By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Christos Stavropoulos talked to the Greek basketball federation web radio, and one of the main topics of discussion was, of course, the future of European basketball.
The Armani Milan GM admitted that the best solution for the sport in Europe would be a joint effort that will include the EuroLeague and the NBA.
As he said: “The fact that there can be another competition, it’s not prohibitive about anything. The point is that qualitatively, for the basketball ecosystem, the best solution is to have a very good, united competition. I believe that we have a responsibility to the fans to have a clear situation. We are confusing the fans, and the responsibility we have is great. I believe that ultimately both managements, both FIBA and the NBA people, understand that the best solution is to have a collaboration.”
On the other side, EuroLeague is already moving forward with the plan of the 24-team expansion: “We had decided to have 20 teams and the round-robin system for one season. However, we kept it for a second one, but this will definitely be the last. Starting next year, we will have an increase in the number of teams, and the system will be different; there will be conferences. With the new system, some teams will not play twice against each other, but you lose something, and you win something. The Euroleague is the most important European competition with enormous quality.”
Milan is among the target cities of NBA Europe, and that makes the club a key stakeholder in the talks about the shape of the future of European basketball.
This may not have happened without a very important era under coach Ettore Messina and the late owner Giorgio Armani.
Speaking about this turnaround, Stavropoulos explained: “The team’s management had already decided that Pepe Poeta would be the coach. His promotion was accelerated when Messina left after seven years. Ettore Messina took the club to another level, with his methodical approach and experienced thinking. He undoubtedly left the club in a great state, and that will not fade.”
On Giorgio Armani, he added: “We are talking about a fantastic man, who was always close to the team in a very discreet way. He was always close to us; he came to all the home games and sometimes on the road. We never lacked anything as a team. As a personality, we are talking about a charismatic person who was a leader, respected all around the world. He took over the team when it had great difficulties and was about to disappear, and he did it for his love for the club and the city of Milan.”
Make 
Your Preferred Basketball Source.
Add Eurohoops to Google