Why NBA Stars Won't Be Taking Their Talents to Europe

With the NBA lockout in full swing and the news options for ESPN dwindling by the second, it seems that more and more NBA stars are coming forward to express their interest in playing in Europe should the season be postponed or cancelled. News flash - this isn't going to happen. While we may see mid-level players head across the pond, there is no way a superstar will be joining them. Why not? There's too much risk involved. How is it a good idea to work in a country that you don't speak the language, earn a fraction of your regular paycheck, play in arenas that are the size of U.S. high school gyms and have crowds smaller than a midnight showing of Harry Potter? It's only a good idea if your last name is Iverson or Marbury. This is simply the player's union trying to gain some leverage against the owners. "You don't want to meet our demands? Fine, we'll just play in Europe." Give me a break. Shame on ESPN for labeling this as "Breaking News." The only thing this is breaking is the hearts of the 17 fans that show up for basketball games in Europe.

[Enough Already]: Divisions

By Tyler Young
ZONQ Sports

Enough already, I get it. You want to try and separate your league up into divisions to create geographic rivalries or create an extra accomplishment for teams to advertise to their fans. But since when did winning the NBA's Northwest Division become newsworthy. Here's an idea, get rid of the divisions. There is no point. Just have the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. And I'm not talking about just basketball. Do it for all of the professional leagues. I'm sure that this whole problem stemmed from the professional leagues trying to emulate the college conference format. But guess what? They don't come close to comparing. Winning the SEC is an accomplishment. Winning your NHL division is about as necessary as setting your DVR for a Law & Order marathon. You know it's gonna happen again, so why make a big deal about it?

These divisions are actually hurting some leagues too. Look at Major League Baseball. The three best teams in all of baseball are playing in the AL East. But only two teams out of the Rays, Yankees, and Red Sox, are actually going to make the playoffs. How is that possibly good for baseball? Just lose the divisions, take the top four teams in each league, and there is your playoff. This plan not only makes things more fair but ensures that the top four teams in each league are actually participating in the playoffs. Jeez! Enough already!

[Enough Already] is a column written by Tyler Young that appears exclusively on ZONQ Sports.

Happy 200th Post!

Today marks the 200th post for ZONQ Sports! Look for more frequent updates, new contributors, and even more of the original content that ZONQ Sports has brought you over the past 2 years!

PAC 10 Unveils New Logo, Mathematically Correct Name Change

By Tyler Young
ZONQ Sports

In one of the worst kept secrets (see: Uni Watch Blog), the PAC 10 unveiled their new logo yesterday. This shield is a vast improvement over the old rectangular logo. Note the addition of the mountains to signal the addition of Colorado and Utah in the next few years. The obvious question was answered at the unveiling: Will the league change from the PAC 10 to the PAC 12? Answer: yes. Alright Big 10 (11, soon to be 12), you're next. What do you think is the best name for the Big 10?

North Korean Fans Really Actors?

By Tyler Young
ZONQ Sports

Several news sources, including UK Telegraph and Deadspin, are reporting that the groups of North Korean fans at yesterday's World Cup were really Chinese actors. They claim to all be "volunteers" and that they were not compensated for their trip but come on, do you really believe that? This is coming from the government that claimed that their "Supreme Leader" Kim Jong-il communicates with their head coach via telekinesis. Oh yeah, and that he is an avid golfer that has four or five holes-in-one PER ROUND. Right.

Qatar Unveils Solar Stadiums for 2022 World Cup

By Tyler Young
ZONQ Sports

Qatar is currently among about a dozen countries, including the United States, that are competing to be host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The country announced today that they plan on including five new stadiums that are powered by solar energy specifically for the tournament. Head over to Gizmodo to see the others. These are some pretty cool designs.

LeBron James & The Brooklyn Nets

By Tyler Young
ZONQ Sports

While it may sound like the next indie folk band, LeBron James & The Brooklyn Nets will be an image you will grow used to seeing. You read it here first. Well maybe not first. Or third. But while everyone is making their "Where in the World Will LeBron End Up?' predictions, I'll throw my hat in the ring and pick the Brooklyn (New Jersey) Nets. While a lot still depends on next week's NBA Lottery, the Nets will eventually emerge as the favorites. You can't tell me that the thought of LeBron James, Devin Harris, and John Wall doesn't excite you. Not even a little bit? You lie. Let's examine the pros:

Pros

• LeBron loves NYC. He wears Yankees hats to Cleveland Indians games! Concrete jungles where dreams are made of. LeBron is a big dreamer. He wants to be the first athlete billionaire. It seems like he's more concerned with becoming an icon than winning games. He will become Brooklyn.

• There's not much left to try in Cleveland. Obviously things haven't worked out and what makes anyone think that they will. NYC brings a fresh beginning. These streets will make you feel brand new.

• The cast in Cleveland is subpar. There I said it. LeBron James has 99 problems and they start with Danny Ferry, Mo Williams, JJ Hickson, Anderson Varejao, Shaquille O'Neal. You get the idea. LeBron makes these guys look a lot better than they really are.

• Brooklyn baby! These lights will inspire you. The Barclays Center will be the envy of the NBA and what better place to put your name on the marquee.

• Mikhail Prokhorov. The new Russian billionaire/owner of the Nets will give LeBron everything he wants and more. Good girls gone bad, the city is filled with them. Can't you see LeBron and Mikhail hitting up the clubs together? Epic.

• And in case you haven't already picked up on all of the lyrics littered throughout this post: Jay-Z. LeBron idolizes Jay-Z, who just happens to be part owner of the Nets. Match made in heaven.

Con(s)

• They are still the New Jersey Nets. They haven't really done much since their ABA days but maybe LeBron digs that.

Call me crazy but I believe next season will bring forth a new era in the NBA that will see a #6 jersey running up and down the court in Newark with James written on the back. Who is going to run this town tonight? LeBron James, obviously.

Random Thoughts on Big 10 Expansion

By Tyler Young
ZONQ Sports

Speculation continues to grow concerning the Big 10 (11? 12? 14? 16?) and what their plans are for expansion. All parties involved continue to deny that any offers or even talks have been had but as we learned with the ACC expansion in 2004, where there is smoke, there is usually fire. Some reports have invitations to Notre Dame, Missouri, Nebraska, and Rutgers. Haven't they gotten tired of being rejected by Notre Dame? Just move on already. Missouri and Nebraska are excellent choices. Can you imagine annual games involving Ohio State/Nebraska, Michigan Nebraska, or Penn State/Nebraska? Incredible. Rutgers is somewhat of a boring move. I get bringing in the New York market but is Rutgers really the caliber of other Big Ten schools? Not really.

If they decide to go to more than 12 teams (which many people are reporting), what does that mean for the rest of the NCAA landscape. Well first, it means no more Big 12. At least not in the form we know it now. Missouri and Nebraska would go to the Big 10, Colorado would most likely go to the PAC 10 and you know the SEC would flirt with Texas and Oklahoma. While we wait for what could be the most earth-shattering shift in the college landscape history, the aftershocks may be what surprises us all.