By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
“Maybe they will invite us to the NBA; careful EuroLeague”. The quote made by Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman after the win over Maccabi Tel Aviv was hailed as a usual “Atamanism”.
However, things may not be always what they appear. According to Serbian outlet “Meridian Sport” and veteran journalist Djordje Matic, the NBA is indeed preparing a European league that may end up being a rival to the EuroLeague/
The NBA “is very close to the final decision to form a separate league on the Old Continent without intermediaries from the Euroleague and FIBA, in direct communication with the biggest clubs” per the report.
It has to be noted that this kind of rumor has been in the air for the past 20 years with clubs like Real Madrid and Panathinaikos always being mentioned among the candidates to join a version of NBA-Europe.
But the report goes even deeper, adding that the G League is not considered by the NBA an ” adequate development competition” and that’s also a strong reason for the NBA to invest in Europe, considering the talent they get like Jokic, Doncic, Antetokounmpo and Sabonis.
Meanwhile, the constant division between FIBA and EuroLeague makes the whole landscape in European basketball problematic and that was considered for a long time a factor for the NBA not getting involved.
However, on the flip side, the report insists that this can also mean that there’s an opportunity.
