NBA regains Paris with trip down Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons

PARIS — In the world of team sports, there are few leagues capable of taking their product from one side of the globe to the other without the final product being little changed from the original. The foundation on which the pillars of modern sports are based is the public. The fans are the ones who really make the difference in determining whether something works or not. It’s not so much about the numbers, income or social interactions as it is about the experience you had on the pitch, the relationship between the field and the stands and the desire to cheer whatever the outcome. The nba He moved his special show across the Atlantic, crossing the pond for the first time since the pandemic changed the world. The place chosen was the same as that fateful 2020 where everything changed: Paris.

The choice of the two teams that participated in the second duel of the Regular Season on French soil and the eleventh in the Old Continent was not accidental. The story between Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls comes from a long time ago, so much so that only four players were born when the battles between these two teams reached their peak in Playoffs (Dragic, DeRozan, Bogdanovic and Vucevic). However, none of them have any memories of that time as they were just starting their life journey.

Time cooled this rivalry as it also ended up leaving the best years of both franchises behind. But if there’s one thing that remains unchanged over the decades, it’s this nostalgia, the idealized memory of what once was. And the NBA knows how to use that warm feeling like few others, giving it both a sports and commercial feel.

Around the court, the French fans wore mostly Bulls jerseys, but there was no DeRozan or Vucevic name on their backs, maybe someone as brave as LaVine. No, Jordan was the king, just like the last time Chicago visited the City of Lights 25 years ago.

The memory of what this team did in the 90s of the last century is still very present in all layers of fans who have any kind of interest in the league. Without further ado, the usual meeting place for fans in the city known as nba home, it became a small, makeshift museum for some of the most valuable and coveted pieces for die-hard Bulls fans. Larry O’Brien’s six trophies won over a span of eight seasons rested a few feet from the Seine. Around them, a good collection of souvenirs of great value. the shoes they wore Michael Jordan or Dennis Rodman, or a part of its parquet Chicago Stadium with the signature of the 1990 ensemble, were some of the objects that shaped this corner.

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The game, the big reason the NBA has two teams traveling halfway around the world in the middle of the season, more than lived up to public expectations, even more so than in 2020. Zach LaVine Classify the environment as “electric“, at the press conference that followed, and he was right. Which was possible thanks to the fact that the players themselves wanted to put on a good show and tried to provide a small pill of what is seen in this league night after night from October to June.

While it wasn’t the most competitive duel or the highest level of play, the individual actions were worth it. Herein lies the reason this competition manages to succeed wherever it goes. there is a real sense of ownership and responsibility on the part of the protagonists of the game against the NBA and vice versa. This has a lot to do with the fact that players and teams are partners and there is not a simple employer-employee relationship like in other sports. If the NBA grows, they get rewarded too. Most veterans know this and lead by example of the more inexperienced.

“It was incredible”DeMar DeRozan said at a press conference. “Tonight is one of those games where, for me, I’ll look back in a few years from now and realize how incredible this moment was. The atmosphere. they have the commissioner [Adam Silver] here. Having Magic Johnson here. Everyone who attended, it was definitely a great atmosphere and a privilege to be a part of it all.”

A sentiment shared by others, such as Bulls coach Billy Donovan, who reflected a little more on the significance of the event.

“When you get a chance to go to a different country and see people who maybe follow the NBA in some way with the time change and who knows what time in the morning, it’s great for people here to be able to see the NBA up close », commented the technician. “It makes you realize that this sport is so closely watched around the world. It was incredible to know that the tickets were sold out and the enthusiasm shown by the audience.”

The league turns everything it touches into gold and Paris moved to the sound of these three acronyms (transport strike through), bringing to the occasion many legends and former players with remarkable careers. From a Magic Johnson who remembered his presence in 1991 for the McDonald’s Open to figures of the stature of Toni Kukoc, Tony Parker, Richard Hamilton, Ben Wallace or Joakim Noah, who left unforgettable moments wherever he went.

But this express trip also created a very strange picture. The player who, as Dwayne Casey and Adam Silver joked, they are not allowed to talk about and whose reputation and publicity before, he did not miss the opportunity to see closely who his opponents will be next year: Victor Wembanyama. The future of France is in their hands and who knows if the NBA’s too. “He’s someone who can come to the NBA and change the game again.”DeRozan acknowledged when asked by Sports news and the reason is not missing.

The NBA’s future internationally depends on continuing to expand and finding windows to bring in its best product, the game, wherever the followers are devoted to the cause. It’s no easy feat, especially with such a demanding 82-race schedule, but there is an inclination and demand for races in all corners of the globe. Especially to Europe.

The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.