NBA Goes Globall: Five Games They Should Have Scheduled Abroad
Last week, the NBA announced that the Toronto Raptors and the New Jersey Nets will journey abroad to London for back-to-back regular season battles on March 4 and 5.
One of the primary steps in David Stern's movement towards making the NBA a global game has been to explore the possibilities of playing games overseas. London's O2 Arena has hosted preseason games in recent years and will host Toronto and New Jersey in March.
Stern's attempt to globalize the game is certainly admirable. But there is no question he could have opted to showcase two of the NBA's marquee teams for the fans in England.
Here's a look at five games that the NBA should have scheduled abroad.
No. 5: Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets
1 of 5
One of the NBA's best rivalries featuring plenty of talented players would also give fans a chance to see quality basketball that the Nets and Raptors will simply be unable to provide.
With Dirk Nowitzki, Roddy Beaubois, Luis Scola, and Yao Ming, the game would have a strong global representation.
The star power of Nowitzki, Yao, and Jason Kidd would provide fans with plenty of identifiable players worth watching.
No. 4: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers
2 of 5
The NBA is all about star power, and the Lakers certainly have it from top to bottom.
Meanwhile, the young Clippers have Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon, and a handful of solid veterans that could have the team at least in the conversation for a playoff berth in 2010.
Instead of playing the traditional battle at the Staples Center, the NBA could shift the battle between the two teams to London.
Can you imagine seeing fans wearing Clippers jerseys in Paddington Station?
No. 3: Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs
3 of 5
The Suns play a fast-paced style that is enjoyable for basketball fans to watch. The Spurs are a veteran team with just enough talented young players to make the team worth watching.
The rivalry between the two teams is certainly beginning to fade a bit, but there is no question both teams will be in the mix once again this season.
Steve Nash and Tim Duncan would provide the requisite star power in the matchup, along with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Throw in promising youngster Goran Dragic and the game would have a strong international flavor.
No. 2: Chicago Bulls vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
4 of 5
The Bulls and Thunder would offer fans overseas a firsthand glimpse of the NBA's next generation of superstars and two of the NBA's most promising young teams.
Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant figure to be fixtures in All-Star games and on highlight reels for years to come. Both players have marketable skills and the clean images that David Stern loves.
The matchups between these two teams in the coming years are certain to be compelling, no matter where the games are played.
No. 1: Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks
5 of 5
Any game the Heat play figures to produce sensational ratings, and the interest generated by a trip to London would be the basketball equivalent of the Beatles landing at JFK in 1964.
The Heat's foe in such a scenario would be almost irrelevant, but the Knicks would provide an interesting matchup, especially if the team manages to acquire Carmelo Anthony in the near future.
The biggest hurdle for Stern and the NBA would be the outrage associated with moving a game from a home venue to an overseas venue. The Raptors and Nets could use a boost in attendance and interest, while the Heat and Knicks certainly won't have any problems filling the stands.
Stern's goal of expanding the NBA to include a franchise abroad is far from becoming a reality. But there's no question that playing games in England or Spain will strengthen the league's platform of going global.
It's simply all about the Benjamins.
