After Cincinnati, the BIG3 has three weeks left in its seventh season, concluding the summer league as we know it. The league, founded by rap legend Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, consists of twelve teams, primarily composed of former NBA and international players. The league adapts the game rules from the official FIBA three vs. three regulations. Watching the games evokes nostalgia as former NBA players return to the court, relishing the game they love.
Since its creation, the BIG3 has made noticeable headlines, which has helped its popularity. In August 2023, current Finals MVP Jaylen Brown became the first active NBA player to participate in a BIG3 game. He played in the All-Star game, scoring nine points, grabbing five rebounds, and dishing two assists. In November 2023, federal authorities investigated the NBA for allegedly pressuring affiliates not to engage with the BIG3. In March 2024, BIG3 offered Caitlin Clark $5 million over two years, team ownership, merchandising revenue, and a documentary deal.
As the league evolves, it makes strategic changes to enhance its growth and fan engagement. After this season, the BIG3 will abandon the twelve-team format and have teams representing a home market. Major cities such as Los Angeles, Miami, and Houston have secured their teams for the 2025 season. Detroit is the fourth city to ensure a team. After securing games in the 2018, 2019, and 2023 seasons, the largest city in Michigan will host a BIG3 team.
The decision to bring a team to Detroit is not just a random choice but a strategic move with potential benefits for the city and the league. Why Detroit and what are some iconic moments in Detroit’s BIG3 history? Let’s talk about it.
Why Detroit is the Perfect Fit for the BIG3 League’s Next Move
The “Metta World Peace” BIG3 Return To Detroit
Ron Artest, a.k.a. Metta World Peace is one of the more polarizing athletes connected to Detroit. World Peace will forever be a villain in Detroit after the infamous Malice at the Palace, where he, along with Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O’Neal, got into a brawl with Pistons fans. He received a season-long suspension, and the aftermath of that night derailed the Pacers’ championship momentum. World Peace played for the Kings, Rockets, Lakers, and Knicks, winning a 2009-10 championship with the Lakers before retiring.
Everyone was surprised to see World Peace back in Detroit playing basketball. Playing for the Killer 3s, alongside Pistons legend Chauncey Billups, World Peace kicked the ball into the stands and was ejected. Fans expressed their disdain for the former Defensive Player of the Year by booing him loudly as he left the court.
With their intense loyalty and fierce opinions, Detroit’s passionate fans proved once again that the city’s energy is unmatched. Their reactions to figures like World Peace underscore the deep emotional connections they have with basketball history and the BIG3 league.
The Josh Smith Big3 Return
While I can’t speak on other cities hosting BIG3 games, they don’t hold a candle to Detroit’s energy. Week one of the 2019 season at Little Caesars Arena is one of the most memorable moments in BIG3 history. Fourteen thousand two hundred thirty-five fans welcomed former Pistons players Josh Smith and Will Bynum back to the city.
Bynum spent six seasons with the Pistons, during which he became a fan favorite. He averaged 8.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 44/28/80% shooting in 338 games with the Pistons. Smith, on the other hand, was a different story. As a Pistons’ 2013 free agency class member, his tenure with the team was short-lived. He appeared in only 105 games before the team waived him.
Every time Smith touched the ball, the fans booed him as loud as they could. Smith wasn’t a fan favorite in the city, and the fans let him know it. The only cheer he received came when the referee ejected him and Royce White after their scrum at the Bivouacs vs. Enemies game. Fans felt slight joy when Smith got kicked out but also anger, knowing he would still receive $5 million from the team due to the amnesty provision until 2023.
Detroit’s passion for basketball, whether through love for its heroes or disdain for its disappointments, showcases the unique and vibrant energy that the city brings to the BIG3. This energy makes Detroit a significant player in the league’s future.
Detroit And The BIG3 Are A Perfect Match
The city and the BIG3 mesh together so perfectly. The BIG3 can be gritty and tough while showing love to those who go out there and work for their reputation. Detroit also has that tough love mentality as a city and will reward you for your work to make a name for yourself.
Detroit is emerging as one of the top cities in the United States and has earned recognition as the best travel destination this year. For years, Detroit was the laughingstock of a nation, and rightfully so. Corrupt politicians, senseless crimes, and viral videos of residents at their lowest made it a joke. But with hard work and dedication, Detroit has risen from its ashes and become a destination where people want to hold events because of its energy.
This revitalization makes Detroit the perfect home for a BIG3 team. The league’s gritty, resilient spirit mirrors the city’s, creating a synergy that promises to elevate BIG3 and Detroit. Hosting a BIG3 team will bring economic benefits and reinforce the city’s growing reputation as a vibrant, dynamic destination.
The Last Word
The city’s passionate fans and rich basketball history make it an ideal home for a BIG3 team. Iconic moments, like Metta World Peace and Josh Smith’s returns, have underscored Detroit’s unique energy and deep connection to the league. This vibrant atmosphere enhances the league’s appeal and contributes to Detroit’s renaissance.
The synergy between Detroit and the BIG3 promises a bright future. As the city continues to rebuild and redefine itself, hosting a BIG3 team will bring economic benefits and further solidify its reputation as a dynamic destination. The gritty, resilient spirit of the league and the city creates a perfect match, paving the way for exciting developments in the coming seasons.
