Quote Originally Posted by flyingdutchdevil View Post
Interestingly enough, of the best pro sports league in every sport (ie NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, etc), the NBA is the second most "international" after the Premier League for soccer (https://www.economist.com/internatio...asingly-fierce). "International" is defined by nationalities represented rather than number of players who aren't American. If we go by the second definition, I'd assume MLB is likely the second most international after the Premier League (or any soccer league).
Watching the game globalize has been one of the most fun aspects of basketball fandom the last 30 years. I remember watching Shane Battier play in the Goodwill Games in Australia in the early 00s and it was just a blast. The game would have been much less joyful without guys like Yao, Dikembe, Giannis, Manu, Luka, Parker, Dirk...a lot of the "one name" stars. The U.S. Olympics loss in 2004 was probably one of the best things to happen to the sport. Created a whole generation of kids around the world who loved the game, gave the U.S. true international rivals, and gave us Coach K for 3 Olympics cycles in arguably the best basketball "story" of the last 20 years. The international leagues are also giving guys (many w/o college degrees!) an opportunity for a robust professional playing career.

Just all good, good stuff.