Some guys took their talents to Europe. A few opted for China. Others stayed home and became fixtures in rec leagues and charity games. Many NBA players were able to find a way to stay on the basketball court as they waited for the new CBA to be worked out. Some excelled, and others… not so much (cough..TY LAWSON..cough). Anyway, here are the five who made the most noise. I’ve selected two players who went to Europe, two who stayed home, and one who’s stuck in China. I decided to go with a G/G/F/F/F format because it was the only way I could make a spot for all five of the players I feel are most deserving. Sorry, centers.
G: Deron Williams
Deron left such an impression in Turkey that his team, Besiktas, elected to retire his #8. He only played with the club for about a month and a half, but during that time he helped them remain undefeated in both the Turkish Basketball League and the EuroChallenge. Of all the American players who left for Europe, Deron probably made the transition the most smoothly. His best moment came on the 22nd of November when topped his career-high at any level of basketball with a 50-point game. I think most people are in agreement that a jersey retirement is probably premature for anyone who didn’t even complete a full season with the team, but deserving of that honor or not, Deron has a great case for lockout MVP.
G: John Wall
The young Wizard most notably dominated the Impact Competitive Training Series (AKA the “Lockout League”) that took place in Vegas back in September. He debuted with 42 points and went on to have more 40+ performances as he displayed his unbelievable combination of skill and athleticism. He also made his presence felt at a variety of charity games and helped the Goodman League knock off the Drew League in a summertime showdown of DC and LA. He was a human highlight factory in the process…
F: Andrei Kirilenko
During the NBA’s absense, the Euroleague became the world’s premier basketball outfit. AK47 is the primary reason that CSKA Moscow is undefeated in Euroleague right now, and he was probably on track to take MVP honors had the NBA and it’s players not come to an agreement. He only took part in five rounds of competition due to a broken nose, yet he earned weekly MVP honors twice. He was also leading the league in rebounding.
F: Wilson Chandler
Wilson Chandler has been the most successful of the various NBA Nuggets players who took their talents to China this season. Through five games he’s averaging 32 points and 12 boards, and he’s got the Guangsha Lions sitting at 3-2. That record may not seem very good, but it’s acceptable when you consider how little help he’s gotten. Former NBA 12th man Dwayne Jones was holding Guangsha’s other American roster spot until he was waived due to disappointing play. Chandler’s been a beast thus far, plain and simple.
F: Kevin Durant
KD didn’t sign any deals to play overseas, but he was ballin’ all over the USA this summer. From scoring 66 at Rucker Park to leading Goodman over Drew in a battle of East versus West, if there was an exhibition game to be played, Kevin Durant was there to dominate it. While other NBA stars like LeBron James and Chris Paul also made frequent (and impressive) appearances in some of the same games, I wouldn’t say anyone but Durant did anything to further their legend on U.S. soil this summer. Had the lockout lasted much longer Kevin probably would’ve become a full-blown streetball legend.
