David Stern: There WILL Be NBA Teams In Europe

[Euroleague]

[QUOTE=gabepizza]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ey...pe-in-20-years

By Royce Young | Blogger
January 3, 2013 2:55 pm ET


The NBA could be headed across the pond. (Getty Images)

David Stern is stepping down as commissioner on Feb. 1, 2014, which will mark exactly 30 years sitting on the NBA's throne.

It might sound a little crazy, but it shouldn't. Because it almost happened already with an expansion team in London. Via the Boston Globe:

There was a time when Stern had dreams of a team or even a division in Europe, a first in American sports. He was determined to devise a way for a group of teams in London, Rome, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, and Berlin to compete with the 30 stateside NBA teams and even have a real world championship series.

Regardless of how uncomfortable the idea made fans who believe 30 teams was enough -- and regardless of how inconceivable it might be to have a team in a time zone six hours ahead of the Eastern US -- Stern was going to add the London Abbeys to the NBA.

That idea died on the operating table though, because the international economy went rotten and because there aren't any NBA-style arenas overseas.

Which is why Stern put the 20-year timetable on it. Because within that time frame, someone is probably going to build an NBA arena with luxury boxes and concessions and 20,000 seats. Once that happens, an expansion team in London or Barcelona is probably an inevitability.

The NBA is already the second-most globalized game in the world behind soccer, so it's natural to try to expand its borders. There's money to be made internationally. And building a bridge between the NBA and Euroleague would certainly be an interesting evolution.

I know what you're thinking. How is this possible? How could the Trail Blazers take a road trip to Rome on the second night of a back-to-back?

You are a complete idiot if you actually believe that there are no 20,000 seat indoor arenas in Europe. The guy that wrote that, and Stern are total retards if they actually believe that.

Yeah sure the European continent does not have any 20,000 seat arenas.....

[CavaliersFTW]

LOL at faster travel

In case you didn't know, the Concorde is now out of service.

Newly designed planes are actually slower than the good old 747s. The trend is now slower more efficient planes with rising fuel prices

This.

Research isn't going into speed, and hasn't been since the concorde's failure to make an impact on the travel industry. Fossil fuels have become too expensive, and on top of that the operating costs of planes with extreme speed (maintenance etc) are too high. Now a days all research goes into fuel efficiency and economics. There will be no NBA-Europe in 20 years.

[Chapallaz]

NBA Summer league team vs Euroleague elite would be more competitive.

Most preseason games against European teams are close.

[Clutch]

[QUOTE=Euroleague]

You are a complete idiot if you actually believe that there are no 20,000 seat indoor arenas in Europe. The guy that wrote that, and Stern are total retards if they actually believe that.

Yeah sure the European continent does not have any 20,000 seat arenas.....

None of the Euroleague teams play in arenas with 20000 or more seats. The bigger ones have around 16000 capacity,I think the biggest one is from Panathinaikos with about 18500 seats. There are even some clubs that play in arenas with 5000 seats. And don't try to throw some bullshit around. People can easily check that on the Internet.

Just waiting for you to claim PAO plays in front of 40000 people every game

[Rooster]

Most preseason games against European teams are close.

Preseason games means nothing. It's more for those borderline players trying to make the team. Beside a lot of Players are trying to get on basketball shape after summer vacation.

[Euroleague]

[QUOTE=Clutch]

None of the Euroleague teams play in arenas with 20000 or more seats. The bigger ones have around 16000 capacity,I think the biggest one is from Panathinaikos with about 18500 seats. There are even some clubs that play in arenas with 5000 seats. And don't try to throw some bullshit around. People can easily check that on the Internet.

Just waiting for you to claim PAO plays in front of 40000 people every game

How ****ing retarded are you? How the **** do the arenas Euroleague teams use translate to "Europe has no 20,000 seat arenas"?

Do you REALLY think that the ONLY arenas in Europe are ones that Euroleague teams use? What's your IQ? About 65?

And news flash genius, plenty of NBA arenas don't seat 20,000. So in the first place, they simply pulled that number out of their asses.

[Euroleague]

Preseason games means nothing. It's more for those borderline players trying to make the team. Beside a lot of Players are trying to get on basketball shape after summer vacation.

Right, that's why Phil Jackson and Doc Rivers were furious when their teams lost to European teams...........

[Chapallaz]

Preseason games means nothing. It's more for those borderline players trying to make the team. Beside a lot of Players are trying to get on basketball shape after summer vacation.

Usually the NBA teams playing the top european team in preseason play at 100%. Or as close as they can to 100%. Matter of pride and money. And we've seen teams playing their regular rotation lose to these teams as well. Clash of styles and some Players might not come prepared enough, mentally. Or sometimes a team like Madrid is just flat out better.

[Rooster]

Usually the NBA teams playing the top european team in preseason play at 100%. Or as close as they can to 100%. Matter of pride and money. And we've seen teams playing their regular rotation lose to these teams as well. Clash of styles and some Players might not come prepared enough, mentally. Or sometimes a team like Madrid is just flat out better.

At 100%. Please stop it. Yes most players would play to win for pride but at the end of the day it does not count. Different mindset for players who are not in basketball shape. Yes NBA teams have lost games. If you look at the history of NBA, the worst team that I have seen and I am talking about bunch of role players and scrubs put together still strung 17 wins. It happens

[Funnyfuka]

lol, there s just a problem tho... a major world recession that's going to last for at least a decade... if not two or three, and probably a world war following. Yeah one day everything will be standardized, unified, but not in a decade or 2... in 50 or 100 years from now if not more, depends how bad we re going to ruin the earth in the meanwhile and how long it will take to rebuild.

[Chapallaz]

At 100%. Please stop it. Yes most players would play to win for pride but at the end of the day it does not count. Different mindset for players who are not in basketball shape. Yes NBA teams have lost games. If you look at the history of NBA, the worst team that I have seen and I am talking about bunch of role players and scrubs put together still strung 17 wins. It happens

Is it THAT hard to realize loads of teams struggle against a team which is totally different from the regular NBA team standard in make up, play and strengths? It seems it is.

[lilgodfather1]

This fall imma take my talents to... Real Madrid and join the Real Madrid Silly Nannies. *cue Heat fans burning jerseys* Cavs fans laugh they asses off, and Euroleague dies from ejaculation.

[CavaliersFTW]

This fall imma take my talents to... Real Madrid and join the Real Madrid Silly Nannies. *cue Heat fans burning jerseys* Cavs fans laugh they asses off, and Euroleague dies from ejaculation.

post of the year!

[Killbot]

David Stern has already been senile.

[Rooster]

Is it THAT hard to realize loads of teams struggle against a team which is totally different from the regular NBA team standard in make up, play and strengths? It seems it is.

Of course the unfamiliarity of those teams is a factor but still most NBA teams beat European teams overall. Like I stated earlier, I have seen a worst team with worst talent put up 17 wins.