The Spurs have landed in Paris! Bonjour!

It seems the NBA is doing more than just having fun exhibition games though….

In today’s newsletter we’ll go deep into my hot take on the NBA Europe Expansion, and our recent game against Milano (and why it’s more than just a win). Hope you enjoy!

NBA Europe Expansion 🏀

Why is the NBA Paris Games a big deal in the context of the NBA Europe expansion rumors… Let me share my take.

So first, French Basketball. France has a long and successful basketball tradition, producing top-tier talent such as Tony Parker, Rudy Gobert, Boris Diaw, and most recently Victor Wembanyama.

Probably one of the most hyped prospects in NBA history. His global appeal and connection to France give the NBA a huge opportunity to attract French and European audiences.  

France has also been a powerhouse in international basketball, often competing at the highest level in the Olympics, getting the silver medal in 2024 and 2020.

And it makes total sense. Basketball is one of the most played sports among French youth, ranking alongside soccer as a popular choice and the French basketball league is one of the strongest growing markets in Europe, serving as a natural feeder to the NBA and strengthening the basketball ecosystem. The top 2 draft picks last year were French (Zaccharie Risacher. and Alex Sarr).

Now where I think it gets a lot more interesting, is when you layer on the recent conversations about the NBA Europe expansion. Which teams have already expressed interest in joining NBA Europe if it happens? Paris and Asvel.  

Now what do I think about the NBA Europe Expansion? 

I think Euroleague has a lot of work to do. Recently Saras said something about the Euroleague getting in it’s own way, and I think he’s probably right.

Where the NBA has always been about ENTERTAINMENT and marketing their top assets (ie. the players) in every opportunity possible, Euroleague has been more rooted in the Sports tradition and the purity of the sport. The fans are a BIG difference maker for me, and there the NBA simply cannot compete. BUT the teams and the NBA as an organization is insanely profitable. At some point, money talks.

The teams that do have a Euroleague license, maybe they are not as easy to sway over, and some teams like Panathinaikos have already expressed publicly they would not move over. But if the NBA can promise a more commercially viable league, where players, teams and sponsors can make way more money, meaning better facilities, better broadcasts, better fan experiences etc…. I think it will be tough to sit around and watch. 

But Paris, Red Star, Partizan, Berlin, Bayern Munich…these are big clubs with big fan bases who do NOT have a Euroleague license. 

I do think that competition amongst leagues helps create the best product for the players and the fans in the end. Golf is a good example.

When the Saudi-funded organization came on to the stage, it caused a huge uproar, and players had to make choices about whether they’d take better pay and leave the existing league, or stay with the established organization. Ultimately, both organizations helped Golf as a sport become the best version of itself, by challenging the status quo.

Let’s see if money talks or how things shake up. But it’s no surprise it’s all happening in France and the conversation around NBA Europe expansion is coming to life at a similar time.

A MUCH NEEDED WIN🏀

Our last game was against a crippled Milano team at home, with Nikola Mirotic and some other key players out.

It was a blowout, with us 44 ahead at the end of the game. We played well for sure, with seven players from Efes scoring double digits. Rodrigue Beaubois leading the way with 18 and Jordan Nwora followed with 15.

And we really needed the win.

We hadn’t won with our new coach, and were on a 5 game losing streak (in Euroleague, and had lost even some Turkish league matches). It was unacceptable and not a reflection of the caliber of team we have.

Sometimes a victory can be a rallying cry. A momentum swing that can carry over to the next games. Wind in our sails.

The score isn’t important, the feeling and the comradery shared from the victory is what we need to remember and push onwards with.

Next up: Olympiacos.

Q&A ❓

Giannis asked on Playbook…

The key here is to have a system that you follow regardless of results. For example, and after game routine like stretching, eating a specific meal or snack, and then watching a show on Netflix to wind down.

Do the same thing that doesn’t change based on your performance.

When we’re low in life (Basketball or otherwise), we have a tendency to search for dopamine hits.

Sometimes guys will scroll on social media to feel better. Sometimes they will watch Porn (yes, I said Porn, stop doing that. It’s making you less discplined). Sometimes they will overindulge in sugar or something worse (alcohol, etc).

For me, I tend to crave ice cream or junk food to feel better. And sometimes I do have a little bit, but it’s always in moderation and with the knowledge that this is outside my routine.

If you are stressed and can't seem to shake it, write in your journal on what your feeling and write how you will fix it. I call this problem solving.

Its ok to feel the emotions of high and low because they are arrows pointing you in the direction you need to go, especially after a bad game.

And it’s not just bad times. Also after a good game it can be hard to stay in your systems. The minute you think you are too good to do your extra shots or you are healthy enough… this is the minute you will start to lose your systems and your good routine that got you there in the first place.

So in short, stay consistent to your systems and don’t seek quick dopamine hits.

🚨Want to see your question answered above? Reply to the newsletter or reach out to me on social. I will group all the questions together and be answering them on the newsletter and vlog in the coming weeks. Cheers!🚨

YouTube Journey▶

This week on the vlog, I go through our Fenerbahce (Istanbul Derby Rival) gameday routine but also used this as a chance to speak about Rivalries as a whole, and how different they are than in the NBA. Coming from the US, Sports are seen more as ENTERTAINMENT FIRST. In Europe, it is almost a religion. It is much deeper and more passionate than simply ‘entertainment’. The fans are something else in Europe.

Check it out below and let me know what you think about the video content we’re putting out!

Moment of Reflection 🙏

Living in Turkey, we try to keep up with the news both here and back home, and it struck me reading headlines in both places about fires…

Fires in Serbia, Fires in Turkey… Fires back home in LA. It’s hard to stay positive when we read the news.

I just wanted to say, my heart goes out to all the families and those affected by the fires.

In times of crisis, I think it’s especially important for us as humans to recognize we have the ability to help others, and look for ways, even the smallest, to try to make a positive difference in our world.

Open yourself up to serve others, and help the world be a better place. We will likely all need a hand at some point in life.

Thank you for grabbing your Playbook 🙏

I hope you like the new version of Playbook. If you have comments or questions or suggestions, PLEASE respond to the newsletter about anything. I want to hear from you and I promise, I read every response. My goal is to continue making a great Playbook and building a great community where we all get better together. And you’re a part of that journey!

Let’s Build Confidence + Consistency™ , on and off the court!

Elijah