I remember sitting in a cramped London pub back in 2016, the air thick with the smell of stale beer and collective anticipation. It was 2 AM, but nobody cared - we were watching history unfold across the Atlantic. On the screen, Luol Deng was battling through what would become his final NBA season while a young Ben Simmons was just getting drafted. The pub erupted when the announcer mentioned there were now multiple British players in the league. That moment stuck with me, because it marked a shift I'd been witnessing gradually - British NBA players weren't just novelty acts anymore; they were becoming integral to the league's global story.

The numbers tell part of the tale, though they don't capture the full picture. During that 2016 season I was watching in that pub, British players collectively put up some fascinating quarter-by-quarter performances that really highlighted their growing impact. I recall analyzing game tapes later and noticing how in quarters 14-16 of crucial matchups, our boys were often the difference-makers. Their basketball IQ shone through during those pressure moments. Then there were those middle quarters, 28-32, where the physicality ramped up - exactly where British players' toughness, honed on rainy outdoor courts and in cramped sports halls across the UK, gave them an edge. The most telling stat though came in quarters 54-47 across multiple games - British players were consistently outperforming expectations, and in the final quarters sitting at 75-66, they were closing games with a composure that belied their relatively recent arrival on the basketball scene.

What's fascinating to me, having followed basketball since the days when finding an NBA game on British TV required staying up until 3 AM and hoping Channel 4 decided to air one, is how these players represent different aspects of British basketball development. You've got the pioneers like Luol Deng who paved the way, then the new generation who grew up with proper infrastructure. I've had the privilege of watching some of these guys develop from their early teens in British basketball academies, and what strikes me is how they're changing the very fabric of the NBA while staying true to their roots. Their journey mirrors the league's own global expansion - it's not about Americans teaching the world to play basketball anymore, it's about the world bringing its own flavor to the game.

I'll never forget chatting with a coach from the British basketball program who told me something that stuck - British players often have what he called "footballer's vision" combined with rugby toughness. It shows in how they move on court, how they see passing lanes that others miss, how they take contact that would faze players from more traditional basketball backgrounds. This unique blend is exactly what makes British NBA players such valuable assets in today's game. They're not trying to be American-style players - they're bringing something distinctly British to the hardwood, and frankly, it's making the league more interesting to watch.

The cultural impact back here in Britain has been incredible to witness firsthand. Kids in London and Manchester aren't just wearing football jerseys anymore - I see more and more young basketball players rocking NBA gear with British players' names on the back. Local courts that used to be empty except for the occasional enthusiast are now buzzing with activity. There's a palpable sense of pride when one of our own makes a spectacular play on basketball's biggest stage. It feels like we're watching our representatives in a global conversation about the sport, and they're not just participating - they're influencing how the game is played and perceived worldwide.

What really gets me excited, as someone who's been preaching the basketball gospel in Britain for decades now, is that this is just the beginning. The foundation has been laid, the pathways established. British NBA players making history in the league's global expansion isn't just a headline anymore - it's becoming the norm. And somewhere out there, probably in some rainy British town, there's a kid practicing crossovers who'll be the next chapter in this story. I can't wait to watch that unfold from another pub, probably with another pint in hand, cheering as another piece of British basketball history gets written.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.