The cream of American sports has across the Atlantic as the New York Knicks played the Milwaukee Bucks tonight in an NBA league game at Greenwich’s O2.

Undoubtedly it is a treat for British basketball fans – the game sold out in under an hour – but it turns out, it’s also a perk for the players.

The Knicks’ 22-year-old guard Tim Hardaway Jnr - son of five-time NBA All-star and Olympic Gold Medallist Tim Hardaway – is making his first trip to the UK.

Speaking at the Knicks’ training session yesterday, he told Vibe: “I love being out here. It’s a great, great country and I’m just happy to be part of this.

“We’re just enjoying everyone’s company. Everybody is just showing us around and definitely I’m enjoying the nightlife.

“Coach (Derek) Fisher has given us ample opportunity to get out and about after practice to view the city and some of the sights.

“There are so many so I’ll try to get in as many as possible.

“I’ve only been to a lot of shops. I haven’t got to the tourist attractions like Big Ben and the Eye and the Palace. I’m definitely going to try to do those things after practice.”

Tonight’s game is the fifth time the NBA has visited Greenwich and is as popular as ever. Combined with regular sell-outs when the American footballers of the NFL come to the UK, Stateside sports would seem to be as big as ever over here.

The idea of a British franchise in the NFL has been floated, and the 6ft6 Hardaway was enthusiastic about the possibility in the NBA too.

He said: “I know I’ve heard talk about it a little bit, but I’m not sure. It would be great to have some British teams join the league and have some more of the games we’re playing here, playing in front of crowds like this.”

News Shopper:

While the crowd at the O2 was different to what the Knicks are used to – they play home games at the legendary Madison Square Gardens – Hardaway was fond of the venue.

“It’s different,” he laughed. “At the same time, it’s huge. I’ve seen it on the Olympics when the games were in London, it’s great.”

  • New York Knicks v Milwaukee Bucks is at the O2 tonight. It's on BT Sport for those that didn't get tickets.