A few months ago RealGM published the first article of “D-League Versus Europe” series, where basketball players told their stories of success overseas. However, things are not always black or white and there are also many advantages playing in the D-League.

Higher salaries, more organized teams, all-around experience - that is just one side of the whole picture. Some current and former D-League players were pleased to receive the opportunity to be seen by NBA scouts on a consistent basis and play in their home country.

Dakota Wizards guard Maurice Baker, who has been playing in the D-League since 2006, thinks NBA really pays attention to their minor league basketball organization.

“The biggest advantages playing in the D-League is you are always in the eyes of the NBA people,” said Baker, who also played in the Euroleague in 2005-06 season. “Sometimes you could have more then five scouts at your games from different teams so that is a big plus for this league.”

Twenty-one different players were called-up to the NBA this season and it’s likely a higher number than players signed from overseas. Nevertheless, the 31-year-old point guard agrees that nowadays NBA scouts go to check players from overseas more often than few years ago.

“Playing in the D-League is not better than playing overseas anymore because the scouts are going overseas to watch players and nowadays I think it’s 50/50 ”, Baker told RealGM.

Sundiata Gaines, probably the best-known former D-League player, who played for Minessota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Nets this season, sees a big difference in the financial aspect between overseas and D-League but the desire to play in the NBA has took the lead.

“Overseas I could get more money,” said Gaines. “They play really physical there. There are some competitive leagues. But the advantage of playing in the D-League would be that I have been seen on every day basis. It is a sacrifice - you take more money or you take less money and be seen and hopefully fulfill your dream.”

Former NBA player D.J. Strawberry thinks the D-League is also a good place for players who played for small schools.

“D-League helps to create your resume,” said Strawberry. “If you played for a small school, make your resume and then go overseas or even get called-up in the NBA if you had a good season. D-League is great. I had a good time there, I had good coaches.”

However, the biggest different between Europe and the D-League is the environment.

Mike Hall, who played in Italy and currently is playing in Turkey, shared his opinion about NBA players wishing to move overseas during the lockout and says that the situation is completely different from what players expect.

“Five to eight hour bus rides, roommates on the road, mandatory team meals. Has riot police ever escorted these NBA dudes to the court? When was the last time a NBA dude washed his own practice gear? Between your moms, managers and groupies I would guess never,” Hall wrote via Twitter.

“What these NBA dudes are going to do when a fan hits them in the head with a damn battery or spits on them? What are these NBA dudes are going to do when those first two checks are a few months late? A one-hour practice mid-season is considered a day off in Europe. NBA dudes would go on strike!”

Hall believes that not all NBA players would like to live in Europe.

“The majority of NBA dudes have been cared for and protected since grade school and would be in tears by Day 3 in Europe,” said the 26-year-old guard. “We had a police riot bus in front and back of our team bus in Serbia with AK-47 in their hands. I played on one of the best teams in Europe owned by Giorgio Armani. Imagine life on one of the other 50-100 teams.”

European teams like Panathinaikos Athens, Olympiacos Piraeus, Partizan Belgrade are known for their passionate fans who sometimes step over the line. Basketball clubs in Europe, especially in Greece or Serbia are accustomed to fines for fans’ behavior. Lighters, coins, bricks, chairs, bangers - that is just a part of things, which are thrown to players by teams’ supporters.

“Nothing in the States is like this. People don’t understand that,” said Olympiacos guard Jamon Lucas Gordon. “I showed them clips on YouTube when we played against Partizan with my Croatian team. But people don’t understand that in the States because you would go to jail for doing that. Some of my friends have come to see my games and they were so scared.”

As Hall said, sometimes the first two checks are a few months late, some of players didn’t get a single dollar from their club. There are hundred cases when clubs do not respect the contracts they make and players have to contact FIBA Arbitral Tribunal to get their salary.

D.J. Strawberry was one of those players who didn’t get paid. The former Phoenix Suns guard was owed more than $250,000 by the Italian team Fortitudo Bologna.

 “All part of that situation was bad but other than that, the whole team and organization was good. Obviously, I was a little bit scared to come back overseas after not getting my salary,” Strawberry told RealGM.

However, after what happened in Italy Strawberry came again to Europe and now plays for Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius.

“Things happen for a reason. I just look at that as one of the things that had happened in my life. I cannot go back on or think bad about other teams because one team didn’t do something.”

Baker, who saw how the league has changed since 2006, thinks that improving working conditions and raising salaries would make the D-League a great place to play.

“In my opinion all the league need is to get better travel and pay the guys more money,” said Baker. “D-League will be just fine if they do that."