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I am intrigued by how players treat the NBA like it is the only option for them. I recently came across an article that former Lakers player Dwight Howard was contemplating retirement because he could not secure an NBA team. Given that he is 38 years old, retirement isn't a strange thing to hear, but the reason is all too commonplace.

We have tons of former NBA veterans who have stepped away from the sport after they failed to secure new NBA contracts. Some have called it quits and ventured into other pursuits while many still train and hope of making a comeback into the NBA, ignoring the chance to ply their trade elsewhere.

Willing to Shift

It is a given that the NBA is the place to be when it comes to basketball, and is also the most rewarding. Yet for those who choose to look elsewhere there are also decent offers in other countries and leagues which may end up being worthwhile and satisfying. A few NBA players have made the jump and continue to have active professional careers outside it.

There is a of course the Euro league which people refer to as the second best basket balling league in the World. The top teams offer some pretty attractive packages and the overall quality of the league is almost, if not, on par with the NBA.

We also have a fast developing market in Asia, particularly China. It is not unusual to see former NBA stars get big money offers in China which is trying to grow their sports industry (they also tried something similar with soccer). Philippines has also been a decent basketball home even though the financial offers pale in comparison.

I think it is important that players realize there are alternatives outside the NBA for several reasons. As I have stated earlier, I think the NBA needs some form of competition. What we have not still pales in comparison to what I imagine things should be like. There should be decent alternatives for players to go if they cannot make it in the NBA, like we have in soccer for instance.

The Courage to Move On

Players must also summon courage to be willing to explore other areas. The general basketball professional mindset for those who go through the U.S college basketball system is that the NBA is the only option; it is not. Exploring other areas can be mutually beneficial in many regards.

For instance, it will provide needed quality for places that seek to raise their basketball standards and promote the sport. Players actually have the chance to take part in building something new while receiving packages that allow them continue the dream of being professional basketball players.

Furthermore, if there is still a dream of playing in the NBA fir those who are cut, then actually continuing elsewhere affords them an opportunity to work their way back.

Finally, the NBA can only take so many players (about 400 plus). No matter what, many quality players will be left out. Rather than throw in the towel, those talents can be used developing basketball elsewhere.

There are actually quite a lot of players in the Euroleague for instance who have turned down opportunities to play in the NBA. Some are former NBA players who have settled down in the league, while some are European stars who see no reason to become dispensable players in the NBA.

Conclusion

Not playing in the NBA isn't the end of the World, and need not be the end of an athletes career. There is a growing list of opportunity out there for basketball players that will get bigger and bigger.