David Stern is considering teams in China and Europe

[beau_boy04]

Quote:

"Nba commissioner David Stern is considering establishing new pro basketball teams in China, not North America.

"I think 30 teams is a nice round number, and I would not be recommending to the Nba owners to expand," Stern said. "We will see in the next couple of years, coming out of Beijing Olympics, the possibility of some joint venture between the Nba and someone in China about an Nba-sponsored and branded league in China." Stern added that he has a 20-year plan to have five Nba franchises in Europe. "


I think that's awesome. Having teams in foreign countries specially Europe would be easier for us to discover talent in those countries and the Nba champion can REALLY call themselves "WORLD CHAMPIONS" as you may already know there have been some altercation about that phrase being used specially when it is being held by teams competing in only one country. Maybe they should have a winner of American finals verse Europe and China???? you know have like a championship tournament between these Nba sponsored leagues in Europe and China.

Thoughts????

[K0beStar]

Why?? Dosent that mean more traveling?

[beau_boy04]

I was thinking maybe in the long run to have:

NBA-Asia
NBA-Europe
NBA-Latin America

10 teams in each area.

what do ya think?

[---]

Worst thing for the league would be expanding it overseas. Players would hate the travel and there are already enough teams. I'm completely against any sort of overseas franchises, bar Canada.

Think about players that are traded to these teams or drafted by them? You think a kid from California for instance that becomes a big star wants to leave his family and friends and live in Russia? It doesn't make sense, bad idea.

We will see in the next couple of years, coming out of Beijing Olympics, the possibility of some joint venture between the Nba and someone in China about an Nba-sponsored and branded league in China

That doesn't mean NBA teams in China, it means an NBA sponsered league, like NFL Europe.

[Axel]

I have 0 interest in watching teams outside of North America.

I'm completely against any sort of overseas franchises, bar Canada.

Yeah, you just head due north from Detroit and cross the Sea of Canada... it's not that large of a trek.

[K0beStar]

I have 0 interest in watching teams outside of North America.

I'm completely against any sort of overseas franchises, bar Canada.

Yeah, you just head due north from Detroit and cross the Sea of Canada... it's not that large of a trek.

On foot it is

[Dro]

The world is becoming more and more interconnected. I think establishing NBA-sponsored leagues is a FANTASTIC idea. What I envision Stern doing is establishing these leagues to raise the level of competition in places like China. In 20 years, I daresay the competition in China will be near or at the level of Americans. Who knows...in 20 years, technology could very well allow for even quicker intercontinental transportation than we have today. In 2027, flying from New York to Barcelona won't take 9 hours.

[benji]

Yeah, you just head due north from Detroit and cross the Sea of Canada... it's not that large of a trek.

But from Detroit you head south to get to Canada?!?

[[Q]]

Yeah, you just head due north from Detroit and cross the Sea of Canada... it's not that large of a trek.

But from Detroit you head south to get to Canada?!?

If I'm not mistaken, that bit of land that stetches down from Canada to Michigan comes in from the east and slides under the "thumb" part of the Michigan glove, so you would go wouth into Canada.

but yeah I don't think the teams from N.A. should play Asian or European NBA teams until they reach a certain round in the playoffs.

winning the regular N.A. NBA championship would be like getting to the NCAA Final Four where you play the champs of Asia, Europe, and South America.

[frenchy]

I do not think this will work in Europe due to European cups history.
Basically the basketball competition in Europe are based on the same model as soccer competition.

Many europeans do not understand the "playoff system" (of course those who don't know basketball very well).
In soccer, the team who won the most game is the champion, there is no playoff and it is called a championship. If there is a kind of playoff system, it is a cup.

Regarding the NFL europe, there are 6 teams but all in Germany (well 1 in Amsterdam). For information Germany is not alone in Europe.

So only 10 NBA europe teams ! well euroleague is already 24, there is a little problem : how do you select them ?

To conclude : NBA in europe, maybe but won't work. NBA in asia : pretty sure it will work (china, Japan, India...)

[TomCat]

just have a team is Australia! then i will be happy

[frenchy]

just have a team is Australia! then i will be happy

You do not like the NBL ?

[TomCat]

just have a team is Australia! then i will be happy

You do not like the NBL ?

i watch it, but it is almost worse than watching euro league

i would just like an aussie team so that a USA team could come over and i could watch them!!

[Andrew]

David Stern just isn't giving up on the idea of NBA teams in Europe. I do like the idea of NBA sponsored/affiliated leagues worldwide though, as well as the possibility of more international/champions tournaments.

[Ty-Land]

just have a team is Australia! then i will be happy

You do not like the NBL ?

i watch it, but it is almost worse than watching euro league

i would just like an aussie team so that a USA team could come over and i could watch them!!

I believe our very own Andrew Bogut is trying to instigate ties between the NBA and the NBL. Just like where you get NBA teams playing in Europe in the offseason, he was asking David Stern to consider sending a team to Australia. So maybe keep your eyes on the Bucks having training camp in Melbourne and playing a game against the South Dragon or NBL All-Stars.

As for NBA sponsored teams in Europe and Asia. I think European basketball is to established for this to work effectively, but I think an Asian league or Chinese league would be interesting. It would further promote Basketball in the region and provide another avenue for scouting and development.

[TomCat]

i actually dont like the idea of a team situated outside of the USA or Canada. although a team in mexico would be kool

and Ty-Land, the bucks are almost the last team i would like the see, but any team would be sweet! I would love to stand next to Earl Boykins cos i think i am the same height as him. he is about 5'5" or 5'6"???

[jonthefon]

NBA Euroleague-sponsored by the NBA.
NBA NBL-sponsored by the NBA.
NBA CBA-sponsored by the NBA.

They have plenty of places to aim for. Most likely China, IMO.

I mean, the NBL isn't bad, just the standard and atmosphere kinda bores me.

[Ty-Land]

I mean, the NBL isn't bad, just the standard and atmosphere kinda bores me.

I do think it is on the way back up again. Especially in Melbourne, having 2 teams again has done a great deal in terms of publicity.

[grusom]

GL talking European teams into taking on the NBA (NATIONAL Basketball Association) brand.

Americans aren't to popular over here allready, as they have a imperalistic reputation. No European basketball team with any self respect would accept to be "americanized" in that way.

I do think however, that it would be good to make sort of a champions league 8like in soccer), where winners of the major tounaments on each continent could face each other in an official World Championship.

[Jackal]

Stern can't be serious about a team in China. The Chinese government doesn't even allow reporters in to the country to do their jobs, what makes Stern think a professional sports league (without being forced to play) will actually work?

I could be straying from the topic, but I saw a piece on the news last night and I was kind of shocked how anti-social the Chinese government seems to be. People are sentanced to shit just because they feel like it. No chance of defending yourself, in short, Amnesty International is saying human rights are no good over in China. That doesn't surprise me either, it's not the first time I've heard about it.

Then Stern wants our superstars (think Vince Carter-esque) players, who were whining, moping and pissing themselves in Canada, to go play in China? Although I think he'd do better there, they'd probably threaten to cut off his genitals, that'd motivate him enough.

But seriously, what's with Stern trying to go global? Is he in desperate need of being "remembered"?

[TSquared]

i think the NBA should stay as it is..

[benji]

Americans aren't to popular over here allready, as they have a imperalistic reputation.

Damn those Americans and their colonial empire, if only they'd be more like Europe...

[Cornerthree]

This is crap... Doesn't he realize that Europe and NBA are way too different to create somethin' both... The traveling would be a curse for players, especially the western conference teams... I think this is a very bad idea...

[maes]

Players would hate the travel and there are already enough teams. I'm completely against any sort of overseas franchises, bar Canada.

Stern has been in a few articles saying he wants to create another, separate league in China, not expand the current NBA to other countries. NBA-China teams would play within their own league, not travel to NBA-North America teams.

SI also reported Stern most wants to another league in Europe but Europe already has a very established basketball system that's fairly complicated and has a lot of history & owners.

He said China was more likely for the NBA because it's more of a blank slate.

[joejam999]

UMMM NO Stern continues to think of ways to destroy the league.