Staying focused
For all of the preparations put in place and precautions put in place, the fact remains that this isn’t just a normal game.
The vibe around the buildup to these NBA Europe games, and certainly the volume of media attention, publicity duties, and general sense of spotlight often creates something feels more akin to an All-Star Game than it does to a regular season contest.
The atmosphere in the arena can often feel quite strange too, although it remains to be seen whether that will translate to Paris from previous stagings in London. In-game entertainment tends to be pushed to its limits, in-game breaks can be extended to accommodate that, and it can be tough to latch on to the usual flow or rhythm that comes with an NBA game.
With all of those various distractions and inconveniences, the game will be a real test of the Bucks’ ability to drown out all of the noise and simply lock in and focus on the task at hand.
The Bucks should be clear favorites against a Hornets team that has lost seven consecutive games, but the peculiarities of this game could certainly help to level the playing field.