The NBA has done something extremely interesting by playing a number of preseason games across seas – not only between NBA teams, but also against professional teams in Europe. Here are the good and bad sides of the issue:
The good side: This is great promotional advertising for a league that for all intents and purposes is 3rd most popular in the United States, but gaining rapidly on soccer everywhere else in the world. Baseball doesn’t have this luxury, with exception to Latin America, and American football is essentially seen as barbaric in the eyes of the rest of the world. This is a great way for the NBA to get their name out to the rest of the world and put their label in peak position for merchandising (Re: incredibly successful NBA Store on 5th Ave that has about 50% of its purchases made by international fans). Great work on behalf of Commissioner David Stern and a great move all around for basketball.
The bad side: If you are going to brag about your product and the strength of the NBA, you have to actually win the games you play against international teams. Last week, the Los Angeles Lakers made a presence in Spain but fell apart in the end and ended up losing to FC Barcelona. Hello!? These are our defending champions!? At least make the league look reasonably talented!! Granted, Kobe Bryant was nursing an injury and it was our preseason – but come on! Our B-Team was able to win the World Basketball Championship, our top collective team can take care of some Spaniards (considering we had their best player in Pau Gasol). Pitiful performance by the Lakers – absolutely demeaning to the whole league. Next year Stern better consider who he sends overseas (if anyone) that can actually show the league in a positive, talented light.
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