Bayern sports director criticizes EuroLeague and NBA, welcomes Ibaka / News - Basketnews.com

Bayern Munich's sports director Daniele Baiesi dealt criticism to both the NBA and the EuroLeague while reiterating a welcome message to Serge Ibaka.

Credit: dpa/picture-alliance-Scanpix Credit dpa/picture-alliance-Scanpix

In an interview with Tuttospprt, FC Bayern Munich's sports director Daniele Baiesi talked about the EuroLeague's competition with the NBA, offered criticism of the EuroLeague format, and welcomed Serge Ibaka to the old continent.

Serge Ibaka

MIN:24.13PTS:13.36 (59.84%)REB:7.09As:1ST:0.45BL:1.36TO:1.36GM:11ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

Baiesi talked about how the player makeup of the EuroLeague changed considerably over the years.

"A certain range of players has disappeared from Euroleague. When I was in Biella, I had two NBA second-rounders; now, it would be impossible. The ones who arrive now go straight to the Euroleague level, even if they're not ready for it," Baiesi told Tuttosport.

According to the Italian sporting director, the NBA's diversification of contracts with the expansion of two-way contracts and new drafting possibilities in the G-League made it difficult to attract players to Europe, with the EuroLeague becoming a league for older players.

"The very first thing that an agent of an interesting player asks us is to have an NBA escape in the deal," Baesi said before delivering a scathing criticism of the NBA. "NBA tends to sell a story, it almost used a colonial policy."

Baiesi did not only criticize the NBA in the interview, however. He also took a jab at the EuroLeague format.

"As long as this format is in place, injuries will continue to rise, and the quality of the games won't improve. With 34 games, the players have virtually no margin of error, coaches are always under stress."

Baesi also hinted at the negative side effects of the "Every Game Matters" motto of the EuroLeague: "This will be a schizophrenic competition in which everyone runs for the gold and where every single possession is considered like it's the last one of the season."

Bayern's sporting director additionally had positive points to mention about the return of Serge Ibaka and the power forward's work ethic.

"Serge is an extraordinary professional, just look at his body, he's amazing. He made himself available, he even watched a couple of friendly games," Bayern's sports director praised the veteran.

Despite his positive note on Ibaka, Baiesi still believes that the big man will need time to get into a rhythm again, seeing as he has been missing basketball since February 2023.

FC Bayern Munich will host ALBA Berlin in a German derby tonight to give both teams their first EuroLeague game of the 2023-24 season.

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