans improve their games. All 3 of the names mentioned above have playoff experience as well.

From CBSSportsline.com:

"Well, the news today is that the rest of the world is apparently tapped out, basketball-wise, because the NBA is moving to a new strategy for talent acquisition.

Greatest hits.

The Miami Heat's decision to sign Penny Hardaway to play with his old bete noire, Shaquille O'Neal, came well out of the blue, but when placed atop the Boston Celtics' interest in noted 42-year-old jump shooter Reggie Miller, and rumored comeback attempts by Scottie Pippen, Allan Houston, Charles Oakley and Shawn Kemp, you get a different picture, namely this:

Europe is empty. Strip-mined. Out of that talent it was supposed to have in abundance.

Of course, we kid Europe because we love it so. And Yi Jianlian, please come visit Milwaukee, or as it has become known in Chinese media circles, the Secret City. We love tall young potential stars. Sure beats old used-to-be-stars.

This sudden race for the Basketball Encyclopedia seems daft, of course, but with the obvious exception of Danny Ainge, who is now in full try-anything mode, the sudden fascination with players who are not just retired but really retired indicates that more teams are looking not for shiny new toys but beaten-up old ones who can impart wisdom as well as give 10-12 minutes per game.

And who would come relatively cheap, we can assume. Other than Kemp, the only player in NBA history who could honestly say he was doing it for his family, the other recycle-ees have made their pile and in any event aren't coming into this with any discernible leverage.

But the European game, and the expansion into China, was supposed to eliminate the need for the old classics, wasn't it? It was, as the marketing bozos like to say, "an untapped market."

Read the full CBSSportsline article here.

A Houston Comeback?

First Reggie Miller is contacted by the Boston Celtics about making an NBA comeback. Now it appears Allan Houston, former New York Knicks star, is also considering a return to the NBA.

From ESPN.com:

"Reggie Miller is not the only former All-Star shooting guard considering a comeback. Allan Houston, one of the deadliest jump shooters of the past 15 years, is also looking to return to the NBA.

"It's something I'd like to do,'' Houston said in a telephone interview Thursday morning. "It's just a matter of getting myself back in game shape and getting used to playing again.''

Houston, 36, was forced into retirement in October 2005 after an arthritic left knee limited him to just 70 games over the previous two seasons. In 2002-2003, his last full season, he led the Knicks and finished 10th in the NBA with a career-high 22.5 point scoring average.

Houston, who worked as an NBA analyst for ESPN last season, said he has been working out hard for more than a month and that his knee feels great. He recently played in high-caliber (though not NBA level) summer league games in New York and plans to work out in Las Vegas with a personal basketball trainer later this month.

He would not discuss which, if any, teams have shown interest in signing him, but sources say Dallas and Cleveland headline the list of interested clubs. Boston, which has contacted Miller about a comeback, Phoenix, Miami and perhaps San Antonio, are also teams that would be logical destinations."

While Houston is a good 6 years younger than Miller, but it's tough to say what type of shape either guy would arrive to a team in. You'd also have to weigh in Houston's injury to his knee which has plagued him in the past.

Houston took a trip this past July to Uganda, Africa. You can see video and info about his trip at his website. Check out allanhouston.com the official website for Allan Houston.