Noticiero El Big Picture del Deporte: Yahoo Sports, Sports are usually an escape, but now we must settle into a life without them

In times of trouble, in times of terrorism, in times of uncertainty, there have always been sports. There to distract. There to inspire. There to rally. 

There. Always.

Just not now, it seems.

• March Madness is canceled. The NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball are suspended. Even high school and youth tournaments have been halted or canceled. 
• Presently, there isn’t much left. NASCAR will rev its engines in Atlanta. That’s about it. The sport may boom in popularity. 
• These are unprecedented times in America, in all of the world. The routines of life have been altered. A measure of consistency, of familiarity, of shared calm really could have helped. A sign that somewhere normalcy still ruled. 
• We’ve gotten through a lot before. This time, we’ll have to get through it without sports. At least for now.

References: 

Yahoo Sports, Sports are usually an escape, but now we must settle into a life without them, Dan Wetzel, Mar 12, 2020.

Noticiero El Big Picture del Deporte: ESPN, Golden State Warriors prepare for Stephen Curry's return to the floor next month

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he doesn't see the argument from some that Curry shouldn't return this season. "He's perfectly healthy," Kerr said Wednesday. "He's in the prime of his career. As soon as he's ready, he's coming back. Our fans deserve it. We need it as a team to springboard into next year, and it's the right thing to do."

NBA, Steve Kerr provides an update on Steph Curry's return to the court for the Warriors | NBA Sound

• Kerr reiterated that he felt it was key for Curry, 31, to play with several younger teammates, including new addition Andrew Wiggins, in advance of next season. 
• "He's playing. He's almost healthy, he's almost ready, so he's playing. No discussion. He doesn't need to convince me of anything."
• "To me, it's been one of the things that's been missing from our practices this year, the individual workouts of Steph, Klay and Kevin [Durant]," Kerr said. "The last few years post-practice, it's like a clinic. It's a clinic for younger players -- how you have to conduct yourself as an NBA player. The work that you put in once practice is over is really the bar for how good you want to become and how serious you're taking this. And Steph, I've never seen anybody work harder than Steph in his post-practice workouts. And so now we're seeing that, all the younger guys are looking over there and they're seeing him. And they're seeing what he goes through, what he does, and it's beautiful to watch. So I think our team is getting a bounce from that, a bounce of energy and a reminder that better days are ahead." 

References: 

ESPN, Warriors never considered sitting Stephen Curry for rest of season, Nick Friedell, Feb. 20, 2020. 

Complementary Content:

LetsGoWarriors, Stephen Curry & Draymond 💦 workout at Warriors practice, 2 days before Houston Rockets, Feb 18, 2020.

NBA, Stephen Curry's Best Plays Of The Decade, Jan 3, 2020.

Noticiero El Big Picture del Deporte: MSN, Boston Globe, Elam Ending revitalizes NBA All-Star Game

House of Highlights, 2020 NBA All-Star Game - Full Game Highlights - Team LeBron vs Team Giannis - February 16, 2020

The best game in years capped a sparkling All-Star Weekend that served as a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant (24 was one of his uniform numbers and the target fourth quarter score). After years of players approaching the game not to get hurt and pull off a couple of acrobatic plays, the All-Star Game resembled a playoff game, with players vigorously arguing calls, challenging each other defensively, and making the extra pass instead of the showboating play. The result was one of the more exciting All-Star Games in decades and it’s almost a certainty the NBA will stick with this new format. 

• The league devised a new game format, with each team playing to win quarters and then an untimed fourth period with the winning team needing to add 24 points to its combined score for three quarters.
• With Team Giannis leading by 9 points after their first three quarter scores were a combined 133, the target score became 157. And Team Giannis and Team LeBron played as physical and defensive-themed fourth quarter that brought shades of All-Star Games from the 1980s and ’90s.
• Anthony Davis of Team LeBron sealed the game with a free throw for a 157-155 win. While the ending with a free throw was anticlimactic, the passionate play that led up that conclusion was the storyline.

References:

MSN, Boston Globe, Elam Ending revitalizes NBA All-Star Game, Gary Washburn Globe Staff, Updated February 17, 2020, 1:32 a.m.

Noticiero El Big Picture del Deporte: Media, Lakers defeat Denver in playoffs mode

ESPN, LeBron James says Lakers 'can't worry' about playoff seeding, Dave McMenamin, Feb. 13, 2020.

Maybe James didn't need to say anything to let his team know the significance of Wednesday's game. Several of his teammates noted his serious tone in the pregame locker room as he suited up 80 minutes before tipoff -- far earlier than usual -- to show his level of preparedness. James went on to lead L.A. with 32 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds to notch his 12th triple-double of the season and keep pace with Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks for the league lead. It was James' 20th triple-double since he joined the Lakers, making him just the fourth player in team history to record that many, joining Magic Johnson, Elgin Baylor and Kobe Bryant, according to research by the Elias Sports Bureau.

• Davis had one of his best games as a Laker on Wednesday, single-handedly outscoring the Nuggets 7-5 in overtime en route to a final line of 33 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals.
• He said the Lakers reclaimed their edge before the layoff, and they did so in what several players described in the postgame locker room as a "playoff atmosphere."
• The Lakers are 10-5 against teams with better than .500 records, including 2-1 against the Nuggets, with both wins coming at the Pepsi Center and the loss occurring in a game James sat out.

NBA, James' triple double, Davis lead Lakers past Nuggets 120-116, Arnie Stapleton, Feb. 13, 2020. 

LeBron James wasn't about to coast into the All-Star break, and neither was Anthony Davis. ''I could tell they were locked in pregame. LeBron had his jersey with like 80 minutes to go before the game,'' guard Alex Caruso said after the Los Angeles Lakers' 120-116 overtime triumph in Denver on Wednesday night. 

• James posted his 12th triple-double of the season, tied with Luka Doncic for the NBA lead, and Davis scored seven of his 33 points in overtime as the Western Conference leaders took a 41-12 record and a four-game lead over second-place Denver into the All-Star break. 
• The Nuggets were the hottest team in the league, having won six of seven, including short-handed stunners at Milwaukee and Utah. 
• So, James, who had 32 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds, saw this as playoff prep.
  ''Every opportunity we get to play in a close game against a tough opponent, it's a learning experience for all of us,'' he said. ''It prepares us for a postseason game where it's going to be back and forth, back and forth. I thought tonight was a playoff atmosphere for both teams, being No. 1 and No. 2 in the Western Conference, jockeying for position. We were just trying to make plays whatever it takes. And A.D. was there knocking down big 3s and getting a block and getting some stops, the jump ball, as well. It was big time.''

Noticiero El Big Picture del Deporte: USA Today Sports, A remarkable deal for the Miami Heat

Credit Andy Elisburg for the execution and Pat Riley for the vision. It is a remarkable deal for the Heat. They traded three players (Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters and James Johnson) who were no longer part of their long-term plans, lowered salary, created salary cap space, didn’t give up any draft picks and gained Iguodala. Even if the Heat don’t reach the Finals this season, they are positioned to compete in the Eastern Conference for the next few seasons. 

• Riley, and his trusted, smart and creative general manager Andy Elisburg see an accelerated window to compete for a title so they acquired Andre Iguodala from Memphis in a deal that adds a proven veteran with championship experience and a mindset that fits Miami’s culture.
• The Heat are better than expected sooner than expected because of the emergence of Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson and rookies Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn, alongside All-Star Jimmy Butler.

Pat Riley has nothing left to prove.

He won an NBA championship as a player (1972), a coach (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2006) and an executive (2006, 2012, 2013) and was coach of the year three times and executive of the year once. It’s a resume that has him enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Loud and clear now: Pat Riley still has something to prove.

He wants to win another championship, in another decade and era of the NBA, post-LeBron James-Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh Heat. Even at 74, the desire to win remains as strong as ever for Riley. If one thought Butler’s passion to win would disrupt the team, a person with the Heat organization laughed at that. No one is bothered more by losing than Riley, the person told USA TODAY Sports. 

References: 

USA Today Sports, Opinion: Pat Riley's next NBA title may come sooner, thanks to Andre Iguodala trade, Jeff Zillgitt, Feb. 7, 2020.

Noticiero El Big Picture del Deporte: ESPN, Kawhi Leonard preaches patience to Clippers, says, 'Have fun'

After helping the Clippers temporarily bust out of their recent funk and make quick work of the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 128-103 rout, Leonard's mind seemed to be on winning a championship and reminding his teammates just how hard it is to get to the end of June and hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

NBA, CAVALIERS at CLIPPERS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | January 14, 2020

• Kawhi Leonard reached the halfway point of the season for the LA Clippers with his most explosive game, scoring 43 points in just under 29 minutes Tuesday night at Staples Center.
• Leonard repeatedly talked about how the Clippers (28-13) need to slow down and not be in a hurry to get to where they hope to be.
• It certainly will be a lot easier for Doc Rivers and the Clippers when Leonard is feeling this way. Leonard said he was getting stronger with his health trending up of late, and he provided the Cavaliers proof of that.
• Leonard knows how much more there is to go to reach the NBA Finals after his long title run with the Toronto Raptors last season.
• "It takes a whole team to win games, win championships," Leonard said of six Clippers scoring in double figures and opening things up for him on Tuesday. "It's not won by one guy [or] two players -- it's the whole 15."

References:

ESPN, Kawhi Leonard preaches patience to Clippers, says, 'Have fun', Ohm Youngmisuk, Jan. 15, 2020.

Noticiero El Big Picture del Deporte: Media, LeBron James passes Michael Jordan in career field goals

NBA, LeBron James passes Michael Jordan in career field goals, NBA.com Staff, Jan 11, 2020. 

In Year 17, LeBron James continues claiming higher ground in the NBA record books. Friday night, a spinning, third-quarter layup marked the 12,193rd field goal of his career -- moving James into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time leaderboard, just ahead of Michael Jordan.

• James finished the game with 35 points -- shooting 14-for-25 overall -- while also tallying 16 rebounds and 7 assists. The Lakers easily beat the Mavericks, 129-114, at Staples Center.

ESPN, LeBron James achieves a career-first in Lakers vs. Mavericks matchup | 2019-20 NBA Highlights, Jan 11, 2020.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James puts up 35 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists in the team’s 129-114 win over the Dallas Mavericks. This is the first game in LeBron’s career where he records at least 35 points and at least 15 boards in a game.

ESPN, LeBron James: Luka Doncic's skill is well beyond his age | NBA Sound, Jan 11, 2020.

LeBron James addresses the media after the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Dallas Mavericks 129-114. James says the key to the Lakers' seven-game win streak is getting better every game, especially on the defensive end. James says his legacy speaks for itself, but it is great to pass Michael Jordan in career field goals made. LeBron gives high praise to Luka Doncic as he says his skills are great for being only 20 years old.

Noticiero El Big Picture del Deporte: ESPN, How the NBA's race for the 2-seed in the East playoffs will be decided

While the Milwaukee Bucks have put some distance between themselves and the rest of the Eastern Conference, there's still a significant playoff race to watch near the top. Approaching the midpoint of the season, the next five teams are separated by just 4.5 games, with 18 games left on the schedule that pit two of those teams against each other.

All projections via ESPN's Basketball Power Index (BPI)

Miami Heat

Projected record: 55-27
Projected seed: No. 2 (38.8% likelihood)
Record against other four teams: 6-2

Present and future outlook: The Heat are back. Miami has reestablished its identity as a hard-nosed team full of grinders surrounding a couple of tentpole stars now that Adebayo has emerged as one of the best young centers in the league. That alone makes this season a success.

Boston Celtics

Projected record: 55-27
Projected seed: No. 3 (27.0% likelihood)
Record against other four teams: 3-4

Present and future outlook: This Celtics team has made a remarkable turnaround from last season's disappointment, making a case for the value of team chemistry. That alone has this season feeling like a success.

Toronto Raptors

Projected record: 54-28
Projected seed: No. 4 (29.0% likelihood)
Record against other four teams: 2-6

Present and future outlook: The Raptors entered the season as defending champions but without any expectations of a repeat, due to Leonard's departure. Yet Toronto has played like a team with a point to prove. The next four weeks will reveal whether the Raptors are still in win-now mode.

Philadelphia 76ers

Projected record: 52-30
Projected seed: No. 5 (38.6% likelihood)
Record against other four teams: 5-4

Present and future outlook: The up-and-down nature of this season has made it hard at times to remember what this team can be when it is healthy and engaged. And the Sixers' lack of consistency could leave them in an undesirable position come April, as Philadelphia could find itself starting every playoff round on the road.

Indiana Pacers

Projected record: 47-35
Projected seed: No. 6 (70.8% likelihood)
Record against other four teams: 3-3

Present and future outlook: A healthy Oladipo might be the biggest addition any of these teams will make in the next four weeks. If he can return to form, Indiana can make a run. Regardless, the Pacers have shown they will, at the very least, be a tough out for the team that gets matched up with them in Round 1.

References: 

ESPN, How the NBA's race for the 2-seed in the East playoffs will be decided, Tim Bontemps, Jan. 9, 2020.

Opinión: David Stern nos demostró que un dirigente deportivo puede disparar el crecimiento global de una industria deportiva

Lo que hizo David Stern por la NBA (National Basketball Association) es maravilloso. David Stern fue una súper estrella como dirigente líder ("commissioner" o comisionado) de la NBA de 1984 a  2014. Tuvo que navegar en aguas extraordinariamente tumultuosas. Su legado es fabuloso. Convirtió la industria deportiva de la NBA que estaba en dificultades económicas al inicio de su liderazgo en una multi-billonaria (en dólares) con alcance global. Los jugadores y los equipos de la NBA crecieron integralmente en forma excepcional durante su dirigencia. 

Forbes, Legendary NBA Commissioner David Stern Dies At 77, Tommy Beer, Jan 1, 2020.

When discussing the NBA's remarkable growth over the last four decades, it's nearly impossible to overstate Stern's impact. His fingerprints are all over the league's incredible economic expansion and dramatic rise in popularity. 

• Pro Basketball languished a distant third in popularity (and income generated) behind the NFL and MLB in the early 1980s. The NBA brought in less than $25 million annually in network revenue.
• On October 6, 2014 (less than eight months after Stern stepped down), the league announced a nine-year extension with ESPN, ABC and Turner Sports beginning with the 2016–17 season and running through the 2024–25 season. The new deal was worth a reported $24.3 billion ($2.7 billion annually). That represented a nearly 200% increase from the prior level of $930 million. It's considered the second most expensive media rights deal in the world, trailing only the NFL. According to Sports Business Daily, ESPN will pay $1.4 billion and Turner Sports $1.2 billion.
• Per the New York Times, "By the time Mr. Stern ceded his title to Adam Silver in 2014, the NBA had opened offices in 15 cities outside the United States and signed agreements to televise games in more than 200 countries, in more than 40 languages."

The New York Times, David Stern, Transformative N.B.A. Commissioner, Dies at 77, Marc Stein, Jan. 1, 2020 

His marketing vision turned the world’s premier professional basketball league into a global brand with its biggest stars as its ambassadors. 

• David Stern, who during a 30-year run as commissioner of the National Basketball Association masterminded its transformation from a league in peril to a multibillion-dollar industry and the first American sports league to thrive internationally, died on Wednesday in Manhattan. He was 77.

ESPN, David Stern always had the NBA’s best interests at heart – Stephen A. Smith | SC with SVP, Jan. 1, 2020

The Washington Post, Behind the NBA’s soaring success was David Stern’s fighting spirit, Ben Golliver, Jan. 1, 2020.

Stern fought and fought and fought, delivering wrath with piercing media comments and expensive sanctions. Fame was no inoculant. He fined Jordan for wearing shoes that violated the league’s dress code. He fined legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich for daring to rest his players for a nationally televised game. He fined Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban at least 20 times, including six-figure punishments for blogging about officials and sitting on the baseline during a game.

• Stern will be remembered as a relentless, uncompromising leader during his 30-year tenure, a lawyer whose marketing instincts helped the NBA ride Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan — and later Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James — to new heights of global popularity. At every stop, there were confrontations.
• The NBA’s explosive growth since Stern took over in 1984 is a tidy narrative: The Portland Trail Blazers, as just one example, were sold for $70 million in 1988 and are now valued at $1.6 billion. Yet talk of Stern’s legacy must include the bumps and bruises, the pugnacious spirit that led critics to label him as a “bully” and a “dictator.”
• Remember, these targets were the NBA’s crème de la crème. Jordan: the most popular and marketable modern player, a six-time champion whose banned shoes turned into a billion-dollar business. Popovich: perhaps the most respected modern coach, a five-time champion whose organization has pioneered everything from international scouting to efficient shot distribution. And Cuban: a tech billionaire whose over-the-top investments in his organization led to the 2011 title and helped raise the bar for modern owners.

USA Today, LeBron James on David Stern: ‘He definitely should have something named after him’, Mark Medina, Jan. 2, 2020. 

LeBron James suspected NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the league office will brainstorm ideas soon. After all, James argued that Stern and Dr. James Naismith “are two of the most important people for the game of basketball.” The reason? Naismith invented the game in 1891. During Stern’s time as NBA commissioner (1984-2014), he salvaged a league previously ravaged by drug use, poor TV ratings and declining revenue.

• He then turned the league into a global empire. Stern played a large part in the NBA morphing from a league that showed the NBA Finals on tape delay into one that has a multi-billion television deal.
• "You got to give him so much credit,” James said, for the NBA broadcasting its games in more than 200 countries. That’s because Stern placed a heavy emphasis on marketing the league’s superstars.
• “It was a dream come true to step up on that stage and shake David’s hand knowing where I come from,” James said. “I remember that handshake. I remember him giving me that hat and I remember that handshake. I will never, ever forget that.”
• “We had our battles,” James said. “We also understood that we wanted to do whatever it takes to help grow the game, and that was the one common goal on both sides. So even though we had our differences at times at the round table, there was one common thing that we all left that room. We were saying, ‘How can we continue to build this game, and expand this game to where it is today?’”
• Because he considered Stern a “great visionary” in finding answers to that question, James thinks Stern is the greatest commissioner in all of professional sports.
  "His legacy will live on forever.”

Google, David Stern search, Jan 1, 2020.

Marca, David Stern, el verdadero arquitecto de la actual NBA, Jorge Quiroga, Enero 2 2020.

A finales de los años 70 y principios de los 80, la NBA languidecía. Se encontraba sumida en una profunda crisis que amenazaba su frágil estabilidad. Escándalos de drogas y serios problemas financieros hacían huir a los aficionados hacia otras ligas y otros deportes, mientras que la NBA veía peligrar su futuro... 

• Las drogas eran un problema que la propia Liga había admitido y Stern consiguió erradicarlas. El límite salarial creó un sistema de sueldos-ganancias en el que propietarios y jugadores se convertían en socios. Frenó la crisis económica y le dio a la Liga un pulmón con el que respirar. Ambas decisiones, cruciales para la NBA, le catapultaron hasta el puesto que ocupó en 2014 y desde el que dirigió una expansión como no ha habido otra en el deporte y, quizá, en el mundo empresarial.
• De la mano de Stern, la NBA vivió su etapa de mayor esplendor. Tras comprobar que Magic, Bird y Jordan elevaban la popularidad de la Liga, lideró el proyecto más ambicioso: La globalización. Y parió otro gran logro, el Dream Team en Barcelona 92 que cambió el baloncesto para siempre.
• Bajo su mandato, la NBA logró elevar sus ingresos casi en 40 veces, el salario medio de los jugadores pasó de 250.000 dólares al año en 1984 a más de 5 millones de dólares, y el valor de las franquicias se disparó al superar una gran mayoría los 1.000 millones de dólares. Promocionó el All Star hasta convertirlo en un fiesta mundial, expandió la Liga en siete equipos más y gestionó seis cambios de franquicias. Y abrió 13 oficinas en todo el mundo como prueba del crecimiento de la Liga. Y hasta fundó la WNBA (la NBA femenina) en 1997.

USA Today Sports, 5 ways Stern helped shape the NBA, Jeff Zillgitt, Jan. 2, 2020.

David Stern, the former NBA commissioner who died Wednesday, helped shape the league into the $8 billion business it is today. It wasn’t easy. Stern faced many on- and off-court crises, but through those problems, he had a vision for the NBA that transcended any issue, turning the league into a global behemoth that seemed impossible when Stern was the league’s general counsel in the early 1980s.

We take a look at five ways Stern altered the NBA

1. TV/viewership growth. He reached deals with multiple TV networks and introduced League Pass, where almost every game is available to watch online, on a mobile phone or TV around the world, reaching millions and millions of fans. There is regular NBA content on TV, beyond games, on ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV.
2. Global vision. Stern was intent on bringing the NBA to the world. Getting NBA players into the 1992 Barcelona Olympics is a seminal moment. The world saw NBA talent and young international players were inspired. There were 108 international players on NBA rosters at the start of this season compared to 24 in 1994-95. Last season’s MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, was born in Nigeria, moved to Greece with his family and became a star in the NBA.
3. Player marketing. Stern was a lawyer by trade but also a masterful marketer. He understood that the players were recognizable and had wonderful stories to tell. It also helped that two of the league’s best players on two of the league’s best teams when Stern took over were also two of the most marketable: Earvin Johnson with the Los Angeles Lakers and Larry Bird with the Boston Celtics.
   Then, Michael Jordan reached the NBA. Not only was Jordan talented, he was the perfect endorser for sports drinks, sports apparel, sports gear, cereal, soft drinks, fast-food, car companies, hot dogs and movies.
   LeBron James has taken it to the next level with endorsement, investment, ownership and media opportunities. Forbes estimates that James makes nearly $53 million a year from off-court business deals.
4. Social responsibility. Stern wanted the league, its teams and players to profit. But he also believed they shared a responsibility to help others. The NBA/WNBA Cares programs are impossible to quantify, but players and league and team employees spend hours and hours in philanthropic endeavors large and small.
5. Handing the keys to Adam Silver. Any league faces a transition when a long-time commissioner steps aside, and Stern had the foresight to make that transition as easy as possible by making sure the next person in charge had a firm understanding of the league.
   NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, whose father Edward worked with Stern at a New York City law firm, joined the NBA in 1992 and worked his way up through the entertainment and business sides. He took an active role in the 2011 NBA lockout and was ready for the top job by 2014.
   Silver negotiated a nine-year, $24 billion TV deal. He also helped the value of franchises grow to where the expected average valuation for each NBA team is expected to reach $2 billion, according to Forbes.
   Silver has also managed crises, including the Donald Sterling situation, and he had a master class in crisis management under Stern.

For the Win, The 10 things that will define David Stern’s legacy, Charles Curtis, Jan. 2, 2020.

Michael Jordan may have been mostly responsible for the exploding popularity of the NBA in the 1990s. But even Jordan summed it up perfectly with the opening words of his statement in tribute to the late league commissioner David Stern, who died on Wednesday at 77 years old after suffering a brain hemorrhage last month. “Without David Stern,” Jordan said, “the NBA would not be what it is today.”

• That’s pretty much it. Stern was the engine that drove the popularity and growth that made the NBA the most beloved league in the United States (don’t give me the NFL, you may enjoy the game, but it’s marred by so much controversy) and an international hit.
• If you take away anything from Stern’s legacy, it’s these 10 things, even though the list could be at least three times as long.
  1. The understanding that the NBA was players first
  2. International growth
  3. The salary cap
  4. The draft lottery
  5. The Dream Team
  6. Handling labor strife
  7. The dress code
  8. The way he handled controversy
  9. The Chris Paul trade
  10. The rules that ushered in the new NBA

Business: NBA, NBA doubles down on Mexico's potential with G League team

The NBA announced that Mexican professional club Capitanes will join the NBA G League in 2020-21. Commissioner Adam Silver: “I think it’s an important signal to the market just how important we view the entire country of Mexico and all of Latin America”.

• Llamas, Silver and several key figures from both sides want to strengthen Mexico’s ability to produce, and not just receive, NBA talent. As revolutionary as the G League announcement is, they recognize the native talent must be recognized and treasured long before the professional playing age.
• “We are looking for talent, that’s for sure,” said NBA Mexico VP and Managing Director Raul Zarraga. “This G League team is part of this basketball ecosystem that we are building around the nation. Now we are creating an alternative for them so in the future they can see themselves living basketball and perhaps playing in the NBA.”
• The league stands waiting and ready for Mexico’s next wave of talent.

Luka Doncic and Ricky Rubio represent the most recognizable Spanish-speaking NBA players in Mexico City this week. They also hail from countries that were not always synonymous with basketball, but that have recently become international powerhouses.

• Doncic helped lead Slovenia to an unexpected 2017 Eurobasket Gold Medal. Rubio’s Spanish national teams boast two Eurobasket golds, two Olympic medals and the 2019 FIBA World Cup gold medal.
• This begets the question: if Slovenia (a country with just one million people) and Spain (overwhelmingly inclined to soccer) can produce golden eras of basketball, why not Mexico?
• “What is our dream? To bring another Mexican to the NBA, of course, very soon,” decalred Capitanes co-owner Gilberto Hernandez.

NBA Academy Latin America will play a vital role in generating that movement. The basketball training program, backed by the NBA and the Mexican government, develops talent from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central American and South America.

• The academy projects to be a destination for top-tier young prospects, similar to many such institutions in Europe that helped develop Doncic and other European talents that moved on to the NBA.
• “This is the next step in this market,” Silver said. “We’re learning we need to be on the ground, we need to be local, we need to get basketballs in the hands of young boys and girls. We need to work particularly with the elite players.”

References:

NBA, NBA doubles down on Mexico's potential with G League team, Matt Petersen, NBA.com
Dec 13, 2019. 

#NBAMexicoCityGames
MAVERICKS at PISTONS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | December 12, 2019

Luka Doncic EXPLODED for a 41-PT, 12-REB, 11-AST triple-double as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Detroit Pistons 122-111 to open #NBAMexicoCityGames 2019. Seth Curry scored 30 PTS (18 in the 2Q), and added 7 REB. 4 AST and 2 STL. Andre Drummond put up 23 PTS, 15 REB and 3 STL for Detroit.

The Big Picture of Sport News: Total Sportek, 25 World’s Most Popular Sports (Ranked by 13 factors)

Sports journalists have been facing this conundrum of ranking sports for some time now.  For ranking any sport’s popularity it is imperative that we set the criteria for ranking first. For us (Total Sportek) TV viewership isn’t the only criteria for a sports popularity rather it should be the number of other factors combined to get the best popularity ranking.

• These are the factors we consider in ranking the top 25 sports in the world. So lets begin our countdown for the biggest, most popular sports in the World.
• CRITERIA USED.
1. Global base & audience
2. TV  Viewership numbers
3. Number Professional leagues around the world
4. TV rights deals
5. Endorsement & Sponsorship deals
6. Average athlete salary in top league
7. Biggest competition & (number of countries represented)
8. Social media presence
9. Prominence in sports headlines on media outlets (websites, tv)
10. Relevancy through the year
11. Regional dominance
12. Gender equality
13. Accessible to general public worldwide

#1. Football/Soccer

With over 4 billion followers of football, it is by far the most popular sport in the world. Football is one of the most accessible sport in the world and there is hardly anyone in this world who has not kick a ball at some point in their life. Football dominate sports headlines in some of the major countries in the world including almost all European nations like United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain etc. In South America football is more than just a game, it represent dreams and joy for kids in Brazil, Argentina and other latin countries.

Most watched competition in the world: Football World Cup is by far the most watched sports competition in the world. 3.9 billion people tune in at some point during the FIFA World Cup 2014 making it by far the biggest sport competition. While the final of 2014 world cup was watched by as many 700 million people all around the globe.

Highest paying sports competitions: $1.5 Billion is awarded in prize money and bonuses every year in UEFA Champions league, which is the european elite club competition where clubs from 54 countries participate. in fact four of the top 5 competitions with highest prize money are football events (Champions League, FIFA World Cup, Europa League, UEFA Euro).

Most expensive sports TV rights deal: English Premier League (English top football division) is the most watched professional sport league in the world. it broadcast in 212 territories across the world with over 5 billion viewer tuning in to live action at some point every season. SkySports and BT Sports paid over £5.3 billion to get premier league rights in the UK for three years while another £3 billion will be generated from international rights.

Highest Paid Athletes: Top players like Ronaldo and Messi are paid around £300,000 a week in salary by their respective clubs while Ronaldo and Messi also feature in the top 5 of the most endorsed athletes in the world.

Richest Sports Teams: If we talk about the richest sports team in the world, around 30 clubs feature in the top 50 list of most valuable sports teams.

#2. Basketball

Basketball has over 1 billion followers. Its a major sport in USA with NBA generating over $4.75 billion a year in revenue. Established Professional leagues in Spain, Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, Argentina, China and more leagues getting setup every year makes it the fastest growing sport in the world.

Third most powerful sports league in the world: NBA (American basketball league) is the third biggest professional league in all sports behind NFL (American football) and Premier League (Football/Soccer) in terms of revenue over $4.75 billion was generated in 2014 in terms of revenue.

Highest Average Salary: NBA average yearly salary for athlete is around $4.4 million a year, thats second highest average wage of any sport league in the world. While top 40 players in NBA earn more than $13 million a year in salary while top 10 earn more than $22 million a year with Kobe Bryant earning as much as $25 million a year.

Endorsement Deals: Lebrone James, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant features in the top 10 list of highest paid athletes with their massive salaries and endorsement deals with take their yearly income well over $50 million a year.

Fastest growing sport: Basketball is also the fastest growing sport on every scale from revenues, to competitions/leagues. More and more professional leagues are getting established in countries across the world, specially in easter european countries like Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Serbia, Lithuania where basketball is easily the second favorite sport.

#3. Cricket

Estimated 2 billion+ followers makes cricket one of the most popular sport mainly in commomwealth countries like England, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, Carribeans and South Africa.

Cricket is a dominating sport in many countries specially from indian-sub continent. Pakistan, Indian, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh while England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are other big cricketing nations with cricket as second favorite sport. Cricket is also very popular in Caribbeans with international team callled West Indies is comprised of players from different countries across Caribbeans. Cricket also has its roots in countries like Ireland, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Holland.

#4. Tennis

A global reach and over a 1 billion followers makes Tennis the most popular individual based sport. It comes up triumph in many of our criteria factors.

Highest prize money in individual sport: All four grand slams, Australia Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US offer huge prize money and the prize money given to winners mens and women singles event is the highest in any of the individual sport.

The most global calendar year: Tennis events divided in four categories (ATP 250, ATP 500, ATP Masters and Grand Slams) takes place around the world throughout every years. Only football has more global venues than Tennis which is coverage in almost every part of the world.

Most prestigious sport event: Wimbledon is not only the most prestigious tennis event but also in all sport. Over 1 billion people tune in at some point during Wimbledon 2015 and 2014. While 17.3 million viewers tuned in to BBC One only in UK in 2013 Wimbledon final.

#5. Athletics

Athletic is by far the most global sport of them all which include several disciplines of course with Running, long jump and other track/field events. Athletics is also the high point of Olympic games as Athletics based sports are the most watched during any Olympic event.

Most countries represented in Athletics: Athletics is the most represented sport in the olympics with athletes from almost all countries participating in some form of the diciplines in Athletics.

Most watched single olympic event: 100m final gold medal sprint race in 2012 Olympics was the most watched event in Olympic history with over 1 billion tv views across the world.

#6. Rugby

Rugby is a major sport in some of the most economical developed countries like All four home nations of United Kindom (England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland) in souther hemisphere countries like Australia, New Zealand and South africa also boost huge popularity in Rugby.

Second most lucrative Sports World Cup: 2015 Rugby World Cup was the biggest Rugby event in history which took place in England and Wales. It generated in access of £250 million in revenue which was alot more than what was expected.

Second most watched & Attended competition: Rugby world cup 2015 was the most attended sports event behind FIFA World cup 2014. Over 2.47 million tickets were sold with around half a million (480,000) fans traveling from oversees (24 countries).

Highest ever TV ratings in UK: ITV’s coverage of opening ceremony and opening England match was watched by 8.7 million UK viewers on average making it the most watched sports event in UK.

#7. Formula 1

550 million people tune in every year at some stage of Formula 1 season which runs from March to November. F1 is by far the most popular motoSport in the world.

Most lucrative motor-sport: As far as the yearly revenue is concerned Formula 1 generate somewhere between $1.5 to $2 billion a year. Which is soundly distributed among 10 f1 teams who in return spend between $100 million to $500 million a season on elite level motor engineers, research & development and of course on driver salaries.

Massive driver contracts: On formula 1 drivers makes around $5 million a year while the top drivers like Sebastian Vettel who has a $50 million a year contract with Ferrari, current world champion Lewis Hamilton who signed a new deal worth $40 million a year two of the highest paid athletes around.

#8. Boxing

Only combat sport in the list, boxing is truly global just like Tennis and Athletics. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao has dominated the rich list in last 10 years while boxing also boost some of the greatest athletes to have ever lived. Boxing is major sport in countries like USA, Mexico, Latin America, United Kingdom, Philippines, Japan, Russia and some eastern European countries like Ukrain, Poland, Romania.

Highest grossing fight of all times: Floyd Mayweather vs Many Pacquiao was the highest grossing boxing fight of all times generating over $400 million in revenue. While Mayweather took home record $250 from nights work while Pacquiao earned $120. Both fighters has kind of dominated forbes athlete rich-list for best part of last 8 years.

#9. Ice Hockey

By far the biggest winter sport in the world and although it is popular or played in specific countries like Canada, Russia, USA, Scandinavian countries like (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden) some easter european countries like Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic it can still boost huge popularity specially during the world championships and european championships.

#10: Volleyball

With no intricacies involved, this sport is as simple as you like. And probably it is the simplicity of this sport that makes it so famous among its fans. Take a trip to the hunger struck African countries or try going to the beaches of Australia, you will find people playing this sport everywhere. On professional level, players with tall heights are preferred because of the extra reach they have so if your height is somewhere to the north of 6 feet, you should fancy your chances in this sport.

Most popular in developing countries: It is quite popular in some of the developing countries with the likes of Brazil, Turkey, South Korea, some easter european nations like Poland, Ukrain other european countries like France, Italy and even in Asian region like China, Japan.

#11. Golf

Just lagging by few million fans, golf is the 8th most famous game. A very docile sport involving no real physical competition and can be played by people of all ages. For too long American Golf Star, Tiger Woods, overawed all his competitors through his exquisite playing abilities but now the sport has got some more representatives who are spreading this game to the farthest of places.

Massive earning potential: Golf’s very own Tiger Woods dominated the athlete rich-list for best part of last 15 years largely down to his very lucrative sponsorship deals with Nike, EA Sports, Gillette and countless other endorsement deals. 

Most Popular Sports In The World (Countdown 11 to 17)

11 Baseball

Most lucrative sport in USA and Japan. MLB (US) and Nippon League (Japan) are two of the top 10 biggest pro league of all sports

12 American Football 

Biggest sport in USA and the most lucrative and powerful professional sport league of all sports is NFL which generates over $10 billion a year in revenue. Super bowl is the most watched sport event in US.

13 MMA 

Mixed Martial Arts is getting more and more popular with the emergence of UFC. Its a big sport in Brazil, USA while spreading across Europe slowly. It highly rewarding financially and might overtake Boxing in a few years.

14 MotoGP 

It is one of the motorcycle racing series. MotoGP is the premium class competition with huge TV following around the world. Mostly popular in Spain, Italy, Netherlands but growing in England, USA, Germany and Middle-east.

15 Field Hockey

Field Hockey has fallen from grace even where it was most popular India, Pakistan. It still has some varied interest but nothing like 20 years ago where it was major sport in India, Pakistan and fairly popular in Australia, Malaysia, Holland, Germany, England and South Africa.

16 Badminton

Huge popularity in Asia specifically countries like Malaysia, China, India, Korea etc. Its more of a hobby sport in Europe and Americas.

17 Cycling 

Very popular in some major european countries like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, England and Netherlands. Tour de France is one of the most watched competition in the world. Cycling is part of school games around the world.

References:

Total Sportek, 25 World’s Most Popular Sports (Ranked by 13 factors).

Business: Sports Illustrated, Zion Williamson's Hype Machine Is No Longer Needed

Few rookies in history have been hyped like Zion Williamson, yet somehow the Pelicans star is already blowing our minds in the preseason.

• This is a player who’s been almost specifically designed to abuse the dimensions of the NBA game.
• He’s too strong, too explosive, and has an unbelievable knack for using the glass, feeling out pockets of space around the basket, and converting. I personally have little doubt that those elements of his game are for real.
• I got chills watching him render Rudy Gobert helpless on multiple occasions last week. It’s really hard not to be excited. Every game, it’s something different that makes you pause for a second. As friend of mine in the industry put it long ago, watching Williamson play basketball is like eating candy.
• Once he gets in the air, you basically can’t knock him off his line, and he has more room than ever to gather his weight, aim himself at the rim, and go to work.
• The beautiful thing about Williamson’s game has always been his maturity. He understands exactly what he’s capable of and rarely strays from that formula, which leads to shots that are almost exclusively team-friendly.
• People ignore that he shot a passable 33.8% on 71 three-point attempts at Duke. He’s comfortable enough catching and shooting when he’s open, it’s just that most of the time, he knows better. If there’s a driving lane, Williamson should be taking it. He’s a very underrated passer. 
• It’s not rocket science that his best role offensively has always been at the five, but until he becomes a more flexible defender, it’s hard to see the Pelicans being able to rely on those types of lineups for long stretches. The faster he can get up to speed, the more realistic the playoffs become for New Orleans.
• New Orleans was already one of the league’s fastest-paced teams under Alvin Gentry, and there’s not much reason to pivot from that based on their personnel. It’s been great to see Williamson already identify his role in the offense and where his points will come from.  
• Williamson is nearly impossible to defend in space and in transition, he’s an expert finisher and a terrific passer. He has the physical presence to draw fouls at an elite rate. He is not an outstanding jump shooter, but his release isn’t broken, and he may be too explosive for defenders to gain much by sagging off.
• Few rookies in the history of the sport have been must-see television from the start. Zion is one of them.

References:

Sports Illustrated, Zion Williamson's Hype Machine Is No Longer Needed, Jeremy Woo, October 14 2019.

 PELICANS at SPURS | Zion Scores 22 PTS on 11 SHOTS | NBA Preseason 2019

Business: Media, NBA has become a global lifestyle concept, Basketball is a big deal in China

CNBC, NBA has become a global lifestyle concept, NBA China CEO says  

Derek Chang, CEO of NBA China, discusses the opportunities in the Chinese market, where there is a growing basketball fanbase.

CNBC Sports, How the NBA is taking over China

The NBA is the most popular sports league in China. CNBC's Uptin Saiidi travels to the world's most populous country to find out how it gained hundreds of millions of fans and what's next.

CNN, Basketball is a big deal in China 

• It's popularity exploded in part because of Yao, who was born in Shanghai and played for the Rockets from 2002 to 2011. 
• Roughly 300 million people in the country — nearly one-fifth of its population — now play the sport, according to the Chinese Basketball Association.
• It's the most watched professional sport in the country, according to Tencent. The number of people watching NBA games on Tencent's streaming services in China has nearly tripled in the last four years. And during the 2017-2018 season, more than 600 million people watched NBA games on Chinese television networks.
• NBA China, which it established in 2008 to manage the NBA-related events, was worth more than $4 billion, NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum told Forbes in an interview last year.
• The NBA also partners with Chinese companies, which sell authorized NBA products — including sportswear, beer, dairy drinks and electronics. Partners include Alibaba, (BABA) Li-Ning, and Mengniu Dairy.
• The sport and its stars are also popular on social media. The league has 180 million followers on Chinese social media, according to NBA China. And star players also have huge followings: Kobe Bryant, the former Los Angeles Lakers legend who retired in 2016, has 8.25 million followers on Weibo. 

CNBC International TV, Discussing the future of sport streaming in China with WWE, NFL and NBA

Jay Li, general manager of Greater China at WWE, NBA China's CEO Derek Chang and Richard Young, managing director at NFL China discuss the opportunities and challenges of bringing sport streaming overseas.

Noticiero El Big Picture del Deporte, NBA: NBA.com, Rookie Survey: Zion Williamson, Ja Morant early favorites to shine in 2019-20

The 2019 Draft class picks favorites for Kia Rookie of the Year, best defender and more. Time will tell about the five teams that had the top five picks in this year's Draft. But it's clear that fellow rookies approve of the guys selected in the top two.

• For the 11th time in the last 13 years, NBA.com sat down with the rookie class at the annual Rookie Photo Shoot. In addition to the seven questions about their fellow rookies, this year's group (of 42) answered a few about the current player they most admire and what they're expecting as they make the jump to the NBA.
• In this year's NBA.com Rookie Survey, 62 percent of responders picked the New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson or the Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant to win the Kia Rookie of the Year award. Williamson made Rookie Survey history with how many votes he got in the "Most athletic" question, while Morant was a clear favorite for "Best playmaker."
• Who will be the 2019-20 Kia Rookie of the Year?
  1. Zion Williamson, New Orleans -- 35%
  2. Ja Morant, Memphis -- 27%
  3. R.J. Barrett, New York -- 5%
      Cam Reddish, Atlanta -- 5%
• Which rookie will have the best career?
  1. Cam Reddish, Atlanta -- 19%
  2. Ja Morant, Memphis -- 16%
  3. De'Andre Hunter, Atlanta -- 11%
  4. R.J. Barrett, New York -- 5%
      Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans -- 5%
      Coby White, Chicago -- 5%
      Zion Williamson, New Orleans -- 5%
• Which rookie is the most athletic?
  1. Zion Williamson, New Orleans -- 87%
  2. Brandon Clarke, Memphis -- 8%
  Others receiving votes: Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans; Kevin Porter Jr., Cleveland
• Who is your favorite player in the league?
  1. LeBron James, L.A. Lakers -- 38%
  2. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn -- 20%
  3. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers -- 8%
      Damian Lillard, Portland -- 8%
  5. Devin Booker, Phoenix -- 5%
      James Harden, Houston -- 5%
• Last year: LeBron James -- 29%
  Worth noting: In the 10-year history of this question, only three players have been the top vote-getter. James, named the top guy for the fourth time, separates himself from Durant (3) and Kobe Bryant (3). Interestingly, Bryant wasn't one of the two retired guys -- Garnett and Nash, this time -- to get votes.

References:

NBA.com, Rookie Survey: Zion Williamson, Ja Morant early favorites to shine in 2019-20, John Schuhmann NBA.com, Aug 19, 2019.

Business: Forbes, The World's 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams 2019

The world’s richest sports teams are almost all swimming in cash these days. Barcelona, which lost $37 million due to excessive player costs, was the only top-50 team to post a loss on an operating basis, and every other team turned a profit of at least $25 million. More than half of the teams made more than $100 million, led by the Cowboys at $365 million.

Some of the most relevant information:

• NBA teams have made the most dramatic moves this decade. The New York Knicks headline nine hoops teams in the top 50 this year. Their $4 billion value, up 11%, ranks fifth among all sports teams. The Los Angeles Lakers ($3.7 billion) and Golden State Warriors ($3.5 billion) also cracked the top 10. In 2012, the Lakers were the most valuable NBA team at $900 million and ranked 35th out of all sports franchises. The Knicks were the only other NBA team in the top 50 in 2012.
• Three NBA franchises have been sold for at least $2 billion since 2014 (Nets, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers). The prior NBA-record sale price was $550 million for the Milwaukee Bucks, which closed three months before Steve Ballmer’s $2 billion blockbuster purchase of the Clippers.

The franchise values below are based on Forbes’ published valuations over the past 12 months by Mike Ozanian, Christina Settimi and Kurt Badenhausen. Team values reflect enterprise values (equity plus debt). No teams from the NHL, Nascar, MLS or Formula One made the top 50. The highest-ranking franchise outside of the NBA, NFL, MLB and European soccer was the New York Rangers at 72nd with a value of $1.55 billion.

• The NFL remains the most dominant sports leagues with more than half of the 50 most valuable sports franchises, but the other major sports chipped away at its dominance during the past year.
• The discount bin is empty when shopping for teams in the major sports leagues. Every NFL, NBA and MLB franchise is now worth at least $1 billion.
• Manchester United was the world’s only pro sports team worth more than $2 billion in 2012. Now there are at least 50, including almost every NFL team.

The World's 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams 2019: Top 10

1 | Dallas Cowboys (NFL)

Value: $5 billion
1-Year % Change: 4%
Owner: Jerry Jones
Operating Income: $365 million

2 | New York Yankees (MLB)

Value: $4.6 billion
1-Year % Change: 15%
Owners: Steinbrenner family
Operating Income: $30 million

3 | Real Madrid (Soccer)

Value: $4.24 billion
1-Year % Change: 4%
Owners: Club members
Operating Income: $112 million

4 | Barcelona (Soccer)

Value: $4.02 billion
1-Year % Change: -1%
Owners: Club members
Operating Income: -$37 million

5 | New York Knicks (NBA)

Value: $4 billion
1-Year % Change: 11%
Owner: Madison Square Garden Company
Operating Income: $155 million

6 | Manchester United (Soccer)

Value: $3.81 billion
1-Year % Change: -8%
Owners: Glazer family
Operating Income: $238 million

7 | New England Patriots (NFL)

Value: $3.8 billion
1-Year % Change: 3%
Owner: Robert Kraft
Operating Income: $235 million

8 | Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)

Value: $3.7 billion
1-Year % Change: 12%
Owners: Jerry Buss Family Trusts, Philip Anschutz
Operating Income: $147 million

9 | Golden State Warriors (NBA)

Value: $3.5 billion
1-Year % Change: 13%
Owners: Joe Lacob, Peter Guber
Operating Income: $103 million

10 (tie) | New York Giants (NFL)

Value: $3.3 billion
1-Year % Change: 0%
Owners: John Mara, Steven Tisch
Operating Income: $149 million

10 (tie) | Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)

Value: $3.3 billion
1-Year % Change: 10%
Owners: Guggenheim Baseball Management
Operating Income: $95 million

References:

Forbes, The World's 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams 2019, Kurt Badenhausen.