Home/NBA

via Imago

via Imago

Former Phoenix Suns star Eric Bledsoe recently joined the long list of former NBA stars playing in overseas leagues. After a short stint with the Los Angeles Clippers, Bledsoe signed a deal with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association in October 2022. In his first game in the league, the 33-year-old scored a massive 51 points against the Hong Kong Flying Dragons. The NBA All-Defensive team member’s staggering performance left NBA fans wondering about the lack of competition in the overseas leagues.

Bledsoe plays point guard for the Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). The league comprises of 20 teams divided based on geographical location. Former NBA All-Stars like Stephen Marbury, Steve Francis, and Keyon Martin have also featured in the CBA.

NBA fans point out the disparity of com the overseas leagues

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Eric Bledsoe displayed a stunning performance for the Sharks by scoring 58 points with 18 rebounds and 8 assists.  However, after looking at Bledsoe’s video game like stats, fans flurried in with opinions on social media regarding the skill gap between the NBA and overseas leagues. One user said, “the nba skill gap is insane“.

Read More – WATCH: Warriors Stephen Curry Embarrasses Clippers’ Eric Bledsoe With This Brutal Move

The fans even jokingly compared Bledsoe with legends like Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain for the extent of his dominance in CBA. Another user said, “Bro turned into prime wilt in china.” Some fans even made video compilations of NBA stars dominating the game to substantiate Bledsoe’s impact in the Chinese league.

Here are some of the reactions from the NBA Twitter:

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Former Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard also made his debut in T1 League, the Taiwanese basketball league, in early November 2022. The 37-year-old decided to sign T1 League after he failed to attain a contract in the NBA. Similarly, the 33-year-old Bledsoe failed to attract any contract opportunities following his injury on March 2022.

Eric Bledsoe’s trip to China

The Trail Blazers obtained Eric Bledsoe via trade in February 2022.  But by the end of March, he was ruled out of the game because of an injury in the left leg. Management eventually waived him off in July without making a single appearance. Afterwards, in late October 2022, in a Sportando report, it was conveyed that Bledsoe took a call to feature in the CBA.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch This Story – Dwight Howard Joins Scottie Pippen, Allen Iverson, Dennis Rodman, and Other Stars Who Have Played Outside the NBA

After a 12-year-long NBA career, Eric Bledsoe decided to play in an overseas league. Will the 33-year-old make a return to the NBA before he retires from the game? Let us know in the comments.