NBA London 2017: Steve Nash can see basketball replicating NFL success in the UK
STEVE NASH believes the NBA Global Games in London is evidence that basketball can duplicate the impact NFL has had over in England.
Steve Nash believes the NBA can emulate the NFL
The NFL international series made its debut in England nine years ago at a packed Wembley stadium featuring the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants.
The sport has since grown from strength-to-strength with multiple regular season matches being played at Wembley.
NBA’s venture over the Atlantic has been a stagnated process but the ‘Global Games’ officially kicked off at the 02 arena in January 2013 when the New York Knicks faced off against the Detroit Pistons.
NBA London 2017 in London
NBA London 2017 in London
The 2017 Global Games will feature Indiana Pacers and the Denver Nuggets and Nash told Express Sport he believes the initiative will continue to grow over the coming years.
“The Global Games are a good start and it’s begun to create a nice little history and we can grow that,” said Nash.
“It’s going to take baby steps to introducing ourselves more intimately to one another and I think fans a lot of joy out of watching the NBA game.”
Much like the NFL, avid British NBA fans are forced to either stay up late or wake up in the early hours of the morning to catch a glimpse of their favourite team.
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But Nash has no doubt that there is a market for the NBA to continue to grow in the UK.
“I think it’s growing and people are getting a better understanding – especially with the internet and social media,” The eight-time All-Star continued.
“Football has been such a historic part of the culture over here I don’t think basketball will ever compete with it but it’s growing.
“It’s got great exposure over here now so it’s fun to come over and introduce ourselves in a new way.”