NBA - Main

I think your statement is flawed. I don't think most basketball fans think NCAA basketball is "better" than Euro league ball. But it is absolutely more relevant. NCAA basketball games are on when people are awake in the US. A lot of people in the US went to a college that had solid basketball programs. A lot of people in the United States have done a bracket and paid attention to March Madness. The overwhelming majority of NBA players played in the NCAA, and the overwhelming majority of NBA players did not play in Euro league.

I don't think minor league baseball is better than NPB or KBO. But a lot of baseball fans have been to way more minor league baseball games (and seen some of those players go onto the big leagues) and are a little bit familiar with their team's minor league affiliates. They're not watching Korean and Japanese baseball at odd hours that isn't on TV.