International Intelligence: The San Antonio Spurs & the Future of the NBA's Small Markets

Tim Duncan (left) and Tony Parker (right) headed to their
5th and 4th NBA Finals, respectively.

Last night, the San Antonio Spurs completed a sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies winning Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals  93-86. The general consensus coming into this series was that it was evenly matched and many even predicted the Grizzlies to be at an advantage by simply being the younger, fresher team. This was not the case. Time, apparently, has no effect on the San Antonio Spurs. In 14 years, since 1999, the Spurs have won 4 championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007), been to the Western Conference Finals 7 times (50% of the time!), and have made the playoffs all 14 times (losing in the first round only 3 times). Needless to say, that's an impressive run.
What's more impressive, however, is that the Spurs have been winning over that time period with much of the same organization, even at court-level. Coach Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan have won 4 titles together. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have been on the team for 3 of them (all but 1999). That's 4 core guys who, at a minimum, have had title winning experience for 10 years. Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili are particularly impressive for such a sustained high level of play over these past 10 years, because players simply don't last that long in basketball, especially at their best. Their collective ability to adapt to new roles and styles of play have made them a reliable force to be reckoned with in a league that is constantly changing with the ebbs and flows of star free agents. Luckily, the Spurs have held on to three sure-fire hall-of-famers for more than a decade and counting.
Oddly enough, none of those guys, or the many of the players in supporting roles over the years for the Spurs, were born in the United States: Tim Duncan is from St. Croix. Tony Parker is from France. Manu Ginobili is from Argentina. This year's roster features key role players Tiago Splitter (Brazil) and Boris Diaw (France). Past title-team foreigners include Rasho Nesterovich (2005, C, Slovenia), Beno Udrih (2005 & 2007, G, Slovenia), Francisco Elson (2007, C, Netherlands), and Fabricio Oberto (2007, F, Argentina) - all of whom made an impact for the well-oiled winning machine that is the San Antonio Spurs. There appears to be a focus, and, more importantly, a history of success in investing in overseas talent for the small-market Spurs - especially as larger American stars gravitate towards big-market, luxury locations (think LeBron James to Miami, Chris Paul and Dwight Howard to the two teams Los Angeles).
As you might expect, other teams have picked up on this trend and have enlisted stars from overseas as well: The Memphis Grizzles, whom the Spurs just swept, boasted Defensive Player-of-the-Year Marc Gasol (Spain). His brother, Pau, recently won a pair of titles with the LA Lakers. The German sensation Dirk Novitski notoriously led the Dallas Mavericks to upset the Miami Heat for the 2011 NBA crown. The Minnesota Timberwolves even waited a full year after drafting his rights to steal Ricky Rubio away from his team in Spain. However, no team has utilized the value of international role and complementary players like the San Antonio Spurs over the years and no team has had the constant success they have had in doing it.
The players of most value as the NBA moves towards the future may very well come from overseas. Many point to the shrewd statistically-driven team assembling (drafting, signing and trading) of small-market teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder as the future of smart NBA teams stuck in a small market. Yet, the importance of international investment cannot be overlooked (even the Thunder boast Congolese-Spanish Serge Ibaka) . Every market has inefficiencies waiting for a savvy investor to exploit and the NBA's player market is no different. Once a small market team has at least one talented star to build around, the most valuable of those complementary pieces may very well come from overseas where information is incomplete and successful scouting can go a longer way than it would in the star-driven (show me the money!) States.
It, of course, is no secret that teams would need start with that one star - Tim Duncans, Kobe Bryants, and LeBrons don't grow on trees - but the best teams, especially those limited in small markets will surround those players with productive role players who are willing to go sign for reasonable and flexible contracts, which are much easier to make happen where there is less competition. Small-market teams had best get moving when the getting is good: While the Spurs have shown it that the international cache of talent is far from tapped out, their continued success, due in large part to their successful international scouting of role players, will soon attract higher and higher volumes of competition from fellow NBA executives looking to build smart for the future. Unfortunately, as long as teams like my beloved Philadelphia 76ers (not small-market, but certainly not high in attendance revenue) consecutively draft notable American swingmen and overpay for somewhat-useful American role players, smart teams like the Spurs will continue to exploit the undervaluing of international talent - and continue to win by doing so.

Appreciating America and Critiquing Cultures

Those of you who know me know that I recently spent the last 4-plus months of my life studying abroad in London and traveling Europe. In short, it was a good time. I blogged a lot about my travels and liked it enough to decide to continue blogging from time to time this summer. Welcome to Nonsense & Minutiae - a blog about anything I feel like writing about for the foreseeable future. If it's mediocre, I'll call it a win.

Anyway, like I was saying, I traveled quite a bit: 13 cities, 11 countries, and 3 continents. I learned a little about a lot of different cultures, and thought it might be worth sharing an idiots-guide Do's-and-Don'ts about each city I visited, in case you ever decide to go (or just want to learn from a limited perspective). Enjoy:

London:

Do's: 
1. Bring a good rain jacket - Nearly every day during my January to May stay was rainy and  (usually) cold. That's just London weather. Don't even bother looking at the weather each day. Assume rain and be happily surprised when the overcast clouds don't break. I can count the sunny and clear days on my fingers, so seriously - grab a jacket.

2. Take advantage of the pub scene - As an American college student who recently turned 21, the drinking culture in London just dwarfs what I'm used to in the United States. The general atmosphere is relaxed, fun, and conversational, rather than frantic, rushed, and disingenuous. Also, the beer and cider is a lot better. Don't be afraid to try English pub food either, even the stuff beyond burgers and fish & chips! (I'm partial to Bangers and Mash). Anyway, there are a billion pubs, so definitely check a few out.
 
3. Ride the Tube everywhere - As a Boston College student, I am most familiar with the MBTA "T" service, which after the ultra-efficient Tube in London seems like a laughable execution of public transit. The Tube is quick, cheap, fun, and can get you basically anywhere you need to go in and around London. Just make sure if you're traveling at night you catch it before it closes - otherwise it's a cab or the night bus for you. Additionally, if you feel so inclined, ride on top of a double-decker bus. It's pretty scenic and even cheaper (but a little slower) than the Tube.

Don'ts:
1. Overpay for meals - London is a big city. Like most big cities, it's pretty expensive. Unfortunately, unlike most big cities, it is home to a currency that trades for nearly 1.6 more than the US dollar. Definitely don't be afraid to spend money for something "worth it", but you'll find a lot of restaurants overpriced for both the quality and quantity of food/drink you receive. Definitely do your research on sites like TripAdvisor. Covent Garden/Picadilly/Leicester Square has a ton of good places but also a lot of overpriced places masquerading as good places. Come prepared!

2. Take a cab if you can avoid it (walk or take the Tube) - London cabs are great, but they are also really expensive. If you have any knowledge of the city's layout, the tube or even walking can get you around at a much cheaper rate. I really only found myself in cabs if it was too late to take the Tube and I was too far to walk to where I lived. Unless you have an oddly specific time crunch, it's not worth paying dozens of pounds for cab fare on a regular basis.

3. Force yourself to see tourist spots you're not interested in - In my opinion, a universal "don't" for traveling. Time in these places is limited, so while you may feel the need to "see everything", unless you're actually interested in "everything", you'll almost certainly find yourself in a stressful situation. I had 4 months to enjoy London, but I didn't go to every museum or see every sight, mainly because I'd rather focus on the parts of the city that interested me. For example, I never made the trip to Stonehenge or Bath, but I was in Piccadilly Circus nearly every week (to each his own of course, if stacked rocks is your thing). Overall, the message is that it's better to enjoy a few things than not-enjoy a lot of things.



Brighton:
Do's: 
1. Hit the Pier - Brighton's Pier is awesome. It's super long and filled with fun boardwalk-style arcade games and junk food. As someone who frequents Ocean City and Sea Isle New Jersey on a regular basis in the summer, this was a fairly familiar setting. If you like fun, this is the place to be.

2. Check out the nightlife - The beach and downtown area are both home to many pubs, bars, restaurants, and clubs. Visit a few and enjoy!

Don'ts:
1. Stray too far from the beach and main downtown area - Once you get away from the beach and downtown, it begins to feel very residential and there aren't really that many fun places to check out. Also, there are huge hills, so if you're walking it can get tiresome. Basically anywhere between the train station and the beach is fair game for fun, but beyond the train station isn't really worth your time.

Florence:
Do's: 
1. Eat as much as possible -It's Italy. Seriously, go nuts. Gorge yourself. It's the best food in the world. Have 4 meals a day if you have to you. Enjoy panini snacking and gelato for the hell of it. I can't stress this enough. You have the rest of your not-so-tasty life to lose the weight. TREAT YO SELF.

2. Climb the Duomo - There is something like 500 hundred tiny, steep, cramped medieval stone steps spiraling up the church (which is quite an experience to climb), but once you get to the top, you'll see why - the view is incredible and it's a fully 360 degree picture of Florence. If you have the energy, it's worth it. If you're wondering where the Duomo is, it's the big church in the middle of Florence, you can't miss it.
 
3. Enjoy the art and architecture - Go into a few churches, check out the Ponte Vecchio, and if you have the time, hit up a few museums and, of course, the David. Florence is full of artistic works, so take the time to enjoy them.

Don'ts:
1. Pay extra to sit in a bar/cafe you can stand in - An annoying thing I've found is that there is usually a "cover" charge just to sit in a cafe or bar. It's not outrageous to pay, but out of principal, it makes me angry. Don't patronize this kind of stuff unless you're literally about to fall over. Even then, think about sitting on the ground in protest or going somewhere else.

2. Buy knock-off goods - You've come this far, you may as well pay the extra money for quality leather merchandise at a legitimate retailer than grab something at a cheaper price from the numerous merchant stands around town. It's worth the extra cash to trust your purchase.

Venice:
Do's: 
1. Ride a gondola - It's expensive, but come on - you have to do it! You'll see the city in an amazing way and have THE memorable Venice experience. Some advice: Don't pay more than 80 euro for a 45 min ride. Be explicit about those terms. If a gondolier says something else, find another one: there's a TON to choose from. Usually they will start high to see if you're an idiot and then, when you explicitly state what you want and walk away (if they play hardball), they will change their tune. It's a great experience, enjoy the ride!

2. Eat as much (seafood) as possible - Again, it's Italy. Go nuts. However, you'll find that the seafood (especially when mixed in pasta) in Venice is excellent. I'm partial to mussels, which I found to be particularly incredible. Again, eat everything.

3. Make the trip to Burano - The colorful homes of Burano and excellent seafood make this a worthwhile place to visit. Plus it's pretty fun to ride around on a vaporetto (water taxi) to get there. If you have about half a day to spare, this is trip worth taking along with Murano (home of glass making). You can do them both in half a day total, so plan wisely!

Don'ts:
1. Overpay for food - Venice has a lot of good food options, but also many overpriced food options. Use sites like TripAdvisor to help tell the difference. Try to stay away from people pleading you to enter their restaurant as well.

2. Stay in the actual city - Venice complete shuts down at night. I stayed in the city and, unfortunately, other than eating at a few restaurants that happen to be open, there really isn't anything to do once it gets dark. Staying on the island of Lido is probably your best bet.

Istanbul:
Do's: 
1. Mosques (Suleymaniye, Sultan Ahmed "Blue", Hagia Sophia) - The first time I was ever in a Mosque was in Istanbul and all I can say is it's a great place to start. The architecture and history in each one is stunning, unique, and culturally important. Particularly, the Hagia Sophia, which used to be a church when Istanbul was Constantinople and was then converted into a Mosque when the Ottoman empire took over. Anyway, go to these mosques, you won't regret it at all.

2. Stay in Kadikoy (the Asian side) - The Old City on the European side is where all the sight-seeing is. However, it's very touristy and you may find a more "authentic" Istanbul farther out, particularly in a part of the city called Kadikoy. A real bonus of staying across the Bosphorus is taking the dirt-cheap ferries across the scenic divide between Europe and Asia. It's worth it to start your day of sightseeing enjoying a short cruise between continents. Plus, it's definitely less expensive to stay outside of the tourist spots.

3. Basilica Cistern - One of the cooler things I've seen in all of my travels. A cistern is basically an underground watertower and it's an incredibly cool place to explore (in every sense of the word, if you're looking to get out of the sun). Definitely worth seeing, especially since it's right next to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.

Don'ts:
1. Topkapi Palace - Cool palace, but honestly was a waste of time. Nothing is labeled and it's overrun with school groups. Also, no disrespect to the place, but some of the things they claim to have seem bogus (Moses's staff? Really?). On top of all of the disappointment, it's the most expensive tourist attraction. Not worth the money.

2. Forget a Map - The roads are tough to read sometimes, so you'll definitely need a map. A smartphone with GPS is a godsend in times like these, but a paper map should help fine as well.

Amsterdam:
Do's: 
1. Anne Frank House - A powerful experience and a well-done museum. It also has interactive parts at the end dealing with discrimination issues. Definitely worth a visit. 

2. Dine by the canals - Nothing beats kickin' it with good beer and food by the beautiful canals in Amsterdam. Lots of good meat in Amsterdam, and of course, great beer as well.

3. House of Bols -If you're someone who doesn't like museums (and likes cocktails), this is the museum for you. Its a short and definitely sweet visit with a few drinks included in the fairly cheap ticket price. Lots of fun.

Don'ts:
1. Rent a bike - There are bikes EVERYWHERE in Amsterdam. You may be tempted to rent one. I did. It was mega-stressful, mainly because I had no idea of where to really go and there are a bajillion other bikes to watchout for (not to mention cars and trams). If you think you can handle it, by all means try, but be warned. 

2. Get obsessed with the pot/sex culture - Alright, you can smoke/ingest weed legally in Amsterdam. Also, there are prostitutes. While that may be all well and good, PLEASE don't let that be the only thing you do in Amsterdam (or at all cause, you know, drugs and paying for sex aren't really the best things to be doing anyway). But seriously, they overadvertise the whole innapropriate experience thing and it seems really childish. There's definitely a shock factor of the "coffee" shops and girls dancing in windows, but there is a lot more to the city than that. Eitherway, don't shame yourself because, in this day and age, whatever happens in Amsterdam definitely won't stay there.

Brussels:
Do's: 
1. Eat mussels and drink beer - As someone who loves a good rhyme, when I found out that Brussels had great mussels, I had to try them...and they're great, definitely have some while you're there. Also, Belgian beer is quite good. Drink your fill.

2. Go to Delirium - If you go nowhere else in Brussels, go here, especially if you like beer - there are over 2000 types to choose from. This 4 floor hopping bar/cafe is fun for all (legally drinking) ages. You'll have a blast sampling all types of beers from around the world. Go a few times - it's that much fun!

3. Take a bus tour - To be honest, Brussels isn't super exciting. Anything you want to see you can see on a cheap hop on/off bus tour. If something really interests you, hop off and explore for a while, then hop back on again. Eitherway, it's a good way to see a lot of the spread out sights that you may want to check out or at least drive by.

Don'ts:
1. Spend a lot of time doing "touristy" stuff - Like I said, I don't think there is much to see in Brussels. Others may disagree, but I think the best way to enjoy Brussels is to eat mussels, chocolate, and waffles while sipping on fine Belgian beer. Do this, a lot, and you'll be sure to have a good time.

2. Forget to have a real Brussels Waffle - They call them "Brussels" Waffles in Brussels, but if you go to Belgium and don't have a Belgian Waffle, then you missed the point of going to Belgium. The more the merrier.

Budapest:
Do's: 
1. Walking Tour ("free" if possible) - Definitely a good way to see a city you may not know much about while learning about the history and other interesting information. "Free" (tip-expected) walking tours in general are a lot of fun and totally worth doing. By the end of my studying abroad travels, they became a mainstay in how I would familiarize myself with a city.

2. Eat Goulash - Hungarian Goulash is amazing, hearty, beefy soup. Go nuts, it's nearly a meal in itself with some bread.

3. Take advantage of the cheap currency -There are about 200 Forints to 1 US Dollar. This is an excellent rate when buying food, drink, and goods. Again, knock yourself out.

Don'ts:
1. Get a cab without making arrangements ahead of time - At the airport, use the taxi stand to pre-arrange a price. There are a lot of scams in Budapest and taxis are definitely one of them. Everyone tells you not to, so let me add to that and say only use cabs you have a pre-arranged price with ahead of time. There are some good services, but do your research and definitely don't hire any geek off the street.

2. Get too tired from walking everywhere - Obviously, if you don't want to deal with cabs or trams (which I hear are also out to get you through mis-validation), walking is the best option. Just be sure that you can handle it. In retrospect, it may have been worth it to pre-arrange a cab to the Szchenyi Baths rather than walk all the way there (40 from where I was, close to the center of the city). Just make sure you pre-arrange it.


Munich:
Do's: 
1. English Garden - This is Munich. Sitting under trees in an awesome park, drinking liters of fine beer while eating a German lunch near the Chinese Tower...it doesn't get any better. The park itself is wonderful as well just to walk through. I would do this every day if I could. Please do this. You will thank me later.

2. Hofbrauhaus - This is also Munich. Probably the most famous beer hall in the world, Hofbrauhaus is an excellent place. Mega-touristy, but you won't care. A great Bavarian atmosphere - as well as beer and food - you'll remember forever.

3. Make the trip to Dachau - Concentration camps might not be for everyone, but I would encourage you to make to trip out to Dachau. The historical site is completely free and is more informative than nearly any museum I've ever been to. An absolute must if you're interested in WWII History. It's certainly a somber experience, but one you will be glad you embarked on.

Don'ts:
1. Springfest/other touristy gimmicks - Don't get sucked into something like Springfest, which was a wholly fake experience, or anything else that feels gimmicky. Stick to the beer halls and beer gardens and you won't be disappointed or overcharged for lower quality beer.

2. Order less than a liter of beer at a time - Don't embarass yourself. The beer maids will make fun of you.

Prague:
Do's: 
1. Astronomical Clock - Seems silly, but is truly mesmerizing to examine, especially at night. The whole "Old Town" square is just a great place to be. Besides Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge, this is probably the most touristy spot, but you will soon see why. Enjoy it.

2. Take advantage of the cheap currency - About 20 Czech crowns make 1 US Dollar. Also, beer is ridiculously cheap. I'm talking $1.50 for a LITER of high-quality Bohemian beer in a restaurant. Go nuts.

3. John Lennon Wall -A constantly changing piece of graffiti art that even you can become a part of. Definitely worth seeing and leaving your own message of good will.

Don'ts:
1. Forget to notice the architecture throughout the city - There is an incredible amount of history in Prague, so you can imagine the range of architecture present. Nearly every building is an example of a particular school of architecture. If you're into that sort of thing, you'll love Prague.
 
2. Pay to enter a building or sight without a little research - You may want to try to go in everywhere and see everything, but truly do a little research and find out what is worth doing TO YOU. This is probably good overall advice, but museums can get expensive if you're not careful.


Marrakech:
Do's: 
1. Bring sun protection/hydration - This, I cannot stress enough. IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO BE HYDRATED IN MARRAKECH WHERE IT IS PROBABLY HOTTER THAN ANYWHERE YOU'VE EVER BEEN BEFORE. Luckily, lots of dry heat, so the shade can be quite nice. Still though, be smart and don't get roasted out there.

2. Majorelle Gardens - In the middle of the dust and desert, this is truly a beatuiful oasis. Interesting and great looking plants in a shady, lush garden. It's a sight for sore eyes after a few days in the dust.

3. Jemaa El Fna at night - You should go to the Jemaa El Fna (main square) during the day as well, but at night it really is the place to be. All kinds of everything is going on, including these makeshift numbered kebab restaurants which are hilarious to eat at (they cheer when they win your business from dozens of other competitors).

Don'ts:
1. Stop for more than a few seconds when walking - If you do, you will almost certainly be bothered by a local offering "help". As a tourist, you stick out even more here, so try to plan and know your routes without stopping if you can.

2. Accept "help" from a bystander - Under no circumstances accept "help" from a local who offers it, as they are nearly always looking for money in return. Moreover, they will be persistent and harass you, remind you that you are lost, etc. when you say no, so keep moving, be civil, and give a firm "no thank you" when pushed. Use common sense and you will be fine. You are bound to be annoyed by this, immensely at first, but you oddly get used to it after a little while. Good luck!


Barcelona:
Do's: 
1. Parc Guell - One of the most incredible artistic parks in the world, as it features a ton of Antoni Guadi architectural pieces. Also, it's just a stunning view of Barcelona from way high up. Definitely worth the short metro ride and walk.

2. Beach & Nightlife - Barcelona stays up late. And they like to party. Check out a few clubs, particularly the ones on the beach. If you book ahead, you can get in for free, so look into that to avoid hefty cover charges. I don't really like clubs, and even I had a blast.

3. La Boqueria - One of the most fun outdoor markets in the world, Boqueria is a great place to buy fresh food either to eat right away or prepare for later. Particularly addictive are the 1 Euro cups of freshly-squeezed any-fruit-you-can-think-of juice. If you like food, you have to go.

Don'ts:
1. Waste money on Las Ramblas -The big touristy street is Las Ramblas, and it shows with the hiked prices. Don't be fooled - you can get better meals and souvenirs for much more reasonable prices even a few streets away. It's worth the research.

2. Waste a meal -It's pretty hard to do because so many places are excellent, but think about what types of meals and experiences you want to have, then plan accordingly by finding great places on sites like TripAdvisor. Your stomach will thank you later.

That's about it for my advice on traveling in Europe in a (pretty large) nutshell. I hope you found it useful.

One thing you definitely learn while traveling is how much you really do appreciate living in the United States. Don't get me wrong - I loved experiencing other cultures, but I was excited after 4 months to get back to familiarity (particularly regarding the quality of restaurant service). Now that I'm home, it's nice not to be surrounded by other tourists, from all over the world, all the time. Also, this doesn't exist in Europe and neither does this, so being back in the Philadelphia area is certainly exciting. I loved traveling, but it's great to be home in USA.

Like I said at the beginning of the post, stay tuned with my new blog, Nonsense & Minutiae, as I will periodically be posting my thoughts on anything about everything here. Til then - Cheers.