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The Chicago Bulls won the NBA Paris Game 2023 against the Detroit Pistons, this Thursday, January 19 at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy (126-108). Zach LaVine and Demar DeRozan carried their team to the delight of French and European fans, under the eyes of Tony Parker or Magic Johnson.
From our special correspondent at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy,
This fine, icy rain did not prevent the public who came to attend this NBA meeting between Detroit and Chicago in Paris from patiently waiting for the doors to open, with a smile. The second NBA meeting relocated to the French capital, after that between Milwaukee and Charlotte in 2020, is a new success. More than three hours before the start of the match, two buddies are feverishly waiting for the magical evening to begin.
“Usually, the NBA, we see it at night on television”
« It’s wonderful to be here tells the young Milo, from Lyon. Usually, the NBA, we see it at night on television. And there, we will see it in real life. They are not the two best teams of the season, but it is a historic poster in the NBA. There are superstars like DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine (Chicago), it’s great. And we will also see our compatriot Kilian Hayes (Detroit). He is eagerly awaited tonight “. Nine French players play in the NBA.
« It’s really lucky to be able to come home, to play in front of my family and friends, who haven’t been able to see me play for quite a while. There are thirty teams (from NBA) who could have been chosen, and then they chose ours and the Chicago Bulls, so we have to take advantage of this opportunity “, had commented Killian Hayes earlier this week. ” Let him have fun, it’s his moment, I’m proud of him. His family is there, even his grandmother. He progressed as a player “, advances his coach Dwane Casey about the one who had been drafted in 7th place in 2020. Bulls).
Chicago, one of the favorite teams of basketball fans in France
« For NBA fans, this is an event. There is a real public in France. And even Europe came. I have a preference for Chicago, because I love DeRozan “, says the young Ernest, who broke his piggy bank to attend the meeting. Chicago remains one of the favorite teams of basketball fans in France, thanks in particular to Michael Jordan, who spent 13 seasons with the Bulls. ” Because of the team’s success in France, expectations are very high. As a coach and players, we put pressure on ourselves, and that’s something extraordinary. It means we have fans “comments Chicago coach Billy Donovan.
The North American Basketball League, will be ” probably back in Paris next year “said NBA boss Adam Silver during a round table with some media on Wednesday.
The biggest basketball championship in the world could therefore organize a third event in Paris, the year of the Olympics, in the space of four years, a further sign of its openness to the world.
« 25 years ago teams didn’t want to travel, even for pre-season friendlies “, reminded Adam Silver. “ For the coaches, it was a distraction, it interfered with the regular season. It’s very different now, not least because 25% of League players were born outside the United States. Our best players are Europeans. And I announce to you that we are going to develop this sport on the African continent. »
Developing the French and European market
This new initiative is also part of the NBA’s desire to develop the French market, one of the largest across the Atlantic. ” It is the N.1 country outside of North America that produces the most players in the NBA noted NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum. ” VSt is an exceptional opportunity for players to come here to France, to ensure the promotion of this sport. In France, basketball is very developed and it’s a source of pride to be there, even if we prepared as usual. But we want to show what the NBA is commented Dwane Casey.
The leaders of the NBA indicated this week that a meeting of Dallas should be organized soon in Madrid, the city where the star of the Mavericks, Luka Doncic, became known in Europe, under the jersey of Real. A match in Greece is also planned.
La joie de Demar DeRozan
Since the 2018-2019 season, the trophy for the best regular season player in the NBA has been the prerogative of two Europeans: the Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Serbian Nikola Jokic, rewarded twice each. Before them, the only basketball player from the Old Continent to have been distinguished in this way was the German Dirk Nowitzki, in 2007, a sign of a strong trend in recent years.
« I will remember this game for years. The atmosphere was extraordinary, and above all we played under the eyes of Magic Johnson “Admits Demar DeRozan, gold medalist at the Rio Olympics in 2016. ” It’s great, we played well. There were the fans, our families. I had never imagined coming to play here in Paris. It was worth being here “Concluded Zach LaVine, whose great-grandfather was French, and who wears number 8 as a fan of Kobe Bryant.
