Former NBA star Andrew Bogut says the concept of five Australian NBL teams taking on the might of the NBA would have been laughed out of America just a few years ago, but now a win is also achievable.
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An opening marquee clash between NBL champions Melbourne United and Ben Simmons' Philadelphia 76ers highlights seven games announced on Wednesday between NBL teams and NBA sides over a week starting September 28.
In the second year of the innovation, it's the most games NBA clubs will have played against teams from an international league in a single pre-season.
"The NBL is starting to get a name globally," said Bogut, the Sydney Kings' superstar signing, who faces a match up with old foes at the LA Clippers in Honolulu.
"To even have these conversations with NBA teams probably wouldn't have happened four or five years ago.
"To be honest they would have laughed when people called to try and arrange these games so the fact they've got this done two years in a row and to this capacity is great so hopefully we can keep pushing this momentum."
The expansion of games follows the success last year, when Melbourne United excelled against Oklahoma City, falling agonisingly with a one-point loss.
The Sydney Kings also played Utah Jazz last year and Bogut looked forward to resuming his fiery relationship with the LA Clippers which developed when he was with Golden State Warriors.
"I've had a good history with the LA CLippers," Bogut said.
"Blake Griffin has gone and he was one of the main ones but hopefully DeAndre (Jordan) is still there because we have some beef."
The other matches are in the US mainland and will also feature the Adelaide 36ers, New Zealand Breakers and Perth Wildcats.
United open the series against Philadelphia on September 28 at the Wells Fargo Centre.
The 76ers are led by Australian point guard and 2018 Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons and their head coach Brett Brown, a former coach of the Australian national men's team.
Bogut said that United showed against OKC last season that a win for an Australian team was possible.
"It's doable - European teams have done it and there's no reason why NBL teams can't," he said.
"NBA rosters are still fresh at that point so they're still figuring each other out so I think there will be a few opportunities and hopefully we can put ourselves on the map with a win."
Schedule:-
September 28 - Philadelphia 76ers v Melbourne United - Wells Fargo Centre, Philadelphia
September 29 - Utah Jazz v Perth Wildcats - Vivint Smart Home Arena, Utah
September 30 - LA Clippers v Sydney Kings - Stan Sheriff Centre, Honolulu
October 3 - Phoenix Suns v New Zealand Breakers - Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix
October 5 - Denver Nuggets v Perth Wildcats - Pepsi Centre, Denver
October 5 - Toronto Raptors v Melbourne United - Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
October 5 - Utah Jazz v Adelaide 36ers - Vivint Smart Home Arena, Utah
Australian Associated Press
