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Mutt · 06-08-2003, 05:44 PM

would you Euro guys be excited to have an NBA team? Barcelona?
Munich? Stockholm? Rome? Athens?

NHL has talked about this before and it makes sense to expand globally but are American players going to refuse to go live in Europe if they're drafted by a European franchise? I just can't see
Alan Iverson accepting going to Stockholm.

SAN ANTONIO (Texas): The National Basketball Association will likely have European-based clubs by 2010 and will conduct more games in Europe and Asia as well as clinics in Africa to develop talent.

NBA Commissioner David Stern, speaking here Friday before game two of the NBA Finals between New Jersey and San Antonio, said large-capacity venues in major cities would spur European expansion. ?Realistically, if there are new buildings in Europe and if our league continues to grow, there?s a good possibility there will be NBA franchises in Europe by the end of the decade,? Stern said.

Location is no impediment on any club?s potential to be an NBA contender, Stern said. ?The Spurs are as good a role model as there is,? Stern said. ?A team can win no matter where it is located. If you are well managed in our system, you can compete.?

NBA teams dropped global exhibitions in the wake of terrorist attacks in New York and Washington 21 months ago. But pre-season games are set for October in France, Spain, Mexico and Puerto Rico while two 2003 regular-season openers will be played in Japan. Beijing and Shanghai will host 2004 exhibitions involving Chinese star Yao Ming of Houston.

Stern said he did not think the current SARS outbreak in China would deter the league?s 2004 plans, saying, ?At the appropriate time, we will make the prudent decision.? An NBA goodwill trip to visit US troops in Qatar is planned soon, Stern said, adding that league officials have talked about how the league might serve as global ambassadors. ?We have reached out to the (US) State Department and are trying to understand how a sport at a time of heightened tensions can be helpful,? Stern said.

The league also plans a clinic in Johannesburg to help develop South African players and coaches with an eye to improving talent throughout Africa. ?We?re looking for a way to have a more regular and continuous impact with respect to clinics, visits to help coaches and players,? Stern said. ?South Africa we think is going to be a model for us.?

US television ratings for the first game of the NBA Finals were 37 percent off last year?s numbers, a fact Stern blamed on earlier start times that hurt West Coast viewership and the absence of the popular Los Angeles Lakers. ?Not having the Lakers and the Los Angeles market will account for that,? Stern said. ?We knew we were going to take a hit.?

The NBA is in the first year of a six-season TV deal with The Walt Disney Company?s ABC, whose bid for Olympic TV rights was spurned earlier Friday in favor of rival NBC, the network the NBA dumped for ABC?s richer offer. The NBA rules committee backed instant replay revues of last-second shots, a move added this season that will continue for at least another. Replays were checked 421 times and only 13 calls were reversed. ?AFP

06-08-2003, 05:44 PM
Mutt Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 34,431	NBA Teams In Europe By 2010 would you Euro guys be excited to have an NBA team? Barcelona? Munich? Stockholm? Rome? Athens? NHL has talked about this before and it makes sense to expand globally but are American players going to refuse to go live in Europe if they're drafted by a European franchise? I just can't see Alan Iverson accepting going to Stockholm. SAN ANTONIO (Texas): The National Basketball Association will likely have European-based clubs by 2010 and will conduct more games in Europe and Asia as well as clinics in Africa to develop talent. NBA Commissioner David Stern, speaking here Friday before game two of the NBA Finals between New Jersey and San Antonio, said large-capacity venues in major cities would spur European expansion. ?Realistically, if there are new buildings in Europe and if our league continues to grow, there?s a good possibility there will be NBA franchises in Europe by the end of the decade,? Stern said. Location is no impediment on any club?s potential to be an NBA contender, Stern said. ?The Spurs are as good a role model as there is,? Stern said. ?A team can win no matter where it is located. If you are well managed in our system, you can compete.? NBA teams dropped global exhibitions in the wake of terrorist attacks in New York and Washington 21 months ago. But pre-season games are set for October in France, Spain, Mexico and Puerto Rico while two 2003 regular-season openers will be played in Japan. Beijing and Shanghai will host 2004 exhibitions involving Chinese star Yao Ming of Houston. Stern said he did not think the current SARS outbreak in China would deter the league?s 2004 plans, saying, ?At the appropriate time, we will make the prudent decision.? An NBA goodwill trip to visit US troops in Qatar is planned soon, Stern said, adding that league officials have talked about how the league might serve as global ambassadors. ?We have reached out to the (US) State Department and are trying to understand how a sport at a time of heightened tensions can be helpful,? Stern said. The league also plans a clinic in Johannesburg to help develop South African players and coaches with an eye to improving talent throughout Africa. ?We?re looking for a way to have a more regular and continuous impact with respect to clinics, visits to help coaches and players,? Stern said. ?South Africa we think is going to be a model for us.? US television ratings for the first game of the NBA Finals were 37 percent off last year?s numbers, a fact Stern blamed on earlier start times that hurt West Coast viewership and the absence of the popular Los Angeles Lakers. ?Not having the Lakers and the Los Angeles market will account for that,? Stern said. ?We knew we were going to take a hit.? The NBA is in the first year of a six-season TV deal with The Walt Disney Company?s ABC, whose bid for Olympic TV rights was spurned earlier Friday in favor of rival NBC, the network the NBA dumped for ABC?s richer offer. The NBA rules committee backed instant replay revues of last-second shots, a move added this season that will continue for at least another. Replays were checked 421 times and only 13 calls were reversed. ?AFP __________________ I moved my sites to Vacares Hosting. I've saved money, my hair is thicker, lost some weight too! Thanks Sly!