Nets and Raptors to make history in London

The New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors will be making history at London’s O2 Arena tonight as they compete in the NBA’s first regular season games outside of North America.

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The arena in Greenwich has been playing host to NBA pre-season fixtures since 2007 with eight franchises taking to the court in that time.�

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This time it’s not just an exhibition, it’s the real thing. For the New Jersey Nets this will be familiar territory, after they beat the Miami Heat 94-92 in the 2008 pre-season game in London, but for the Toronto Raptors this is a whole new experience.

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The NFL has been hosting regular season games in England’s capital since 2007 and it was only going to be a matter of time until the NBA followed suit.

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Players for both sides are relishing their roles in making history and would like to see more regular season games taking place in London and other parts of Europe.

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The Raptors captain Andrea Bargnani said: “It is a great experience. It’s the first time in the history of the NBA that we play a regular season game in Europe, I’m just glad to be a part of this.

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“For the players it will be a great experience to play in front of a different crowd and in a different city. The O2 is pretty similar to our NBA arenas in the States – there’s not much difference inside the arena but the crowd is going to be different.”

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Along with the question being asked about more regular season games taking place in London and the rest of Europe, there could also be the possibility of a European franchise.

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Brook Lopez, the New Jersey Nets captain gave his thoughts: “I know there has been talk of having a London franchise, but who knows what is going to happen, but for those that support it, this is definitely a step in the right direction.” Lopez added: “Would I sign for a club in Europe? I would sign anywhere if there was a chance of winning.”

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One of the star players who is going to be on show for both games is Olympic gold medallist and NBA all-star Daron Williams, a last minute trade pick for the Nets in February.

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Williams has been picking up the air miles in recent weeks and there were talks of the Nets new star man not being able to play due to injury, but the 26-year-old point guard said he is ready to take part in the games.�

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“I’ve been traded, then to pretty much come right over here, I haven’t really settled into New Jersey yet, but this is great for global basketball,” said Williams. “It’s a step in the right direction as far as bringing a team or franchise over here and it’s been fun.

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“If I get healthy that would mentally help me out because if you can’t shoot it becomes tough – as for these two games against the Raptors in London, I’m playing.”

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A lot of the stars on show over these two nights will be wanting to come back to London for the Olympics where the final of the basketball will be held in the O2.

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And Raptors Spanish international Jose Calderon is looking forward to competing in the 2012 games and would like to see the Team GB basketball side competing.

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“Ahead of the Olympics, myself and the Spanish team are looking to have a good tournament at the EuroBasket and hopefully we will be able to qualify for London 2012,” the 29-year-old said. “There are two great British guys in the NBA in Luol Deng and Ben Gordon and it will be great to see those two playing at the Olympics with Great Britain.”

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