But it’s not just a belief. This is reality. Unlike Santa Clause, there is tangible proof to back up the claim that the NBA is growing to multiple countries at an exponential rate. This year, which marks the 15th anniversary of the NBA Summer League, two brand new teams were added to the mix of NBA teams on display. Those teams are the Chinese and Croatian national basketball teams.
Now, let's not get it twisted. These teams are not near the level of the NBA caliber players and rookies that are on display on a yearly basis in the Vegas desert. The Croatian national team went up against the Detroit Pistons in the first-ever Summer League match this year in the Cox Pavilion. They were outclassed 96-80 without the Pistons number 15 pick, Sekou Doumbouya, unavailable for action. The Chinese National team also played their first game on opening day against the Miami Heat. They were backhanded a 103-62 defeat as well.
For these teams, it's not really about the results they grab during their time in Las Vegas. What matters is that they now have access to play against competition that they wouldn't be able to find in their home countries. In order for these guys to enhance and elevate their own play, it’s crucial that they are exposed to competition that is leaps and bounds better than themselves. This serves as an eye opener to the federations and players that, indeed, the bar is set a lot higher than they are accustomed to.
The addition of these national teams also serves as a testament to how global the game of basketball has and is becoming. This year, four of the five major individual awards were handed to foreign players. The rookie of the year went to Luka Doncic, who is from Slovenia. The most improved player went to Pascal Siakam, who is from Cameroon. The defensive player of the year went to Rudy Gobert, who is from France. Even the most valuable player award went to a foreign player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is from Greece.
For lack of a better ending, 2019 has placed itself in NBA history as the year the game truly went global. The NBA’s best players received the most coveted individual awards. The NBA Summer League has expanded to accommodate national teams going up against NBA teams. The NBA champions weren’t even from the United States; they were the Toronto Raptors which, if you need a geography brush up, are located in Canada. And, in terms of Las Vegas News, the Los Angeles Lakers won't be coming in town for their annual preseason away game. Instead, they will be heading to Shanghai and Shenzhen in China.
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