Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Has European Professional Basketball Caught up to the NBA?
Contrary to conventional wisdom, American professional basketball players and Euroleague teams have been actively competing for the past 20 years in direct competition other than at the Olympics. The competition began when in 1987 the Milwaukee Bucks defeated Tracer Milan of Italy, 123-111, in the opening game of the first McDonald's Open, held at the Milwaukee Arena. The Bucks beat the Soviet National Team, 127-100, in the championship game of the tournament sanctioned by the NBA and FIBA.
The next year, in the very first McDonald's Championship to be held in Europe, the Boston Celtics beat Real Madrid 111-96 at the Palacio de Deportes in Madrid, Spain.
Also in 1988, the Atlanta Hawks became the first NBA team to play in the Soviet Union when they defeated the Soviet Georgia All-Stars, 85-84, in a pre-season game.
By the third year, the McDonald's Championship moved to Rome, Italy. This time, the Denver Nuggets represented the NBA against the Spanish Champion F.C. Barcelona, the European Champion Jugoplastika Split, and Philips Milan. The Nuggets beat Barcelona in their tournament opener and went on to edge Jugoplastika Split 135-129 to capture the title.
In 1991 the so-called 'city of lights' was the site for McDonald's Championship. The Los Angeles Lakers went to Paris, France to compete against the host team CSP Limoges, Joventut Badalona and Slobodna Dalmacija Split of the former Yugoslavia. With Magic Johnson taking charge, the Lakers beat CSP Limoges before eking out a win versus Joventut Badalona 116-114 to claim the title.
It was 1993 which saw the first pre-season game between two U.S. pro teams ever played in Europe, the Orlando Magic, led by 14 fourth-quarter points from Dennis Scott, defeated the Atlanta Hawks 120-95 before a sold-out crowd of 9,483 at Wembley Arena in the opening of the two-game NBA London Games series.
In 2003, the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies played an NBA pre-season game in Paris, as part of the NBA Europe Games 2003, in front of a sell-out crowd of 14,480. The NBA Champion Spurs won 105-93 and Spurs player Tony Parker got a standing ovation when he received the MVP in front of his home crowd. After the noted game, the Memphis Grizzlies traveled to Barcelona where they played local team FC Barcelona on October 10. Memphis won the game 91-80 and Spanish native Pau Gasol, former player for FC Barcelona, put his many skills on full display.
Matthew Paolini is a Baton Rouge, LA-based content provider with http://Citybook.com Business Yellow Pages.Chicago Venues Wedding
Kt106
Kt122
Farm Ford Sale Tractor
Bike Black Clip Week
California King Mattress
007 Ringtone
Coupon Footwear Outlet Timberland
Construction Cost In Management Minimize Project
1 Cart Hosting Shopping Web
Brick Face Garden State Stucco
Create Free Program Wedding
John Eller
Satellite Tracking Program
0a Celebrity Christian News
Home Builder In Atlanta
It Job Security
Aruba Hotel And Spa Las Vegas
Picture Of Cartoon Baby Animal
Wholesale Cat Food
Pre Owned Nissan Car Dealer
Disposable Hearing Protection
Canada Hiking Trip
Colorado Birth Injury Lawyer
314 Sinus
Atlantic City Boardwalk Hotel Map
Massage Therapy Schools In Massachusetts
Houston In Pet Shop
Millennium Maxwell House Hotel Nashville
Insurance Settlement Loan
Eve In La New Party Years
Making Money Work A Christian Guide For Personal Finance
Kt3
Party Sheilas World
100 Cotton Dress Shirt
Affiliate Programme
Champion School Of Real Estate Texas
04 House
Bearskin Airlines
Nokia Mobile
Knitted Cat Toy
As Business Business Finance Guide Information Journal Library Marketing Monograph Published Simultaneously Strategic
Cpu Motherboard Bundle
Book Cook Fannie Farmer Recipe
Exhaust Manufacturer
Kt120
Syracuse Ny Hotels
Bank Federal Home Loan Ocwen
Singing Audition And Or Competition
Charlie And Sabrina Mtv True Life
Dc Dance Class
Creative Curriculum For Infant And Toddler
Medical Surgical Nursing Care Manual
Australia Flight Flight
Beginning Yoga Video
39 Bank People S State
Lucchese Boot
Kala Sarpa Yoga
Radisson Hotel Branson Mo
Black Pearl Stud Earring
Bed Breakfast Falls Niagara Ontario
2000 By Florida Owner Rental Villa Villa
Homes For Sale Michigan
All Inclusive Time Share Rental
10 Cd Wallet Visor
Pigeon Forge Tn Pet Friendly Hotel Motel
Chicago Loop Radio Station
Cup Game Soccer Times World
Mario Marquez
57 Cafe Jazz West
Fairmount Hotel
Salomon Bags
Auction Auto Ebay Tool
In Orlando Rent Villa
Cheap Apartment Ny
Party Fair Store
Cyclocross Bikes
Goalie Helmet Hockey Paint
1 Bowl Depression Dust Great
Html Developer
Bubble Tea Taiwan
Nebraska Fur Buyer
Rental Tuscany Villa Weekly
Girl Wonder Woman Costume
Gym Home Review Weider
White Pages Reverse Phone Look Up
Jesus Carroza
Celebrity Gallery Male Photo
Arlington County Public Schools
Phonics Reading Programs
Big Mtv Music Rob
Susan Butcher
Child Party In Houston
Gordonii Hoodia Loss Weight
Answer To The Written Test Driving
0 Insurance Major Medical Short Termsbox
06 Beach Bike Daytona Week
Kt152
X Xbox Game Mods
Sca Costumes
025 Gold Jewelry Large Manatee
Club Marriott Share Time Vacation
Job Opening Teen
North Bethesda
Chinese Dress Game Girl Up
2 Back Carpet Cheap Gem Hidden Montauk Room Rug Thrill
Business Career Corporate Finance Hosting In Web
Resistor Color Codes
0870 National Rate
M1 Carbine Magazine
Sports Nutrition Supplements
The next year, in the very first McDonald's Championship to be held in Europe, the Boston Celtics beat Real Madrid 111-96 at the Palacio de Deportes in Madrid, Spain.
Also in 1988, the Atlanta Hawks became the first NBA team to play in the Soviet Union when they defeated the Soviet Georgia All-Stars, 85-84, in a pre-season game.
By the third year, the McDonald's Championship moved to Rome, Italy. This time, the Denver Nuggets represented the NBA against the Spanish Champion F.C. Barcelona, the European Champion Jugoplastika Split, and Philips Milan. The Nuggets beat Barcelona in their tournament opener and went on to edge Jugoplastika Split 135-129 to capture the title.
In 1991 the so-called 'city of lights' was the site for McDonald's Championship. The Los Angeles Lakers went to Paris, France to compete against the host team CSP Limoges, Joventut Badalona and Slobodna Dalmacija Split of the former Yugoslavia. With Magic Johnson taking charge, the Lakers beat CSP Limoges before eking out a win versus Joventut Badalona 116-114 to claim the title.
It was 1993 which saw the first pre-season game between two U.S. pro teams ever played in Europe, the Orlando Magic, led by 14 fourth-quarter points from Dennis Scott, defeated the Atlanta Hawks 120-95 before a sold-out crowd of 9,483 at Wembley Arena in the opening of the two-game NBA London Games series.
In 2003, the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies played an NBA pre-season game in Paris, as part of the NBA Europe Games 2003, in front of a sell-out crowd of 14,480. The NBA Champion Spurs won 105-93 and Spurs player Tony Parker got a standing ovation when he received the MVP in front of his home crowd. After the noted game, the Memphis Grizzlies traveled to Barcelona where they played local team FC Barcelona on October 10. Memphis won the game 91-80 and Spanish native Pau Gasol, former player for FC Barcelona, put his many skills on full display.
Matthew Paolini is a Baton Rouge, LA-based content provider with http://Citybook.com Business Yellow Pages.Chicago Venues Wedding
Kt106
Kt122
Farm Ford Sale Tractor
Bike Black Clip Week
California King Mattress
007 Ringtone
Coupon Footwear Outlet Timberland
Construction Cost In Management Minimize Project
1 Cart Hosting Shopping Web
Brick Face Garden State Stucco
Create Free Program Wedding
John Eller
Satellite Tracking Program
0a Celebrity Christian News
Home Builder In Atlanta
It Job Security
Aruba Hotel And Spa Las Vegas
Picture Of Cartoon Baby Animal
Wholesale Cat Food
Pre Owned Nissan Car Dealer
Disposable Hearing Protection
Canada Hiking Trip
Colorado Birth Injury Lawyer
314 Sinus
Atlantic City Boardwalk Hotel Map
Massage Therapy Schools In Massachusetts
Houston In Pet Shop
Millennium Maxwell House Hotel Nashville
Insurance Settlement Loan
Eve In La New Party Years
Making Money Work A Christian Guide For Personal Finance
Kt3
Party Sheilas World
100 Cotton Dress Shirt
Affiliate Programme
Champion School Of Real Estate Texas
04 House
Bearskin Airlines
Nokia Mobile
Knitted Cat Toy
As Business Business Finance Guide Information Journal Library Marketing Monograph Published Simultaneously Strategic
Cpu Motherboard Bundle
Book Cook Fannie Farmer Recipe
Exhaust Manufacturer
Kt120
Syracuse Ny Hotels
Bank Federal Home Loan Ocwen
Singing Audition And Or Competition
Charlie And Sabrina Mtv True Life
Dc Dance Class
Creative Curriculum For Infant And Toddler
Medical Surgical Nursing Care Manual
Australia Flight Flight
Beginning Yoga Video
39 Bank People S State
Lucchese Boot
Kala Sarpa Yoga
Radisson Hotel Branson Mo
Black Pearl Stud Earring
Bed Breakfast Falls Niagara Ontario
2000 By Florida Owner Rental Villa Villa
Homes For Sale Michigan
All Inclusive Time Share Rental
10 Cd Wallet Visor
Pigeon Forge Tn Pet Friendly Hotel Motel
Chicago Loop Radio Station
Cup Game Soccer Times World
Mario Marquez
57 Cafe Jazz West
Fairmount Hotel
Salomon Bags
Auction Auto Ebay Tool
In Orlando Rent Villa
Cheap Apartment Ny
Party Fair Store
Cyclocross Bikes
Goalie Helmet Hockey Paint
1 Bowl Depression Dust Great
Html Developer
Bubble Tea Taiwan
Nebraska Fur Buyer
Rental Tuscany Villa Weekly
Girl Wonder Woman Costume
Gym Home Review Weider
White Pages Reverse Phone Look Up
Jesus Carroza
Celebrity Gallery Male Photo
Arlington County Public Schools
Phonics Reading Programs
Big Mtv Music Rob
Susan Butcher
Child Party In Houston
Gordonii Hoodia Loss Weight
Answer To The Written Test Driving
0 Insurance Major Medical Short Termsbox
06 Beach Bike Daytona Week
Kt152
X Xbox Game Mods
Sca Costumes
025 Gold Jewelry Large Manatee
Club Marriott Share Time Vacation
Job Opening Teen
North Bethesda
Chinese Dress Game Girl Up
2 Back Carpet Cheap Gem Hidden Montauk Room Rug Thrill
Business Career Corporate Finance Hosting In Web
Resistor Color Codes
0870 National Rate
M1 Carbine Magazine
Sports Nutrition Supplements
