Childress’ Decision to Go Euro Is Momentous

Wow. Josh Childress will sign with Olympiakos of Greece:↵↵⇥“It’s official, I just signed,” Childress said by phone Wednesday morning from Athens, where he and agent Jim Tanner will be until Friday. “I think it was ... a situation where I didn’t know who to expect coming in, coming over to Athens. But it’s a great city and a great organization. They do whatever they can to make you feel at home.”↵↵No word on what the exact number is, but it’s more than the initially reported offer of $20 million for three years. In fact, it’s “the most lucrative current contract in European basketball and the biggest in Euroleague history.”↵
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↵There’s been no shortage of speculation as to what it would mean for the NBA if Childress went international, so I really don’t have anything new to say. But, all analysis aside, this does feel like something momentous has gone down. To paraphrase Chris Matthews, my legs felt a little funny when I read that fateful headline. Brandon Jennings may be taking a bigger risk, but that’s a short-term rebellion against the age limit; repeal that, and we’d never have a sequel to his story.↵
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↵Childress is going out on a limb for the future of basketball. Yeah, the money’s important, but the former Hawk has to know he’s making history here. Jennings will be a fleeting novelty. Childress’s every move will be scrutinized by eyes on both sides of the Atlantic (and Pacific), since this experiment could have a ripple effect for years to come. Quite simply, this is right up there with Kevin Garnett’s decision to go pro in 1995.↵