Looking for some basketball action that goes beyond the NBA? Well, strap on your sneakers, because we’re diving into the top 5 basketball leagues around the world that are sure to get your heart racing and your feet tapping! From Europe to Asia and everywhere in between, these leagues feature incredible talent, intense rivalries and enough excitement to keep you hooked all season long. So take a seat courtside as we explore the best of international hoops – you won’t want to miss this slam dunk!
Introduction to Basketball Leagues
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, with leagues operating in countries all over the globe. Fans of the sport can enjoy watching top-level basketball action from any number of different leagues. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best basketball leagues to watch around the world.
The NBA is widely considered to be the premier basketball league in the world, and it features some of the best players on the planet. The league operates in the United States and Canada, and it draws top talent from all over the world. If you want to watch the very best in basketball action, then the NBA is the league for you.
The EuroLeague is another top-tier basketball league, featuring many of the best teams from across Europe. The level of play in the EuroLeague is extremely high, and fans can enjoy watching some of the continent’s finest players go head-to-head. If you’re looking for international flavor in your basketball viewing, then this is certainly a league worth checking out.
There are also a number of excellent domestic leagues operating around Europe, such as Spain’s ACB League and Italy’s Lega Basket Serie A. These leagues feature many of the same teams that compete in the EuroLeague, so fans can get a taste of top-level European basketball without having to leave their home countries.
NBA (United States)
Euroleague (Europe)
CBA (China)
ACB (Spain)
BSL (Turkey)
The National Basketball Association, or NBA, is the premier basketball league in the United States. The NBA is composed of 30 teams, 29 of which are located in the U.S. and one in Canada. The league was founded in 1946 and has grown to become one of the most popular professional sports leagues in the world.
The NBA season runs from October to June, with each team playing 82 regular season games. The top eight teams in each conference (Eastern and Western) advance to the playoffs, where they compete for the NBA championship.
Some of the greatest players in basketball history have played in the NBA, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. Today, the NBA is as competitive as ever, with talented players from all around the world coming to play in America’s top basketball league. If you’re a fan of basketball, there’s no better league to watch than the NBA.
The EuroLeague is the top-tier level of professional basketball in Europe. The league features 24 teams from all around the continent, including some of the biggest names in European basketball.
The EuroLeague season runs from October to May, with each team playing a total of 32 games. The top eight teams advance to the playoff stage, where they compete for the EuroLeague title.
Some of the biggest stars in the EuroLeague include Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, who played for CSKA Moscow; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond, who played for Valencia BC; and New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis, who played for Baloncesto Sevilla.
If you’re looking for top-level European basketball action, then the EuroLeague is the place to be.
The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) is one of the top 5 basketball leagues in the world and it is the professional men’s basketball league in China. It is widely considered to be the preeminent professional basketball league in Asia and is one of the most competitive and well-organized leagues in the world outside of the United States. The CBA was founded in 1995 and is composed of 20 teams. The league operates on a system similar to that of the NBA, with a regular season, playoffs, and an All-Star Game.
The CBA has produced some of Asia’s most talented players, including Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian, and Sun Yue. In recent years, the CBA has been working to improve its level of play by signing a number of high-profile foreign players, including Stephon Marbury and Tracy McGrady. The CBA also boasts a strong development system, with a number of players going on to have successful careers in Europe and elsewhere.
The CBA has become increasingly popular in recent years, both within China and internationally. In addition to providing quality entertainment, the league serves as an important platform for promoting the game of basketball in China. With its growing popularity and increasing level of play, the CBA is poised to become one of the premier basketball leagues in the world.
The fourth basketball league to watch around the globe is Asociacion de Clubs de Baloncesto, which is based in Spain. ACB is widely considered to be one of the best basketball leagues in Europe, and it features some of the best teams and players on the continent. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia are all powerhouses in the league, and they are always contenders for the title. The level of competition in ACB is extremely high, and it is always exciting to watch.
The Basketball Super League (BSL) is the top-tier men’s professional basketball league in Turkey. It was founded in 1966 and currently consists of 16 teams. The BSL is widely considered to be one of the best basketball leagues in Europe, and it has produced several NBA players such as Hedo Türkoğlu, Mehmet Okur, and Ersan İlyasova. The league’s season runs from October to May, and the BSL championship is one of the most coveted titles in Turkish basketball.
Preseason/Playoffs/Finals Formats for Above Leagues
The three main basketball leagues in the world are the National Basketball Association (NBA) in North America, the EuroLeague in Europe, and the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) in China. There are other notable leagues such as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the Korea Basketball League (KBL), but these three will be focused on for this article. Each one has a different format for their season, playoffs, and finals.
Starting with the NBA, their regular season is 82 games long. This is followed by a playoff tournament consisting of 16 teams. The 8 teams with the best record in each conference automatically qualify, while the remaining spots are given to the next 7 best teams regardless of conference affiliation. The first two rounds of the playoffs are played within the conference, while the last two rounds are played between the winners of each conference (the NBA Finals).
The EuroLeague has a similar playoff format to the NBA, but with a few key differences. The regular season is only 30 games long due to most teams also playing in their domestic leagues. The playoff tournament consists of 16 teams as well, but qualifying works differently. The top 4 teams from each group automatically qualify while the remaining spots are given to the next best 4 teams regardless of group affiliation. The first two rounds are again played within the groups, but the last four rounds see all 16 teams compete against each other regardless of group (with seeding used to determine matchups).
The Teams to Watch in Each League
There are a lot of great basketball leagues around the world to watch, but some stand out above the rest. Here are the top basketball leagues to watch around the globe.
The NBA is obviously the best basketball league in the world and there are a lot of great players and teams to watch. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are always must-sees on TV, while other teams like the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and Boston Celtics are also very fun to watch.
The EuroLeague is another great basketball league that features some of the best players in Europe. CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid are always two of the top teams in the league, while players like reigning MVP Ricky Rubio are must-see TV.
Conclusion
Watching basketball around the world is a great way to explore different leagues and styles of play. Whether you are looking for excitement, strong rivalries, or incredible talent, there is something for everyone to enjoy. We hope this article has helped you gain insight into top 5 basketball leagues out there and allowed you do choose which one will be most likely to captivate your attention this season.
