By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA is looking at options for outdoor games, NBA Executive Vice President Evan Wasch said on the podcast The Crossover.
“The biggest concern is the basketball one you highlight, that whether it’s blacktop and injury concerns or a wooden court outside with humidity concerns and moisture that can get on the court, being beholden to rain, all of those of things become a consideration,” explained Wasch, relays NBC Sports.
Other North American major sports leagues have found success in outdoor games added to the annual schedule. The NHL has constantly included outdoor games, Winter Classic, Heritage Classic, Stadium Series, for more than a decade, while MLB recently introducing the Field of Dreams game is another fitting example.
“We’ve explored it, and we’ll continue to talk about it,” added Wasch, “Obviously, the ‘Field of Dreams’ game was incredibly successful. So, no surprise it has sparked some discussions, and it’s worth exploring. But the logistical challenges of a basketball game outside are just significantly more than a baseball game, which, of course, is already outside.”
Four NBA preseason games have actually been organized in outdoor venues. Back in 1972, the Phoenix Suns meeting the Milwaukee Bucks in a baseball park in Puerto Rico marked the first occasion. Nearly four decades later, the Suns returned the experiment facing the Denver Nuggets in 2008, and from there went on versus the Golden State Warriors in 2009 and the Dallas Mavericks in 2010. The three modern era games were held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
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