european flavoured NBA pre-season
the NBA Europe live pre-season has begun:
Make sure you check out the NBA Europe site here
But the best part is what London Times reporter Ian Whittell writes at ESPN.com:
Whittell reminds us that this is not the first time we hear about NBA expansion into Europe (arena issues were the stumbling block):
Make sure you check out the NBA Europe site here
despite a double-double performance (21pt 10r) by Samuel Dalembert the 76ers lost to an FC Barcelona that finished third in their league last season 104-99 as Philly shot 54% from the free throw line (26 of 48)-now that's a lot of free throws for a pre-season game, so it's understandable they only shot 3-8 from 3pt land while Barcelona went 10-24 from outside and made the best of the 21 turnovers given to them by the Sixers
Tony Parker rightfully steals the show (yes despite an injured finger) in his native France scored 24 of his 26pts in the first half on 10-13 shooting and added 10 assists as the San Antonio Spurs went on to defeat Lyon 115-90 amidst the "TONY!" chants that shook the arena with 3 minutes left in the game
But the best part is what London Times reporter Ian Whittell writes at ESPN.com:
Whittell reminds us that this is not the first time we hear about NBA expansion into Europe (arena issues were the stumbling block):
"The lack of suitable venues
-- not travel or scheduling problems --
remains the biggest single obstacle
to possible European development"
"Smaller venues, lagging behind their American equivalents
in features such as suites, concessions and parking,
would not generate the necessary income
over a 41-game NBA home season"
-- not travel or scheduling problems --
remains the biggest single obstacle
to possible European development"
"Smaller venues, lagging behind their American equivalents
in features such as suites, concessions and parking,
would not generate the necessary income
over a 41-game NBA home season"
Sounds like: "if you build it they will come"
