Nostalgia, American show, Frenchy… Five (good) reasons to follow Chicago-Detroit in Paris

The great Barnum of the NBA takes up residence in Paris. The North American league is offering a regular season game at the Accor Arena this Thursday (9 p.m., beIN SPORTS, Canal+ et NBA League Pass), not to mention various animations. An event. Certainly, Chicago and Detroit are not big names. 10th in the Eastern standings, the Bullsare on alternating current», as noted by Jacques Monclar, consultant beIN. «Overall, they hit the big ones or the ones that are supposed to be big, like the Warriors until recently. Usually it’s a team of gunslingers shooting. There they gave the ball to Nikola Vucevic, who stuck 43“, He continues, ensuring not to be disappointed by the season of the Illinois club. “I expected that. There are good players but it is an inconstant team which is not in place“, he adds.

Concerning Detroit, 14th in the same Conference, it’s time for reconstruction, not to say… tanking. “It’s a young team growing in painnotes former Pistons glory Ben Wallace. If we keep this group, I think we can have a special team.But the important thing is elsewhere. That’s why.

The NBA in Paris, an event

Let’s not hide our pleasure: the NBA is such a strong brand, such a dream factory, that its presence in the capital is an event. Proof of popular interest, the tickets sold out in… less than 30 minutes! “This is a great moment for the NBA in France. We have a record number of marketing partners (17) and a record number of broadcasters (16)“, notes Ralph Rivera, general manager NBA Europe, when Adam Silver, big boss, is on the verge of “qualify the event as a success even before the match is held“, not hesitating to confirm the outfit”probableof a match in 2024. The tremor is sensitive. Example ? According to a study conducted by Hotels.com, we observe a 55% increase in searches for hotels on January 19 on the banks of the Seine, compared to the same day the following week. Americans and Koreans lead the nations that book the most hotels.

Read also“Historical market”, social networks … How the NBA fell in love with France

In any case, US basketball is the guarantee of a show that goes beyond the game. Moreover, the NBA sees this match as its “European All Star Gameand came with all her family, from former Bull Joakim Noah to Magic Johnson, including Tony Parker, Dwayne Wade and Ben Wallace. Victor Wembanyama is not part of it yet, but it will be soon. He will also be at Bercy this Thursday, whom the whole big league and Adam Silver are waiting for. In the meantime, the NBA is coming to him and the rest of the French fans.

A game that matters

It is not a question here of a simple gala match. It is indeed part of the regular season which will take place on the boards of Bercy. A match that counts, especially for the Bulls in search of a place in the play-offs. One of only two contested outside the United States and Canada this season along with Mexico City. A sacred privilege for the lucky ones who will manage to dribble strikes in transport to fill the stands of the Accor Arena and viewers from France and elsewhere. After London initially, Paris has inherited the gift since 2020, only being deprived of it in 2021 and 2022 because of the Covid pandemic. “That France is a large market in terms of marketing and television is nothing new. There is respect, we have about ten players there, there is a tradition, we have had exceptional ambassadors“Explains Monclar.

Hayes, the regional stage

In 2020, it was Nicolas Batum who played in front of the French public, when he wore the colors of Charlotte. His last game with the Hornets for that matter. This time, Killian Hayes will officiate as ambassador. A Killian Hayes finally at the rendezvous of his promises and in great shape since the start of the season, with a personal best at 26 points recently. He averages 10 points and nearly 6 assists per game in 2022-23. The former Cholet will be at home. “Having the opportunity to play in Paris when I’m in good shape, that adds a plus“Slips the 21-year-old leader.

Read alsoNBA: Killian Hayes, finally at the rendezvous of his promises

A rivalry, memories

Admittedly, Michael Jordan, Isiah Thomas, Scottie Pippen and company hung up a long time ago. But this poster between northern neighbors of the United States still has a special flavor. “You feel a different energy in the fans when the Bulls come to Detroit because there is a lot of history between the two teams.», Analyzes Hayes, not failing to add that Isiah Thomas, double champion, is never very far from the Pistons and the Little Caesars Arena. “This poster refers to many things and in particular to Michael Jordan, the Bad Boys or their rivalry in the East and in their division. These are teams that have not changed their shirts too much, which remain in a certain tradition. There is a real rivalry. It is also nine titles between the two clubs“recalls Monclar.

Note that the last time the Bulls came to Paris was in 1997, with “MJ” in its ranks. It was around this time that Adam Silver, who had other duties, helped convince the so-called “Black Jesus”, Phil Jackson and the franchise’s front office to let a camera crew follow. the campaign of those who were still “only” five-time NBA champions. Images that were used to concoct the series “The Last Danceon Netflix.

Stars on the floor

This time, no world-class superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2020, with Milwaukee. The POPB will also not have the chance to see the number 1 of the 2021 Draft, Cade Cunningham, out for the season with Detroit. On the side of the Bulls, apart from Lonzo Ball, excluded from the floors for a year, the stars are there, including DeMar DeRozan, an uncertain time. The spectacular Zach LaVine too. Two players”who step on each other’s toes», says Jacques Monclar, but who have everything to delight the crowd, just like Evan Fournier’s great friend, the Montenegrin interior Nikola Vucevic, one of the three Francophones in the match with Hayes and the American of Guinean origin Hamidou Diallo, winner of the dunks contest in 2019. At the Pistons, we can mention the fit man Bojan Bogdanovic, who could also not finish the season under the orders of Dwane Casey.