An NBA Team In Europe? ? Realistically, if there are new buildings in Europe and if our sport continues to grow, there is a good possibility that there would be NBA franchises in Europe by the end of the decade. ? ? David Stern at the All-Star Game That quote went almost unnoticed untill not too long ago, ESPN's Insider wrote a column on the subject. They said an NBA team in Europe was an extremely good possibility and pretty much certain. Here are the cities that they said would be looked at for a team - Paris, London, Barcelona, Berlin, Athens and Milan, and Italy. Thoughts? Opinions? Comments?
I remember him saying this. I don't think it should happen. If a franchise ends up in Europe, think of how much traveling they'd have to do. Their schedule would have to be planned very carefully so that they don't end up having a home game, road game, and home game once again. Unless there's some HUGE advances in travel technology, it won't work.
The time Zone from the West Coast and England is such a big different this would really be a burden on the TV scheduling... and they would def. have more trouble scheluding games because Los Angeles and Sacremento isnt exactly next door to Paris and London.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Travel To get to Stockholm from Denver, for example, takes the following: Leave one day at 10:20 a.m. MT, change planes in Chicago and arrive in Sweden at 9 a.m. local time a day later -- a trip of 14 hours. There is an eight-hour time difference from Denver to Stockholm, another factor as teams look to avoid jet lag. ''Maybe the distance will be a problem,'' said Sacramento Kings all-star forward Peja Stojakovic, a native of Serbia & Montenegro. ''It's about seven hours from Europe (by plane). I don't know how things are going to work out, but it's a good idea.'' Of course, NBA teams won't have layovers due to their private jets. But the location of a team in the United States would play a role on how long the flight is. Teams would probably need two days off to get physically ready to be at their best for games.</div>Quote from the ESPN Insider article. I think that with all the Ivy League graduates that the NBA has, they can certainly figure out schedules.
David Stern has been preaching this for a couple of seasons. I want to know what effect it would have scheduling (how many days between games and whatnot) and what effect it would have on the players doing even more traveling. I'm thinking that if there is going to be a team in Europe then whoever plays that team will play them in more of a mini-series type thing (like playing three games then leaving or something of that type). It's an interesting idea.
Eventually there will be a team in Europe- although I can't place a time frame on it, I know that someday- maybe 10 years, maybe 30 years, I don't know, the NBA's going international. I DO know that the effects of going international will change the face of the game forever. Imagine- games will definitely be sold out for all home games, whether it's the Hawks or the Lakers. More people all across the world will play basketball, and the international influence and international players in the game are going to be less and less of a minority, maybe someday even becoming a majority of the players in the NBA. However, this is all a long time ahead. For now, the league and David Stern have to come up with plausible ways to have a team in Europe. Another interesting thing I found was the part about the teams. Would the team just be a present club, like FC Barcelona? Or would they make a new team, like what's happening with the Charlotte Bobcats. All this remains to be seen, but it's going to be fun when it finally happens.
I think they would be new teams, since a team like FC Barcelona is owned by someone else. I don't think David wants to go through all the trouble to buy out all these teams. There is tons of talent worldwide that can fill in new teams. Would be great to see it, but not in a while.
The NBA players think that the US fans love them, lol, there is much more love and passion from over there. Sounds bad, because all of us are fans, but many of you should know that I am right. It will happen, because there will be a major major draw and some more "bling bling" for David Stern.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobeonfire:</div><div class="quote_post"> I know that someday- maybe 10 years, maybe 30 years, I don't know, the NBA's going international. I DO know that the effects of going international will change the face of the game forever.</div>Ahem, the NBA is already international. The United States of America and Canada are two seperate countries.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Wave:</div><div class="quote_post">Ahem, the NBA is already international. The United States of America and Canada are two seperate countries.</div> Yeah, like I didn't know that . I meant that the game would TRULY go international, as in Europe or Asia- Canada has too much of an American influence to be considered radically different from the USA.
Ok, that was a fairly asinine statement. I don?t care how similar you think Canada and the U.S. are the fact is that they are not the same country. Let?s just add a new word here: Intercontinental. The NBA is already international but is set to go intercontinental. ?Moving on. I think that it would be great for the NBA to launch out into Europe. Whether it would work to have only one team over there or whether a new League would have to be set up remains to be seen. It would be interesting to have another league or division and have the winners of each league meet for a world championship. I?ve got another question. What?d be the point of having an NBA team in Europe? There are already big clubs established and doing quite well without our beloved league. Would it really bee a boon for basketball worldwide to bring the NBA label to Europe and Asia? Maybe having a team in Mexico, Brazil or Argentina would serve as a possible way to go. At least the time zones wouldn?t be as big a factor?
As a European I would love to have an NBA team in Europe, but I see a lot of complications. Next to the travel and time problems, how about the players? Do they want to play for a team in Europe and live away from their families? Some players who got drafted by the Raptors didn't even wanna play there because it's 'so far away'. Maybe the NBA could do it like the NFL did with NFL Europe, with teams stationed all over Europe in a separate league. This league would be full of talents who are close to making an NBA team, which would make it really interesting. An interesting example is Kurt Warner, who played for the Amsterdam Admirals before winning the Superbowl with the Rams in '99.
That's what I was thinking as well. A seperate league still under the NBA brand would be a good way to go. As long as they don't make it look like a b-league it could be really great. Would it be in the interest of established European teams to come under the NBA banner? FC Barcelona for example. Would they get anything out of becoming an NBA team? The NBA would get an established name and fan base. Thoughts?
i think that they should make teams in mexico, puerto rico, the islands and south america 1st, see how that is and then maybe travel to europe or asia, but have different conferences and be like how baseball was (before interleague) where the only time you play them is if you make the finals. just see how it goes. i could see 4 conferences and the winners make up a final 4. n america, s america, asia, europe. that would be interesting. this will be awhile though at least 50 years or so another thing worth bringing up is if we get teams in europe, we couldn't play back to back games and then that means that there would be less games played a season. it helps the players not get tired and injured as much and gives them more strength to be ready for the playoffs, but as fans, we want the season to last longer and have more games, so which would you prefer?
no way this should happen, its a good idea but like magic frankie said the travel will hurt the players phisically and mentally, also the realistinc fact the we are in a time of war, do you know how easy is is to launch a terrorist attack into one of theres plance that carry the players? there are so many reasons why this shouldent happen and this is just one
I don't like the idea of a European team. It would be such a pain and all the factors already said would have to be put into consideration.
Europe NBA Hello, this is my first post; I?m a basketball lover from Galicia ( Spain); I like the idea one day the Basketball will have a global team competition. I think one day will happen, but the NBA should be careful how to prepare the expansion in Europe, where we have very traditional Bball competitions already. :thumbsup:
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting depor:</div><div class="quote_post">Hello, this is my first post</div> Glad to have you hear, thanks for your opinions on this subject. I look forward to hearing more from you.
Thanks for your welcome King; I expect a lot about LeBron this year, although what is going around him is too much I think.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting depor:</div><div class="quote_post">where we have very traditional Bball competitions already. :thumbsup:</div>Just curious, who's your favorite Euro team? Were you a Gasol fan?
