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Will European basketball ever catch up to the NBA?


Will European basketball ever catch up to the NBA?
By Matthew Brady

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Though there are many differences between European basketball and the NBA, the contrast in play style may indicate why the NBA stays in front of the pack. European games are much more team oriented as they rely heavily on passing to create scoring opportunities. The NBA revolves around star players carrying teams to wins. Though neither style can claim it is more effective on court, the NBA has far more star athletes than European basketball does, which puts it over the edge.

Fans love to be able to identify with the stars on their teams. A heroic performance draws massive attention from the media and fans of other teams to games as well. Countless times I have watched Lakers basketball to see Lebron James play in Los Angeles when I am from Washington DC. These iconic players define the NBA play style and its finances as well. They bring in more revenue for their teams and sign massive contracts with global brands, boosting their international image.

The issue nowadays for the Euro league is that their best players are leaving for the NBA, a bit of the same problem the US faces in soccer. Keeping these players in Europe may be the only way to grow Euro basketball, but it would require serious changes to the structure of the league. Blocking players from leaving or instituting minimum year requirements are two ways to do this. It remains unclear what the consequences of such a change would be, but it would be interesting to find out.

What changes would you make to improve European basketball? 

How can we convince players to stay in Europe? 


Comentarios

  1. Unknown8 de noviembre de 2018 a las 14:46

    I think that it will take a long time for European basketball to catch up to the NBA, if ever. The NBA is such an established league, filled with the best talent. If someone is playing in the European league and gets the chance to go to the NBA it is a difficult opportunity to pass up. The competition in the NBA is unlike any other, and many players want to experience this. As discussed at our time at EuroLeague, the facilities that european basketball play at are often not very nice. I think that new, nice facilities could potentially lead to more fans attending game which would possibly result in a better atmosphere at games. This atmosphere and nice conditions could be a reason for players to stay. _ Isabella Richards

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  2. Unknown9 de noviembre de 2018 a las 9:19

    Changes I would suggest to improve European basketball would be to to enforce a minimum year requirement for athletes wishing to go Euroleague. Hopefullin in the future basketball will increase in popularity in Europe and therefore have a larger revenue and pay players more. Euroleague should also invest college basketball athletes who cannot make the NBA from the U.S. as well. I also believe that basketball needs to be advertised and played on television more in Europe. American Football is increasingly being played on English television, and therefore is reaching more viewers. I believe if Euroleague was on the television more they would get more attention.

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