Resurrected NBA Europe Live Tour brings Celtics, Mavericks to four countries in October

June 25, 2012

One of the forgotten casualties of the 2011 player lockout was the NBA Europe Live Tour bringing top teams from North America to Euroleague arenas – and sometimes vice versa. The NBA Europe Live Tour 2011 was cancelled due to the labor issues, but happily EL officials announced at about noon CET today that the tour is back on for 2012.

Official press release follows, but BallinEurope’ll tell you straight up front that the games on the NBA Europe Live 2012 tour include: Boston Celtics vs. Fenerbahce Ulker on October 5; the Dallas Mavericks vs. Alba Berlin on Oct. 6; Celtics at Emporio Armani Milano on Oct. 7; and, presumably the Mavs against that unnamed Liga Endesa team soon thereafter.

(Euroleague) – The Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), and top Euroleague Basketball teams Alba Berlin from Germany, EA7 Emporio Armani from Italy, and Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul from Turkey will play a series of preseason games this October as part of NBA Europe Live 2012 presented by BBVA, the NBA and Euroleague Basketball.

The four-game tour tips off on Oct. 5 when the 17-time NBA Champion Boston Celtics play five-time Turkish Champions Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul at the newly opened, state-of-the-art Ulker Sports Arena in Istanbul, Turkey. The highly successful O2 World in Berlin, Germany, will be the venue for the homecoming of German national Dirk Nowitzki as the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks take on eight-time German Champions Alba Berlin on Oct. 6. Next stop is Milan, Italy, where 25-time Italian Champions EA7 Emporio Armani will match up against the Celtics at the Mediolanum Forum on Oct.7. The Mavericks will play an additional game in Spain with details to be announced in the near future.

“Returning to Europe with two storied NBA franchises for the sixth installment of the NBA Europe Live presented by BBVA is a testament to our commitment to bringing more live games and events to our fans in Europe,” said Benjamin Morel, Senior Vice President, NBA Europe. “As part of our longstanding collaboration with Euroleague Basketball and with the support of BBVA and all of our partners, fans can look forward to an exciting blend of basketball action, interactive fan events and community-based initiatives as the sport of basketball thrives across the continent.”

“Since 2006 both of the leading basketball competitions, Euroleague Basketball and the NBA, have been coming together to offer fans spectacular basketball and this year is no exception,” said Roser Queralto, Euroleague Basketball’s Chief Business Development Officer. “Some of the best and historic teams from the NBA will face off with some of the strongest Euroleague and European teams for some exciting preseason games to warm up for the next season.”

As part of a multiyear partnership, BBVA – the official bank of the NBA – will serve as the presenting partner of NBA Europe Live for the first time, with Turkish Bank Garanti, which is part owned by BBVA, to be the presenting partner of the game in Istanbul. Adidas will return as a Pan-European partner, a position it has held for all six editions of the tour.

Following the NBA Europe Live Tour 2012, over 450,000 fans will have attended 32 Europe Live games in 12 cities since the inaugural NBA Europe Live series that took place in 2006. In total, 60 games featuring 25 NBA teams will have been played in 18 cities in Europe since 1988.

Extensive community events and programs will again compliment the on-court action in each of the four cities. As part of its NBA Cares initiative, the NBA family has helped create and build 23 places in Europe where children and families can live, learn or play in nine European countries. NBA Europe Live 2012 will also consist of a range of activities for fans in addition to the games, including interactive fan events, basketball development programs, player appearances and more.

Jun 25, 2012ballineurope

This post was published on June 25, 2012

Comments: 48

zahos
10 years ago
Next time please Mr. Stern and Mr.Bertomeou peak ever weaker euroleague teams so that we can avoid another accident like the L.A. Lakers – Barcelona.
NBA EUROPE LIVE TOUR….
The circus is in town.
Althought if i could i would go to see Dirk playing!
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- Gabe
  10 years ago
  Already making excuses for the continuous beatdowns of Euroleague teams by NBA teams in these exhibitions? Both EA7 Emporio Armani and Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul made the “final 16” of Euroleague which is equivalent to the first round of the playoffs which is exactly how far the Mavs made it this year.
  
  Also FYI that additional game in Spain will be the Mavs against “final four” Barca on their home court.
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- Luigi
  10 years ago
  @Andrea, well said, those guys don’t know anything about the NBA. You OWNED them and yet they keep arguing the FACTS you gave them. This says an awful lot about them. Looks to me they’re just jealous of the NBA so they make excuses….don’t waste your time arguing with people who don’t understand.
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zahos
10 years ago
Hey Gabe are you confusing me with someone else??
Do you think that NBA teams loses are wellcomed by NBA headquarters? Is it good for NBA image as the absolut basketball league?
Do you really think that a top-16 euroleague team is in the same level with a final-4 team??
I will tell you just one thing: Olympiakos is european champion , pao was last year’s european champion.In the last 20 years the city of Athens has been present 20 times in the final-4s since 1992 and 13 times in the final with 3 different teams. 8 out of last 20 euroleague cups have been won by Athenian teams so i guess that in a way Athens is something like the capital of euroleague the last 20 years.
OAKA stadium in Athens has more 20.000 seats.
But NBA ever came to Athens????Noooooooooo
Choosing Milan and Berlin????
How do they expect to take them seriously???Alba Berlin and Armani Milan…..pfffff
I exclude Fenerbahce and Turkey generally which has a team with good players and i am sure that in the future will do great in european basketball.Also Turks are spending money and trying to do something good with their basketball trandition.
Anyway just my thoughts….
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- Gabe
  10 years ago
  The NBA is not scared about losing they just care about marketing. They probably believe playing in Germany and Italy will be better for the league in the long run, considering Germany has Europe’s largest economy and Italy’s is larger than Greece’s too. Same reason why I doubt the NBA will ever go to Lithuania or Serbia to play. They want exposure in Western European countries where people can afford to buy more NBA products. Also as Andrea Cavalli said, Dirk being from Germany probably has something to do with the choice too.
  
  If the NBA was so scared of losing why would they continue to play Barca on their home court? Barca is a top Euro team just like Olypiakos or Pao. Also the NBA has invited Olympiakos and Pao to come to North America to play, which if those teams actually were able to win on an NBA teams home court would have been even more embarrassing for the NBA.
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Andres
10 years ago
The NBA will never dare to schedule a game at Olympiacos, at CSKA, at Panathinaikos. They are obviously big chickens.
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- Gabe
  10 years ago
  First off they did play at CSKA in 2006. Secondly they schedule games at FC Barcelona which is just as good as Olympiacos, CSKA, or Panathinaikos.
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Andrea Cavalli
10 years ago
@Andres, if you really have to criticize the NBA at least get your facts straight because I’m a bit tired of people who come up with BASELESS arguments. The NBA already did play at CSKA, back in 2006. It’s also a safe bet they’ll do so again fairly soon considering that the Nets owner is Russian (Prokhorov) and he’s already showed interest to play a game in Russia. Secondly, they already scheduled games at Real Madrid and at Barcelona in the past. So they clearly aren’t scared of anything.
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Andrea Cavalli
10 years ago
For some reason my comment I posted through my facebook account doesn’t appear so I’m going to re-post it.

Alright, one last time, the reason they scheduled games in Milan and Berlin, zahos and Andres, is simple. The city of Milan ITSELF (and I know that for a fact since I’m from Italy) asked to host one of those games after the huge success the 2010 game involving the Knicks had (tickets sold out in just one day and they had over 80,000 tickets requests within few days from the day they put tickets on sale).

Additionally, tickets for the Celtics game were put on sale yesterday and most of them are already gone..the only tickets left are the most expensive ones – 340 euros and 1,020 euros (http://www.ticketone.it/nba-europe-live-2012-biglietti-assago.html?affiliate=ITT&doc=artistPages%2Ftickets&fun=artist&action=tickets&key=794809%242210055&jumpIn=yTix&kuid=471556&from=erdetaila) .

Secondly, Italy is- along with Spain- the top NBA market in Europe as far as fan following is concerned. I have never heard much about Greece. Not to mention there’s a little thing called Euro debt crisis over there so yeah (not that things are much better in Italy, but at least there’s plenty of NBA support in Italy as tickets sales show).

Third, since the game is played in Milan, they obviously chose Olimpia Milan. Which other Italian team were they supposed to choose, exactly? Olimpia makes perfect since because it’s the home team, one of the top teams in Europe and is the most titled team in Europe. And the Boston Celtics have plenty of fans in Italy, probably second only to the Lakers.

As far as Berlin, the choice is obvious since they wanted to send Dirk Nowitzky to play a game in his homeland. There was a lot of demand in Germany to host a Mavericks game. And Berlin is the perfect place to host this game since they have the best and largest (along with London’s O2) arena in Europe.

And, even though it’s not official, the second game the Mavs play during their European tour should be at Barcelona, a final four team.

Does it make sense now? Or do you need to keep complaining without knowing the facts?

Plus, if I’m not mistaken, Olympiakos and Panathinaikos (Maccabi, too) were chosen in the recent past to play preseason games on U.S. soil. So yeah, so much for the league being scared.
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- Andrea Cavalli
  10 years ago
  About Olimpia, I meant “one of the most titled teams in Europe, not THE most titled”..better mentioning it before someone points that out.
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Erik
10 years ago
First off they did play at CSKA in 2006. Secondly they schedule games at FC Barcelona which is just as good as Olympiacos, CSKA, or Panathinaikos.

Reply

They lost to CSKA in 21006 in Russia and from then on the only way CSKA can ever be allowed to play an NBA team is if they come to the USA. Stop being such a damn freaking homer.

These games are clearly scheduled to protect NBA teams. It’s just like Mick scheduling bums to protect Rock.

Games at Barca have no place being in the same discussion with games at Olympiacos and at Panathinaikos. You truly are a moron.

Barca wit the worst home court advantage of any Euroleague team and in the games at Palau Jordi, more than half the people are rooting for the NBA team.

Yeah, that sure is comparable to going to play on of the Greek teams on their home floor.

You are a total joke Gabe. Everyone that is from Europe just comes here and laughs at everything you write here.
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- Andrea Cavalli
  10 years ago
  “You are a total joke Gabe. Everyone that is from Europe just comes here and laughs at everything you write here.”
  
  I don’t know where Gabe is from, but let me tell you one thing: I’m from Europe and, to be perfectly honest with you, I’m laughing at YOU, Erik, not at Gabe….so, please, just please, talk about YOURSELF, not everyone else.
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Erik
10 years ago
@Andres, if you really have to criticize the NBA at least get your facts straight because I’m a bit tired of people who come up with BASELESS arguments. The NBA already did play at CSKA, back in 2006. It’s also a safe bet they’ll do so again fairly soon considering that the Nets owner is Russian (Prokhorov) and he’s already showed interest to play a game in Russia. Secondly, they already scheduled games at Real Madrid and at Barcelona in the past. So they clearly aren’t scared of anything.

reply

They are scared like little girls. Otherwise they would schedule a game at Olympiacos. This whole NBA – Europe thing is a total joke and always has been. The games payed in the USA with Euroleague and NBA teams are an ever bigger joke. Where the refs call every game 90-10 in favor of the NBA teams.

This is the kind of stuff that makes so many Euroleague fans angry. That they do everything they can to protect the fake image of the NBA.

The whole paying at Barca thing is so transparent. They play there because Euroleague is based there and because they have the worst home court advantage in the whole Euroleague. And they have to play these games at their old arena, and there half the freaking people are not even rooting for Barca.
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- Andrea Cavalli
  10 years ago
  Spain is one of the top markets in Europe for the NBA so have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe, that’s the reason they play there? and by the way, a few years ago they played in Madrid, too..and last I checked Madrid is not where Euroleague is based..GET YOUR DAMN FACTS STRAIGHT
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Erik
10 years ago
Secondly, Italy is- along with Spain- the top NBA market in Europe as far as fan following is concerned. I have never heard much about Greece. Not to mention there’s a little thing called Euro debt crisis over there so yeah (not that things are much better in Italy, but at least there’s plenty of NBA support in Italy as tickets sales show).

Plus, if I’m not mistaken, Olympiakos and Panathinaikos (Maccabi, too) were chosen in the recent past to play preseason games on U.S. soil. So yeah, so much for the league being scared.
Reply

Congrats, you are just as big of a punk as Gabe is.
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Erik
10 years ago
Olimpia makes perfect since because it’s the home team, one of the top teams in Europe and is the most titled team in Europe.

reply

false

please get YOUR facts right.
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- Andrea Cavalli
  10 years ago
  “Olimpia makes perfect since because it’s the home team, one of the top teams in Europe and is the most titled team in Europe.
  
  reply
  
  false
  
  please get YOUR facts right.”
  
  Aside the fact I corrected the “most titled team in Europe” part, it still doesn’t change the fact it’s one of the most titled teams in Europe and it’s one of the top teams in the Euroleague..evidently making it to the Top 16 is not enough to be considered one of the top 16 teams in Europe according to your funny mind.
  
  Maybe the one who should get the facts straight is you. I have done my homeworks don’t worry.
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Erik
10 years ago
And Berlin is the perfect place to host this game since they have the best and largest (along with London’s O2) arena in Europe.

reply

ALBA does not have even remotely the second biggest arena in European basketball.

GREAT we have ANOTHER Gabe here now.

How many lies can this guy tell in just ONE post?

lol at a 16,000 arena being “one of the 2 biggest in Europe”.
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- Andrea Cavalli
  10 years ago
  Dude, just stop it. Berlin is regarded as one of the top and largest arenas in Europe. Honestly, I don’t have the seating capacity for each and every arena in Europe, but I would say that about 17,000 capacity would put it near the top–and it’s certainly regarded as one of the most technology-advanced arenas along with London’s O2..
  Reply Cancel
  - Andrea Cavalli
    10 years ago
    “You don’t seem to be able to get anything right.”
    
    OF COURSE
    
    oh wait, the one who’s not able to get anything right is you.
    
    All kidding aside, watch your attitude. I don’t like arguing with people who start offending others. Especially when they have no idea what they’re talking about.
    Reply Cancel
  - Andrea Cavalli
    10 years ago
    I mean, is there a better arena in Germany to host this game? You tell me.
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Erik
10 years ago
Plus, if I’m not mistaken, Olympiakos and Panathinaikos (Maccabi, too) were chosen in the recent past to play preseason games on U.S. soil. So yeah, so much for the league being scared.

reply

The name of the club is Olympiacos. It has not been Olympiakos for years.

You don’t seem to be able to get anything right.
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- Andrea Cavalli
  10 years ago
  Ok, “Olympiacos” then..as if I was the only one still calling them “Olympiakos”….many people still call them like that.
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Andrea Cavalli
10 years ago
Erik, you’ve got a really nice way to get back at people. Calling people you don’t even know “punks, jokes etc.”. Congrats. Especially considering that none of us called you names or anything like that.

Also, it’s so obvious you’re not fair-minded. You are just regurgitating a lot of stuff without even knowing a damn thing. It’s so obvious you’re totally clueless.

I think I’ve been clear in my previous comments. I’m going to sum them up, again:

1) The city of Milan asked to host another game

2) The NBA has a big following in Italy, certainly more than you guys in your precious Greece and your comments with respect to the NBA clearly prove my argument

3) Tickets for the Celtics game in Milan are nearly sold out, and in just ONE day from being put on sale. This clearly showes that point #2 is right on the money

4) Berlin because of Dirk Nowitzky and it was awhile that people in Germany wanted to see Dirk play a game with his NBA team. What’s so hard to understand?

LOL..so now you’re not even happy with them playing Barcelona, one of the top teams in Europe? So the only way to make you happy would be to have the NBA play a game in Athens? Any other location=joke…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Some of you are unbelievable.

And yeah, an event like the NBA Europe Live thing where tickets sell out in a matter of days (really, hours for the game in Italy) is such a joke. Ok then. Whatever makes you sleep at night then.

U MAD? LOL

I will make sure to think about you when I will be attending the Celtics/Olimpia game in Milan around a PACKED arena, Erik…

bon voyage
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mike
10 years ago
Thank you Andrea for being a voice of reason in Europe. It’s nice to know that people like Eric, prejudiced and ignorant, are few and far between overall. Although this site is populated by many “flat earth society” Euros.
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- Andrea Cavalli
  10 years ago
  Yeah, people like Erik are a very vocal minority.
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Gabe
10 years ago
I think Erik’s just made about Euroleague’s 7-37 record against the NBA in these games! lol
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Andrea Cavalli
10 years ago
Well I find it ironic they’re not even happy over the fact good teams like Olimpia Milano and Fenerbahce (top 16 teams) and possibly Barcelona (a final four team) have been chosen to play against NBA teams. And I find it ironic they make lame excuses such as Barcelona having the worst home court advantage in Europe. I didn’t even know that..and I’m fairly sure the NBA wasn’t even aware of that itself. This speaks volumes on the level of faith you guys have over Euroleague teams LOL

also, I’m not sure it’s a good idea for the NBA to play in Athens. Nobody disputes that greek fans are passionate, but many of them are just ANIMALS who set up fireworks, destroy seating sections and can turn a simple game in a war (remember when they evacuated the arena during a recent championship series? or when a fan was killed a few years ago during a womens volleyball game? I mean, a womens volleyball game!!)..not sure the NBA would like to see that in one of their events. Can’t blame them for not going there (and seems to me there’s a lot of anti-USA sentiment over there..they could use the NBA game to do something bad…I would stay away myself if I were the NBA).
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zahos
10 years ago
@Andrea Cavalli

First of all i will not compete in a trolling competition.
I read and understand all your arguments but i don`t agree.
Ignoring the city with the most trophies , finals, final four appearances and with the most money spent for basketball in europe the last 20 years is something i don`t understand.
Ignoring the most successfull basketball city in Europe why???
Well in my opinion is one of these two reasons.
Either NBA thinks
1.We simply don`t like you or
2.We have a lot more to loose than to win in case we play with an Athenian team in Athens.

That thing you said about ANIMAL fans is more or less the same in Italy , Greece and Turkey i am not even mentioning Russia.
I can remind you deaths in Italian sporting events as well. Not that it makes any difference but the killing in the woman`s volleyball game happened pretty far away from the stadium and actually it had nothing to do with sports,simply hooligans stuff both the killer and the victim equally guilty in my opinion because they knew that they were going in a death fight.The volleyball game was just an excuse.
I am not saying some fans are not ANIMALS , i am just saying that what is here is there as well (Lazio and nazi stuff for example).
Let me tell you also that despite the ANIMALS and the anti-american feeling in 2008 USA NT played here and everyone was applauding. Sports and politics don`t mix.

One more thing i find very strange is that in a previous post you said i am from Europe.
I can understand when someone from the USA says that but not from someone from Europe.
An Italian or a Greek saying i am european Is like a perouvian says i am an American.
It is technically true and correct but i will never identify myself as a european first.
Because i feel i have very few things in common with a guy from Sweden or Holland culturally , economically and way of life generally.
Are you an Italian living in Italy or your origins are Italian and living somewhere else , if you don`t mind asking?

In the bottom line the meaning is this.
You don`t want us …ok….
I agree that there are more chances to make more money in Germany,Italy,Spain even England (where people when they see an orange ball they thing that is an oversized orange).
But the fact that you don`t play with the best remains , and you are not going to earn respect by making more money but only when you beat the best.
I hope we can agree at least on that.
And life goes on…..
No big deal.
Chears!
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- Andrea Cavalli
  10 years ago
  Now it’s official, the second game the Mavs will play is against Barcelona.
  
  @zahos, yeah I’m 100% Italian and live in Italy..I was just replying to this comment: “Everyone that is from Europe just comes here and…..” so I replied I’m from Europe, too, without getting into many details. But yeah, it’s true what you say about having few things in common with other people from Europe. Good point.
  
  Look, I know that Pana and Olympiacos are two of the top teams in Europe..and I know the latter won the Euroleague few weeks ago. So those teams are as much deserving as others. But it’s not like they’ve never been invited to play against NBA teams..I seem to remember they were invited to play preseason games in the U.S. as recently as few years ago. So I’m sure the NBA has nothing against those teams.
  
  Now, I believe it’s more of a marketing thing than anything else. It’s not like they’re scared to lose. If that was the case then they would never schedule games against a final four team like Barcelona or a powerhouse like Real Madrid. And they wouldn’t invite those teams or even Maccabi to play non-playoffs NBA teams (playoffs teams, too, for that matter) on U.S. soil. It’s just that when you have cities and fans in Italy, Spain, Germany (it was AWHILE people over there were hoping to see Dirk play a game in his homeland), France, heck even U.K. with London and Manchester, asking to host NBA games ( there’s enough demand from fans as tickets sales prove) then it doesn’t surprise me to see the NBA going that route, even at the expense of a city housing two of the best basketball teams in the world.
  
  Now, is there enough demand for an NBA preseason game in Athens? I mean, enough demand to fill a 20,000-seat arenas, at NBA prices in this crappy economic environment, especially in Greece? (From looking at the U.S. press, there aren’t many positive articles about Greece’s economy these days and don’t think the NBA hasn’t took notice).
  
  Is the city of Athens itself, much like Milan here in Italy, courting the NBA to go there? If the answer is yes, then you guys have every right in the world to wonder why the league hasn’t agreed to play there. But if Athens officials or even officials from Pana and Olymp. didn’t even bother to contact the league, or Greek fans haven’t shown much interest toward the NBA, then that’s probably the reason why. Either way, I highly doubt it has something to do with being scared to lose. After all, Barcelona beat the Lakers in 2010 but this has not stopped the NBA from coming back there. It’s not like they said “see ya, Barcelona! It was nice knowing you! As far as coming back, thanks but no thanks” 😉
  
  As far as the greek fans thing. Obviously it’s true there are idiotic fans all over the place, and in Italy we know a thing or two about it since just about every week there are incidents between opposing fans and police officers in riot gear, both inside and outside stadiums (and, at times, in other part of the cities too). But my point is that, even though basketball is NOT excluded from this kind of behavior in Italy, the ones attending those NBA Europe live games are generally a different fan base than those ones you see at football (soccer for U.S. fans) games. It’s more families, kids, young adults etc..it’s not organized fans for the most part. I can attest to that because I went to the Knicks game in Milan back in 2010. Quite a different crowd from soccer games or even domestic basketball games….but I don’t know if the same would be true in Athens since those fans really seem to go at it even when there’s nothing at stake. I’m sure Americans heard about greek fans causing troubles at several events in the past, even at the recent Final Four in Istanbul. As you can see, they’re repeat offenders. So I’m sure they’ve seen this article in the U.S. and this COULD be (I don’t know that, I’m just guessing) a reason why they aren’t going there.
  
  http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/98022/180/disciplinary-judge-fines-panathinaikos-olympiacos-for-final-four-incidents
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zahos
10 years ago
@Andrea Cavalli

Oh ! I almost forgot!!!!
GOOD LUCK TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!
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- Andrea Cavalli
  10 years ago
  I’m sure you were referring to the Italy football (again, soccer for U.S. fans) game..thanks….I’m not the biggest football fan in the world, that’s for sure, but I watched it anyway and it was great. Now it’s time to kick some Spaniards’ behind.
  
  thanks.
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dave13
10 years ago
Celtics@Milan 07 oct.
tickets available.
contact me
zalayeta27atgmail.com
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Marco
10 years ago
The NBA is chicken shit totally.

Anyone saying otherwise is a troll.

It’s more than obvious.

The NBA will NEVER schedule a game in Europe on a hostile home court against a top European team.

Every year it’s the same thing. The NBA are a bunch of pansies.

I am Italian also and the simple fact that they choose to play Milano and not Siena is more than enough proof of this. This whole thing is nothing but marketing for the NBA. It’s a total joke.

Otherwise they would play Siena if they had to play in “Italian market”. Andrea, you are a funny guy. Please do not make me laugh.

I doubt you are living in Italy when you think only 2 basketball arenas in Europe have 16,000 capacity. Is this a joke? Please just stop.
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- Gabe
  10 years ago
  Yes because Barca is not a top European team. Just were third place this year and champions like three years ago. Oh yeah but I forgot, they have “weakest home court”. cough-excuses
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- Andrea Cavalli
  10 years ago
  @Marco, you wanna talk about trolls? Maybe that’s you. That’s you because only DUMB people don’t understand…..The city of Milan (and really, this must be like the 100th time I mentioned that) ITSELF asked to host this game after the 2010 success when the Knicks came over here. And since the city of Milan asked to host another game, it’s only obvious they wanted the home team involved. Is it really THAT hard to understand? Also, Olimpia Milano is the most titled team in Italy so it makes sense to pair it with one of the most titled teams in the NBA, the Celtics, and many feel like next season Olimpia could be even better than Siena.
  
  They didn’t choose Siena simply because Milan, NOT Siena, asked to host this game, Siena is not the home team and, if we want to be honest, Siena doesn’t even have a large-enough arena to host an event like this one..heck, why do you think they want to get another arena? Their arena is not even good enough for Euroleague standards!!!!
  
  Oh yeah, and Montepaschi didn’t even ask to play against an NBA team, so why in the world should the NBA choose them over a team like Olimpia who asked to be part of the event along with the city of Milan? You tell me.
  
  And yes, ok, there are other large arenas, such as Athens, who have larger capacities but at the end of the day those arenas that are regarded as the top ones in Europe are Berlin and London. Maybe even Istanbul now but every expert says that Berlin and London are the top arenas in Europe.
  
  And at the end of the day tickets for the Milan game are nearly sold out. So much for being a joke. Evidently you are in the minority.
  
  Do you want to know what is obvious? The fact you don’t want to understand. That’s what really obvious.
  
  As always, those ones complaining are people who don’t really know the facts.
  
  And evidently playing against Barcelona, one of the top teams in Europe, must not be enough because, you know, they have the worst home court advantage in Europe (is that even true? I’ve never noticed that).
  
  Yes, I live in Italy, thank you very much. Maybe you’re the one who doesn’t live here. Or maybe you live here in your own fantasy world, who knows?
  
  http://www.facebook.com/andrea.cavalli.374
  
  It’s really impossible to talk with some people, especially NBA haters. They are prejudiced and see what they want to see. You can’t even give them a reasonable explanation.
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- Andrea Cavalli
  10 years ago
  That awkward moment you realize you’re talking in English with another Italian..sorry but this just struck me lol
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mike
10 years ago
Hey Zahos, the NBA doesn’t schedule games in Europe to play the best teams necessarily. Unlike you, the NBA is not insecure and wanting to prove it’s superiority, which is obvious to all but the dumbest Euros, but they go on tours purely for marketing purposes. It’s business more than anything else.

Marco, have you taken your medications yet?
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Phileus
10 years ago
Someone really needs to take away Apollo’s crack pipes.
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Zahos
10 years ago
There is no question that NBA is superior in almost everything.
The question is how will you attract new fans from Europe if you don’t respect and face and beat europe’s best???
I think we have talked too much about that issue and I don’t have anything else to add.
Obsiously I can’t convice you but the forum is here in order to express opinions and not trying to convice each other.
Maybe I am right maybe not but in any case think also of my perspective because you might find some truth.
Minds works exactly like parachutes , only when they are open.
If they are not open the only thing they do is add speed on somebody’s crash!
Good day!
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Miguel
10 years ago
Zahos these guys are true idiots. You will never convince them of anything. They live in their own fantasy worlds.

I mean ALBA? Freaking ALBA???

LMFAO at anyone that tries to claim these games are not all hand picked for the NBA to have their way.

ALBA

hahahahahahahah
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- Andrea Cavalli
  10 years ago
  @Miguel, first off go call idiot someone else. Because if there’s someone who doesn’ t understand or doesn’t want to understand, that’s people like you. ALBA because the game is played in GERMANY SINCE IT’S AWHILE GERMANY AND GERMAN FANS WANTED TO SEE DIRK NOWITZKI PLAY A GAME IN HIS HOMELAND, BERLIN HAPPENS TO HAVE THE BEST ARENA IN GERMANY AND ONE OF THE TOP AND LARGEST ARENAS IN EUROPE FOR THAT MATTER..AND ALBA IS THE HOME TEAM SINCE THATS THEIR ARENA..Is it really that HARD to understand? I mean, maybe the idiot is someone else….and let’s be clear, I hate calling people I’ve never met names, but since that’s how some of you roll on this site, then I’m going to join the fun.
  
  Also, the Mavs will play at Barcelona, one of the top teams in Europe, a team that already beat the Lakers two years ago. If they were really little girls scared to play the top teams, then why in the frickin world they are back in Barcelona? You clearly are dumb as a rock.
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Andrea Cavalli
10 years ago
What is the record of comments for this site? If we keep at it we could eclipse it ahahaha.
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Phileus
10 years ago
Oh man. Andrea Cavalli just owned Marco/Miguel/Apollo’s face off in this thread. This is too entertaining.

And Andrea, I know one flame thread got over 200 comments, so you’re way off the record 😉
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- Andrea Cavalli
  10 years ago
  Oh, ok..this means we’re still a long way off…unless a few others get into it, we’re not going to set any new record..still, about 50 comments is more than the vast majority of the posts on this site lol
  
  anyways, tickets for the Mavs game in Berlin sold out in just one hour.
  
  http://www.eurobasket.com/Germany/basketball.asp?NewsID=276255
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mike
10 years ago
Okay Zahos,I understand your point, and it has validity, but again, the NBA doesn’t go to Europe to prove superiority, or face off against the best. At that point of the pre-season, you can’t prove anything. It’s really all fun and games, and marketing.

The NBA might say, for example, “our ratings are weak in Germany, let’s bring Dirk over there to remind them how great he is”. So they go to Germany. Or ” let’s bring Pau to Spain”, or whatever. If Spanoulis turned out to be a good player in the NBA, you can bet the NBA would be in Athens a lot.
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George
10 years ago
The NBA might say, for example, “our ratings are weak in Germany, let’s bring Dirk over there to remind them how great he is”. So they go to Germany. Or ” let’s bring Pau to Spain”, or whatever. If Spanoulis turned out to be a good player in the NBA, you can bet the NBA would be in Athens a lot.

No they would not be in Athens. The NBA won’t ever come play against any home court that they cannot win at.
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mike
10 years ago
Yeah George, the NBA would be so scared to kick crybaby Spanoulis behind ’cause his mommy in Athens might get mad.
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