Is BIG3 For No-Good NBA Players?

Joe Johnson former All-Star player has won MVP title along with championship in BIG3 league.  It makes me feel sad when I see former star NBA players play in different league because they are not good enough, or their play style isn’t needed today’s NBA.  BUT it seems like this kind of idea might change soon because of Joe Johnson who just signed with Detroit Pistons for 19-20 season.

Many NBA players started to go to CBA(China Basketball Association) after Stephon Marbury succeeded really well when they either waived or get old.  CBA is rising basketball league.  Euro league maybe the second best league in the world, but CBA’s level is getting higher and higher each year because of increase number of the former NBA player such as Jimmer Fredette, Ty Lawson, Jeremy Lin, and Lance Stevenson.

There is another basketball league that is becoming popular each year which is called BIG3.  This league is kind of special league because all the players are former NBA player or professional players, and they play 3X3 basketball.  They do not play full court 5 on 5 game.  This league became famous when it was founded and advertised the league featuring NBA legend Allen Iverson.  The number of the team increased 8 teams to 12 teams.  When you see the roster of each team you can recognize many of them.

Many people had an idea of this league is for NBA retired players and no-good players.  And mostly it is true.  Many players were in Free Agent pool, but none of 30 NBA team took them, or they did not play well in NBA because of injury such as Greg Oden who was to become super star in the league.

After the 3rd season of the BIG3 league people’s expectation towards this league has changed a lot, especially for NBA scouts.  Pistons’ scouts had eyes on 7 times All-Star player Joe Johnson.  Pistons is Big-man centered team (Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond) and lack of SF especially experienced player.  Joe Johnson may not be the scorer in this team but, but he can be a great mentor and role player for the team.  His athleticism may not be great, but he still has great shooting skill from mid-range and 3P.  Probably he will play as spot up shooter when Pistons’ rookie is not on the court.  This will change the expectation and idea towards this league.

What do you think of BIG3 league?  Do you still think it is a league for no-good and old players or more of like G-league for NBA experienced players?