NBA expansion overseas

[Andrew]

Seeing a report on the possibility of the Hornets being placed in the Western Conference to accomodate the expansion team in Charlotte in 2004/2005, I remembered another issue that is expansion/division related - Stern's plans to move overseas, specifically Europe. Not having anything else to do at this moment in time, I thought I'd bring it up for discussion.

Does anyone think this would be a good idea? It's nothing new, but it's one of those ideas that always seems to pop up during Stern's annual address (or when someone with time on their hands mentions it on a message board). If it were to come to fruition, it is expected it would be either European teams included in the regular NBA schedule (not such a good idea when you consider travel arrangements) or have a seperate European division and some sort of US vs Europe playoffs.

In theory, it's not a bad idea, and the eventual winner might truly be able to call themselves the world champions. On the other hand, it's overlooking the fact that the National Basketball Association is the major basketball league of the United States - not an international league. Yes, Canada is a different country, but it neighbours the US on the North American continent. Here in Australia, our rugby league has a team from New Zealand, and I hear our basketball league will contain an expansion team in New Zealand next season as well. Two countries in one national sports league is certainly not unheard of.

Personally, I would rather see the NBA remain the major professional league of the United States, rather than becoming a world league. Even if the NBA planned to expand to Australia I'd still think it would be a bad idea (OK, part of me would think it was pretty cool) - the travel and schedule would not be appealing to the players.

I would rather see more frequent tournaments similar to the McDonalds Open, where champions (or runners up) from professional basketball leagues around the world compete against each other for a true world championship trophy. That would still be entertaining competition. But the NBA expand overseas? I just don't like the idea.

[jerrygildner]

I always thought growing up it was kinda crazy that the nba calls it the world chamionship.

Maybe if they did play NBA champs aginst the euro champs would be cool but expantion overseas don't see it happening any time soon.

"and i hope i never do"

[Rens]

Some things that came to mind when I was thinking about this:

• People are already complaining about the NBA watering down now, and even more with the Charlotte expansion./
• Would the U.S. players want to play for a European team? In the past people have already refused to play in Toronto, which is about as far from Florida as Detroit. If you'd play for a European team it would be even more of a mental barrier, even though for instance Paris is about as far from New York as Los Angeles is.
• There's an American Football league in Europe where sometimes NFL teams send players for development, it's a bit like the CBA, or more like the NBDL, teams get to keep players' rights. I think that would be a better option than an expansion team in Europe.
• About the Australian suggestion, would the market in Australia be big enough? I think there are about as many people living in Australia as there are in the Netherlands, but the country is like 50 times bigger (I don't know how much bigger, but it's a lot ).
• If the NBA would expand to Europe or another continent, they'd definately have to change their name from NBA to IBA.

[Andrew]

Would the U.S. players want to play for a European team? In the past people have already refused to play in Toronto, which is about as far from Florida as Detroit. If you'd play for a European team it would be even more of a mental barrier, even though for instance Paris is about as far from New York as Los Angeles is.

That's something I hadn't thought of, trades and transactions. It would open up more opportunities for veterans and second round draft picks who didn't make a team in the US, but I don't think players would appreciate being traded across the globe.

About the Australian suggestion, would the market in Australia be big enough? I think there are about as many people living in Australia as there are in the Netherlands, but the country is like 50 times bigger (I don't know how much bigger, but it's a lot).

That's the point, there probably wouldn't be the interest anyway. I just mentioned Australia as an example of how I'm not in favour of overseas expansion, no matter where it is. But ask you asked, I don't think the idea would fly here in Australia. Basketball just isn't given enough respect or attention.

[alexboom]

neither an expansion team nor a developpement league like in nfl would be a great thing for the NBA.
Contrary to the NFL, there are already basketball national championships in Europe, some of them are great and are still improving. And the market isn't big enough for concurrency (there is already 2 european championships and it's a bad thing).

but something like "world tournament championship", a short tournament with the best team of each continent would be attractive i think, even if NBA teams shall win most of the time :p

[bballer22]

i thnk soo it willhave to do somethng like that, coz look at it now, there are just as many amaicans willing to play NBA and even more then before, al who are very good, plus they are brining in players form overseas all the time, the leuge will have to expand,

but if it will expand in overseas i see it as more money making thing then anything....

as far as world champins go then any US team that wins the NBA champion ship is really the best team. i think that if u put Lakers to go against any international team (not a team of best in the country) then they will destroy them. im also from AUS, and i know that there are collage teams, and maybe even highskol(lebron jame's high skol) that can beat the NBL champions. with high skol im not sure coz of the size of the players, but collage for sure!!

[mp3]

i just dont see how it would work, i think the nba and its teams should focus on filling all the current arenas before looking overseas

[Andrew]

That's right, something else I didn't think of. Better to increase the popularity and interest in the current product than looking prematurely towards bigger plans - especially ones that aren't that great to begin with.