NBA executive & icon Joe Dumars looks ahead to “incredible” NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 presented by ADQ

Sport360 spoke with Joe Dumars, the NBA’s Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations, to talk about the significance of these games, the NBA’s growing presence in the UAE, and the future of basketball in the region.

Q. What excites you about the NBA’s growing presence in the UAE?

Any time you go into a new area to promote the NBA, you’re always interested to see how it goes and what kind of reception you get. The reception we’ve gotten from the UAE, from Abu Dhabi, has been incredible. I really look forward to the excitement around the games. The fans for the first two years of the games have been exceptional. It’s just a great atmosphere, seeing so many kids wearing NBA jerseys. It’s just been a great experience for the NBA.

Q. This year’s Games feature the 2023 champions versus the 2024 champions. How does that elevate the showcase?

I can’t recall, in all the years of the Global Games, having the two prior champions playing. It may have happened, I’m not saying it hasn’t happened, but even for myself, it’s really exciting to have the two previous champions playing. Obviously, these are two of the elite teams in the NBA and to have them opening up the (pre) season, playing in Abu Dhabi, could not be better for them and for the fans there. For the fans in the UAE, you couldn’t ask for anything better. You put the previous two champions with the type of crowds that you have in Abi Dhabi – I just think it’s going to be a special week because it’s not just the two games, it’s the full week of a celebration of NBA basketball.

Q. What kind of challenges did you face bringing the NBA to the UAE as compared to other international markets?

There was never a challenge, it was just going to be interesting for the NBA to see how it goes. Since we’ve started coming to Abu Dhabi, there hasn’t really been any challenges. The players love it. I’ve talked to all the teams who have come before – Atlanta, Milwaukee, Dallas, Minnesota – every player has loved it. The guys get there and they look around and they start experiencing Abu Dhabi and they just absolutely love it. Once we realised how incredible it was, you won’t have any complaints from anyone.

Q. What are the NBA’s future plans in the region for the next five-10 years?

I think, just to continue to grow the game. We want to reach as many people as possible, especially kids. We want to touch them and inspire them and expose them to this great game, to these amazing players. It’s to continue to increase the presence, make sure people feel like they have access to the NBA, continue to play these games where people can come out and see these incredible players in person, provide the access to people on league pass and different platforms so they can actually see the games and follow the games. 

Q. The 2024 Abu Dhabi Games will also see the Regular Season MVP in Nikola Jokic face the Finals MVP in Jaylen Brown. What do you make of that matchup?

That’s a great point about the Regular Season MVP and the Finals MVP. Also, let’s add the Olympians on the teams as well, the NBA champions, All-Stars, future Hall of Famers. The resume of the guys, current players and even some of the former players who are going to be coming over as ambassadors to the game… That’s why I’m excited about this. You have Jokic, you have Jaylen Brown but you have Olympians like Jamal Murray and all the guys from the USA Team from Boston. I think it’s incredible. That’s what people are going to see in Abu Dhabi.

Q. Why is a battle between the two prior champions so special as a contest?

When you have two champions on the court, I look forward to that because the mentality of a champion is different and these are the last two. So I just look forward to seeing those two play each other. I saw them play during this past season. Denver went to Boston and I went to the game in Boston and it was an incredible game. I think it was a two-point game right to the very end and I just remember watching them play and I go – neither one of these teams want to give an inch. So I just look forward to the two previous champions playing together in two games like this. 

Q. What can we expect from the NBA in terms of developing the game in the UAE in the coming years?

We’re trying to reach as many boys and girls as possible to introduce the game to them, whether it be the NBA Basketball School, the WNBA, Jr. NBA, Jr. WNBA all of these programs are to reach as many kids as possible. We think that basketball is something that brings people together. We think it helps young people grow. So you’ll continue to see us invest in these areas, where we can reach as many kids as possible through as many programs as possible.

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The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 promise to be a spectacular showcase of elite basketball talent and global sports culture. With two elite teams, world-class athletes, and a host of exciting events, basketball fans in the UAE are in for a treat. 

Don’t miss out on what is sure to be an unforgettable week in Abu Dhabi. 

Limited tickets available!