Questions for ESPN Deportes' Carlos Morales

right now, but I found an old article on the Globalization of Basketball in Latin America.  

http://www.nbadraft.net/motenko001.asp

It suggests that the influence of futbol on latino basketball players places stronger emphasis on passing, since in futbol passing is the best/only way to advance the ball.  Less charitably, flopping in the NBA has been blamed on futbol as well.

Given Nash as the most futbol-like player in the NBA, I guess I would wonder what cross-influences, if any, Carlos Morales sees between futbol and basketball play in South America. Does a futbol player ever learn an idea from basketball?

Also, more generally, how has the popularity of basketball grown relative to futbol, in what kind of time frame might that popularity approach that of futbol and what kind of things are happening in the NBA and elsewhere to encourage it?

We also hear NBA talk about franchises or mini-leagues in China and Europe (where they can afford the big NBA budgets).  What's the possibility of a franchise in, say, Mexico City?  Or a more affordable development style mini-league in a country with a growing economy like Brasil?  Or perhaps the potential of the NBA partnering with a small league down there to get a foothold in for a time when Brasil can afford and also have the demand for big budget teams?

I'm not sure these will be the very interesting questions to ask, mainly because I don't know much about Mr. Morales nor any hot topics in Latin American basketball.  

Good luck.  

My question has to do with Eduardo Najera.  I saw him hit a 3 pointer yesterday.  The announcers say he has developed a decent 3 point shot to go along with his trademark aggressiveness around the basket.  I've always wanted the Suns to get him.

Does he think the Suns would have any interest in Eddie?

We were playing against them when I was 19 years old, playing for the Panama Sub 21 National Team. He was not their coach anymore, but he was there watching the game. I enjoy listening to him on Espn Deportes, I can tell that he likes the Suns but he was one of the many experts that were against the Shaq trade. He truly believed that we were able to win a championship with the run n gun style.

There are very important teams and leagues in Mexico, I wouldn't call them a franchise just yet, but they play a high level of basketball. I heard that Najera is putting serious amount of money to expand the league and draft players from other countries.  

The problem here in Panama and most latin american countries,  is that there really isn't much support from the goverment towards the national teams. The players don't get paid very well, thay have to go to their regular jobs and they don't focus on basketball as much as they should. We don't see basketball as a way of making a living. There are no sports scholarships here.

I had arguements with my dad on a daily basis, it was either playing for the National Team in The Panamerican games or missing my first semester in Law school. Guess what I chose?

Anyways.. this was quite some time ago...sigh...

Have to say even though I'm a Suns fan, it's been great seeing the race to the playoffs happening in the West right now. Everyday for a minute or so, I look at the next few days worth of games thinking of the top teams in the West and who they play. Do you think we'll be in for similarly close races over the next 1-2 years in the west or do you project 1-2 teams really pulling ahead like in the past, and in the East?

I also was a big fan of Jordan and the Bulls (who wasn't?), and faded for a few years, but this 2004-5 (to now) Suns team has been a lot of fun to follow. I'd love to say I'll be a Suns die hard fan for years to come, but when Nash leaves, and a few others in 2-3 years, I'll be surprised if I continue to follow the nba so closely as now. I know where your coming from on the Shaq trade, but my wife and I have never had such big smiles on our faces as many of the last couple of weeks with Shaq now part of this team. From his comments, to hanging out with people in Scottsdale, to diving for loose balls all over the place, I have to say
I've never been so entertained with this team. They're bringing back the fun they might've had playing 2 yrs ago. On the radio here in Dallas, they were saying that both of the announcers felt Shaq had more charisma and charm than any other athlete in years and years. I sure agree.

Here are my top 5 athletes who I like (in () why),
please list yours

1. Nash (unselfish, strong will to win)
   
2. Shaq (funny, plays with heart)
   
3. Tiger Woods (greatness, plus I think he's a really caring person, thinks of children and things he can do for them as important)
   
4. Dan Marjlee (he works hard, and he's a light hearted announcer who doesn't trash the game or other team, or refs constantly, seems like theres too much of this...Holla!)
   
5. Jason Terry (because I met him on a plane and handed him a note and he waited once he got off the plane and talked to me as a person for 10+ minutes, asked what I did, etc, very classy, love the youtube where he falls into the stands over an older woman, when he gets up to go back on the court, he kisses her, crowd went crazy, very cool)

I have sent off the questions. Should get the answers back next week.