THE glitz and star appeal of the NBA landing in Newcastle might sound like a pipe dream but it moves one step closer to reality this weekend.
As the UK gears up for a historic series of regular season NBA games at London’s O2 Arena on March 4 and 5, the build-up begins in earnest in the North East on Sunday with a series of fan events to help boost the sport’s profile in a city where the game already has a committed, loyal following.
As part of the NBA basketball week, a series of coaching clinics and 3 v 3 tournaments are being held at the city’s Westgate Sports Centre and Sport Central. It might be relatively small beer compared to the main event between the Toronto Raptors and the New Jersey Nets in the capital next weekend, but it is a positive step towards expanding awareness of the sport in a city obsessed with football.
Organisers are promising NBA coaches will be on hand to help beginners and experienced players with their skills – while there is also the prospect of meeting some legends of the game who have crossed the Atlantic to support the ground-breaking game.
Back this, the sport’s power brokers in this country say, and the North East becomes a possible calling point for future GB internationals and even the NBA game itself.
That is a view endorsed by the iconic former NBA star Clyde ‘the glide’ Drexler, who is lending his support to efforts to advance basketball’s cause. A member of the original dream team from the Barcelona Olympics and a ten-time NBA hall-of-famer, Drexler sees pushing the sport in the UK as a key part of his legacy.
“The thing about former NBA stars is that we all believe we have a duty to the game. I see pushing basketball globally as part of that and I’m happy to get involved,” he told The Journal.
“This is a huge opportunity for the UK, a real era-defining moment for the NBA to be staging its first game outside of North America.
“There is a real investment by the NBA and the authorities in the UK to make it happen and now it is up to the people to show that there is enthusiasm for the game so that it can grow.
“I believe there is real potential but the UK – and the people of Newcastle are key to this – have to get behind it because there are so many other places in the world that would love to have a regular season NBA game in their country.”
Newcastle has been picked along with Sheffield, Manchester and Birmingham as staging posts during the NBA basketball week. Geographically out of the way for an organisation that has gravitated towards London, it is the strong performance of the Eagles, the determination of their directors and the commitment of fans in this region that made it an essential stop.
“I know a bit about Newcastle and I know that the team there is strong,” Drexler said. “Do I think the city could be involved in the future with the NBA? Sure, why not? I know there is a strong sporting culture in the city and that passion is something that as an athlete you love to play in front of.”
American sports organisations are not prone to underselling their product and some in the NBA have even talked about a British franchise joining the league if the game grows sufficiently over the next decade.
Does Drexler really believe there is a chance of that? “I absolutely think that is possible,” he said.
“I know they have talked about it with the NFL but the NBA probably has a bigger global following. What we are potentially talking about is very exciting but it needs people to show they are excited about it too.”
NBA Basketball Week begins tomorrow and culminates with the New Jersey Nets against the Toronto Raptors in Europe’s first ever NBA regular season games at the O2 Arena on March 4 and 5. Visit www.theo2.co.uk to buy tickets. Go to www.facebook.com/nbauk for more details about Newcastle’s involvement.
