By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Anthony Parker combines the best of two worlds. A two-time EuroLeague champion with Maccabi Tel Aviv and recently announced member of the All-25 EuroLeague anniversary team, plus a teammate of LeBron James in Cleveland, and the current GM of the Orlando Magic.
That’s why his words to Leigh Ellis about the current situation in Europe and the plans of a new league created by the NBA and FIBA can’t be overlooked.
“It’s the best professional league outside of the NBA”, said Parker without any hesitation, adding: “To see the game grow and the EuroLeague grow and the following and how much attention it gets all over the world now has been great. You go over there and you see the passion of the fans and the rich history of each club and how long these supporters have been supporting them”.
So, what will happen if there’s another league in Europe with an NBA connection? As Parker explained: “My hope is that this just doesn’t go away. Whatever happens with European basketball, I hope that this remains as part of it, because that’s what makes it unique”.
On a personal note, taking a stroll down memory lane, talking about the 2005 prep game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Toronto Raptors.
Parker made the winning shot for Maccabi, and in the summer of 2006, he joined the Raptors, moving to Cleveland in 2009.
“The opportunity to come back and play against an NBA team was great”, he said, as his Israeli team was back then the EuroLeague champions.”We were very rarely the underdog in a lot of games. So it was a challenge, and we were excited for that opportunity. And it was fun because we won. So it’s fun to look back”.
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