While talking about the new NBA project planned to be implemented in Europe, Adam Silver emphasized that they attach great importance to the opinions of European stars. Silver confirmed that he had a recent meeting with Los Angeles Lakers player Luka Doncic regarding this new league venture.
Before starting his NBA career, the Slovenian star won the EuroLeague championship in 2018 with Real Madrid and was elected MVP in the same season. With this background, Dončić, who knows the European basketball system very well, is a key reference point in the project, according to Silver.
Silver used the following statements in his statement in Berlin:
“I completely agree with Franz Wagner and other European NBA players with whom I have spoken personally. We recently had a conversation with Luka Doncic about this league, and I think it is extremely critical to respect the traditions of European basketball.”
Reminding that many players came to the NBA from European infrastructures, the experienced commissioner said, “Luka is one of the best examples of this. He played in Real Madrid and knows the system here very well. Therefore, we listen to the advice wherever it comes from.”
Silver also stated that they received feedback from American players who have played in Europe before. Emphasizing that the competitive level of European basketball is very high, Silver reminded that five of the last seven NBA MVPs were European players.
Stating that the new project will be carried out in partnership with FIBA, Silver stated that their aim is to bring “tradition and innovation” together. He concluded his words by saying, “It is very important to work with institutions that understand the culture, history of European basketball and the elements that make it special.”
