According to reports, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard is the latest NBA player threatening to take his talents overseas if the NBA lockout claims all or a portion of the 2011-2012 season. According to Howard, there's a huge possibility that he will play in China next season unless NBA owners and players can agree on a new collective bargaining agreement that will pay the latter at least 50 percent of League revenue.

 

In an apparent attempt to gain leverage over the owners, more and more star players are showing interest in opportunities overseas. New Jersey Nets point guard, Deron Williams has already agreed to a $5-million deal with Turkish club Besiktas, and Kobe Bryant has insinuated that he, too, might export his game if the right deal falls in his lap.

 

Though Asian and European markets may appear to offer the NBA Players Union a strong advantage over the owners, in reality, they are only exposing a huge rift in player solidarity.

 

For high profile, star players, such as Bryant and Howard, foreign teams offer a way to make money despite being locked out of the NBA. Unfortunately for other, relatively small-name players, these opportunities aren't available; and many may be forced to sit out next season, while their union brothers make millions playing for teams in other countries.

 

Most everyone knows that the strength of unions lies in strong solidarity and mutual sacrifice--everyone, that is, except for the star NBA player who seems set to look after himself over union goals.

 

Even if some of these players act on their threats and lace up their shoes for foreign organizations, it won't faze the owners who are joined shoulder-to-shoulder in a mutual goal. The hundreds of relatively low-profile players who lack opportunities from foreign clubs will have no choice but to settle at some point, and star players will come crawling back once the deal is done.

 

Though some may argue that players are enhancing their stance in labor talks by entertaining offers from Asian and European clubs, in reality, they are only proving that their union is weak and that players are not united.

 

- Ryan Lawrence