The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Brooklyn Nets have to make the long journey to the NBA Paris Game. Despite the hardships, this European trip puts the NBA stars in a good mood. It can perhaps even be a sporting spark.
Julian Huter reports from the NBA in Paris
The Brooklyn Nets are not playing before the NBA Paris Game (Thursday from 7:20 p.m. live on ProSieben MAXX, ran.de, in the ran app and on Joyn). Six of the last seven games were lost for New York – now including the long trip to France.
One might think that it was an untimely strain. Nevertheless, the mood in the Palais des Sports Marcel-Cerdan in the northwest of Paris was exuberant.
Loud music boomed from the speakers in the arena, where NBA super talent Victor Wembanyama was hunting for baskets last season. Nets top star Mikal Bridges repeatedly showed his “three-finger celebration” – his trademark in the NBA – and joked with his colleagues. Relaxed canter during training, lots of laughter and a relaxed atmosphere.
Are the Nets players not bothered by their current crisis? Unlikely. It is clear from all the NBA stars who gathered in Paris this Wednesday afternoon that this trip is something special for the players.
NBA: The most important things in brief
In contrast to the NFL, the NBA plays significantly less often in Europe – or generally abroad. This season there are only one game in Mexico and this Paris game. Some players have never been to Europe, for many it is their first trip to the fashion metropolis.
And this international business trip has even more advantages compared to NFL trips. In the much tighter rhythm of the NBA season, there is hardly even time to train intensively for two or three days in a row. The fundamentals that are so important as a team need to be honed in at best in the training camp before the season.
NBA Paris Game as an opportunity in a packed calendar
Rehearsing these during the season is difficult. Even within the USA, NBA teams sometimes have to cover long distances and often play on two consecutive days.
Also ranNBA expert Alex King sees the Paris trip as an opportunity for the struggling Nets. “In these five days in Paris you have the opportunity to get closer together. Just see something different, have a little distraction – that can also help in a sporting crisis,” said King.
There was definitely a distraction this afternoon. In addition to the new surroundings and curious media representatives from all over Europe, there were also many children in attendance who were able to get up close and personal with their stars as part of the NBA’s youth program. Some NBA stars willingly posed for photos, and the children’s joy was contagious.
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Donovan Mitchell’s slippers cause amazement
For the Cavaliers, the sporting situation looks much more positive. The team from Ohio is ranked 7th in the Eastern Conference and is only one win behind fourth place. After the disappointing first round exit in the 2023 playoffs, they are still under pressure – especially with a view to the postseason.
Donovan Mitchell from the Cavaliers still came to the game in good spirits ran-Interview. He sat down in front of the camera in a casual outfit with glasses, a cap and slippers. Those slippers caused astonishment on social media the day before.
“They told us it would be cold, but I didn’t think it would be that cold,” Mitchell said with a grin when asked about the slippers. “But I’m originally from the New York area, I’m actually used to it.”
Like many of the others, Mitchell also uses the trip to the fashion metropolis to shop. Even if he himself says that this is his third time in Paris.
NBA: Mitchell brings mom to Paris
“It’s still always special to be here. This time I brought my mother with me,” said the shooting guard. A business trip as a family outing – Mitchell, who is often the subject of trade rumors, spoke of a “highlight”.
The biggest highlight is still ahead for both teams. Namely, when they arrive at the Arcor Arena in Paris on Thursday (from 7:20 p.m. live on ProSieben MAXX, ran.de, in the ran app and on Joyn). Fans from all over Europe are expected to take advantage of the only chance to watch an NBA game on their home continent.
King also expects an exhilarating basketball festival: “The NBA is very different from European basketball. The atmosphere there is often a bit slow at the beginning. Only when things get serious in the second half does the mood really come into play. The European fans that will be there now create a completely different atmosphere than what I got from the NBA. There will be a lot of hardcore fans.”
It will certainly be a memorable experience that can bond a team together. And perhaps the starting signal for a playoff push or at least a first step out of the crisis.
2024-01-11 12:27:00
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