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Back in 2018, the NBA had been anticipating the resumption of international play. Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Sunsand it’s in full swing as the Golden State Warriors and Washington take on the Atlanta Hawks in Japan and the Bucks this week in the United Arab Emirates.
The Bucks plan to leave Milwaukee after practice on Monday for a 16-hour plane trip to Abu Dhabi, where they will play the Eagles on Thursday and Saturday at 11 a.m. (central). They plan to go home after that game.
At least one practice will be open and the team will be involved in various outreach and public relations activities. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver As the State Department noted, Bucks president Peter Fagin has addressed concerns about the league and the team’s presence in the country,”major human rights issues” and criminalize the LGBTQ+ community.
Bucks see platform promoting equality for women, LGBTQ+
“For us, we’re firmly behind the league and Adam, the NBA[but]we’re not hiding, we’re taking a leading position in supporting and advancing rights — as I think the Atlanta Hawks have,” Fagin told the Sentinel Soon after the match was announced. “Whether it’s women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, or being steadfast in upholding our values of equality, respect and free speech. So wherever we go, we take it with us.
“I think that’s our value proposition and it gives us a platform and we’re certainly still the NBA/Milwaukee Bucks team and we’ll always be committed to supporting and advancing the rights and values of equality and respect.”
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As for the trip itself, the preseason schedule has been a departure for the Bucks since Giannis Antetokounmpo started out as a superstar. The team was part of the first regular-season games in Paris (2020) and London (2015), but the organization would rather not make another trip for the season’s big game.
While the trip was long, Bucks co-owner Jamie Dinan said the entire ownership group, along with some sponsors, was over, and head coach Mike Budenholzer said he was surprised to hear his Staff and players were almost unanimous in their support on this trip.
Bringing basketball to the Middle East
“I think this is a huge opportunity for the organization to be the first NBA game to be played in the Middle East,” Bucks co-owner Wes Edens said. “I have a lot of friends in the area and have done a lot of business there over the years. I can tell you the excitement for us in the area and the fact that the Eagles are going there is huge.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for our players to see a different side of the world that they don’t naturally see. With all the different activities we do as an organisation, I think there’s no doubt that this is what the organization is most excited about. So it’s going to be cool.
“There’s still a long way to go, right? 16 hours from here. The other side of the world. Obviously, there’s a lot going on in the geopolitics of the world that makes (us) more sensitive to that. For us , this is a great opportunity for us to showcase the Bucks and the NBA brand, and we are very fortunate to have been selected and we are very excited about it.”
Antetokounmpo added: “I’m super excited. First of all, I’m always excited about our global game, just going to different parts of the world to play for fans who love the game. There are so many people outside of the U.S. who love the sport to be able to showcase our It’s always a great feeling to have talent and what we do and share the excitement of the NBA with them.
“I’m excited to go with my family. I’ve never been there before. I’m excited to explore the city. I’m excited to play with my teammates.”
As Antetokounmpo pointed out, the Bucks also have family with their players, with second-year player Sandro Mamukrashvili saying his family is still in Georgia and they are planning to travel to watch him play. For an established team with 16 players on a 20-man training camp roster, having joined the team a year ago, this is another way to build team chemistry.
“I think it’s good that the more time we spend together in the preseason, as a coach, it’s trying to build some connection and some unity and stuff like that,” Budenholzer said. “It helps to do trips like this. Just learning, growing, experiencing another culture and understanding the world, and I think all those things, although they’re not like basketball, we do feel like they’re integrated into us and become a closer, more A united team.”
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