National Basketball Association

NBA European adventure a success for Nets, Britain

Published Mar. 6, 2011 4:42 p.m. ET

foxsports

The NBA's latest European foray not only gave the Nets a lift, it also gave a shot in the arm to Britain's hopes of competing in next year's London Olympics.

The Nets return to the United States having ended a six-game losing streak with back-to-back victories over the Toronto Raptors in the first regular-season NBA games in Europe.

Played in front of packed crowds of 18,700 fans at the O2 Arena in London on Friday and Saturday, the games were branded a success by players and officials from both teams.

Indeed, the Nets' thrilling triple-overtime success Saturday raised the excitement levels through the roof and gave the crowd a hint of what it could get when the Olympics arrive in less than 17 months.

''The crowd was unbelievable,'' said Italy's Andrea Bargnani, who had a team-high 35 points and 12 rebounds for the Raptors on Saturday. ''It's great the Olympics are going to be here.''

That will be music to the ears of Britain's basketball officials, who will learn next Sunday whether FIBA will allow Britain's men's and women's teams to compete in the 2012 Games.

The hosts have had to prove they are serious about improving their long-term basketball program before getting the go-ahead from the world governing body to participate next year. The success of the NBA games in London bodes well for their chances, showing there is a fanbase and market for the sport in Britain.

Raptors coach Jay Triano said it is a no-brainer.

''I think for the sake of the Olympics, when you're a host country it makes a lot of sense to have the home side there to cheer on,'' said Triano, who was Canada's coach at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. ''The game of basketball is big globally, and it would survive without it, but every time there is a host country playing, it brings a different excitement to the arena.''

Nets guard Deron Williams, who won an Olympic gold medal in Beijing three years ago, was impressed with the stadium and atmosphere after starring for New Jersey both nights.

''This is a great facility and it should bring a lot of energy,'' he said. ''This is a great place to have the Olympics.''

With the Nets well out of contention in the battle to reach the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, the victories in London will hardly matter in the NBA's grand scheme of things.

Just don't try telling that to Britain's basketball fans and officials ahead of next week's big decision.