If you’re interested in basketball’s international evolution, check out my appearance on Ric Bucher and Boštjan Nachbar’s Fullcourt Passport podcast. Those guys know ball, and we had a great discussion about the rise of international superstars, the influence of EuroLeague on the NBA, the fundamental differences between the leagues, the potential viability of NBA Europe, and more.
One of the points we touched on when discussing the NBA becoming a permanent fixture in Europe is the necessity of the league seeking the wisdom and input of the right people from those countries—the ones who have made European basketball so successful. Those leagues are very well thought out, they’re extremely competitive, and they have phenomenal fans. To succeed, the NBA would need to involve those execs, coaches, players, and fans, and build off their “blueprint.” As Boki pointed out, EuroLeague has thrived on passion and history, and preserving that is crucial to making any expansion work. It’s about honoring an identity while creating something new and exciting. Of course, there are plenty of questions still to answer— pricing, infrastructure, player welfare, and organizational discrepancies (like relegation, which is such an integral part of the competitive culture but doesn’t mesh easily with a league like the NBA)—but with patience and communication, there’s a fantastic opportunity in front of us.
What’s your take on the potential of NBA Europe? What do you see as the greatest challenges and/or opportunities?
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE