By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
In an interview with L’Equipe, Nicolas Batum leaves the possibility of joining Team France open: “If the NBA allows us to join the games in November, I’ll join!”.
“I have the impression that FIBA is the only organization where we do not have the right to speak. When someone tries to talk, he gets bothered by the authorities.”
Not only that, but he highlights another issue of the windows: “Players will do everything for their team to qualify and, in the end, they will not participate at World Cup! This will create internal conflicts in big federations. If France qualifies with some players and finally decides not to call NBA players for the World Cup, I would find that normal. The NBA has been around for years, it’s always been like that”.
Tony Parker notes that EuroLeague’s position in the matter has been correct: “I find that [the windows] completely ridiculous. For a country like France, it hurts us not to have our best players, either in the NBA or Euroleague. I have always supported the Euroleague, and it is important that it exists. The Euroleague did a great job, it is an economic business that holds up.”
At the same time, he takes a stance against the “windows”: “With its international windows, FIBA makes no effort for the best of European basketball. It’s a pity and disappointing. At some point you have to adapt, you can’t imply the same rules as in football.”
In addition to his comments about EuroLeague’s position, he added his wish for ASVEL to join the competition next season.
In the same interview, Parker mentions an upcoming event in summer 2018 for the celebration of his career, with the participation of Tim Duncan and David Robinson. The festivities are set to take place in Bercy, France.