The only advantage that American players have over international is athleticism...

[tgan3]

I've watched many Olympic matches between teams like USA vs other international teams like Spain or Lithuania etc...

I can safely say that the distinction between the better team is purely due to 2 things that is athleticism and defense.

USA's athletes are way more stronger, faster and they obviously jump higher. This in turn would translate to better defense. A good athlete doesn't necessary translate to a good defender but having athleticism are the necessary tools to be a elite defender.

This could be seen on the court in play when international teams make passes that are intercepted due to fast reaction and quick hands, or they are shut down when going for a layup simply because the defender gets up so high to block the ball.

In many aspects the international teams DO NOT LOSE based solely on skills alone. In fact, I dare say their passing and teamwork are top-notched and are better than USA teams. Their shooting is also remarkably better than most of the USA players with the exception of sharpshooters like Durant, Curry etc.

If these international players do hit the weight room rather than focusing 100% just on the court, I do see them being very close or on par to USA players....

[kNicKz]

http://repnvairadio.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/gold-medal-winners-usa-basketball-2012.jpg

[jlip]

Considering that basketball is an "athletic" competition, I would say that having an athletic advantage is quite significant.

[Inactive]

It's not just athleticism, we produce the best individual players period. Our team play isn't very good when we play internationally though.

[Rick James]

I agree with the op.

Which is why I'm more impressed with a player who has to use his brain and skills to crush his opponent. This was Larry Bird. He's not international, but he lacks the athletic ability that his smaller brained pairs have.

[Inferno]

But V-Span is more athletic than Rose and Westbrook combined!

[SHAQisGOAT]

:coleman:

That's just BS

Yea we have the best athletes (not that there aren't great athletes outside) but lets not neglect the skill, we also "produce" the most skilled.

[tgan3]

Considering that basketball is an "athletic" competition, I would say that having an athletic advantage is quite significant.

If i'm the coach of the international teams, I would dedicate 2-3 days per week purely doing gym work. Skill wise they are about as good as they can get.

[Le Shaqtus]

http://repnvairadio.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/gold-medal-winners-usa-basketball-2012.jpg

Where you at Shitnoulis

:pimp:

[Rick James]

It's not just athleticism, we produce the best individual players period. Our team play isn't very good when we play internationally though.

America produces great players yes. But It's always mostly an athletic player. Which speaks volumes to your second sentence. These athletic players are only into their own goals, and they like to celebrate or embarrass a opponent, all while lacking team orientated basketball IQ.

[Miller for 3]

Well, the NBA/America are known for not testing for HGH and other PEDs. Euroleague and Europe in general is very strict in only producing REAL athletes, not genetically modified humanoids like Lebronze.

I'll take the team of humans with good fundamentals over the lab experiments with Nike deals. Sorry

[Budadiiii]

The sky is blue and Derrick Rose is socially awkward. Nothing new here.

Genetics and athleticism play a major role in the sport of basketball. With the US's population and diversity, it just isn't even fair in terms of competition.

Like RicKJames said, I respect guys a little more for their cerebral approach, ala Nash and Westbrook. Overcompensated for their lack of athleticism. Hell, this Russell dude is so damn ambitious and persistent, he managed to turn himself into one of the most athletic guys in the world. Couldn't even dunk in high school and had absolutely no skill. Dude is an international inspiration.

[Jameerthefear]

A bit more then athleticism op.

[The JKidd Kid]

http://repnvairadio.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/gold-medal-winners-usa-basketball-2012.jpg

:cheers:

[Rick James]

http://repnvairadio.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/gold-medal-winners-usa-basketball-2012.jpg

They win because they're faster and stronger. Not due to skills or smarts.

[Euroleague]

If by "athleticism" you mean performance enhancing drugs, then yes, I concur with your thesis.

[Euroleague]

If i'm the coach of the international teams, I would dedicate 2-3 days per week purely doing gym work. Skill wise they are about as good as they can get.

WTF?

Euroleague teams all require mandatory weight training several times a week.

[Jameerthefear]

If by "athleticism" you mean performance enhancing drugs, then yes, I concur with your thesis.
V-Span sucks. you're a ***

[kNicKz]

They win because they're faster and stronger. Not due to skills or smarts.

u mad?

http://ebengregory.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/170102.jpg

[SHAQisGOAT]

They win because they're faster and stronger. Not due to skills or smarts.

Lol

Lets say we sent Dwight, Griffin, Gerald Green, Terrence Ross, McGee, Nate Robinson, Shannon Brown, DeRozan and some other fast, strong, even tall guys, along those lines... To the Olympics. We wouldn't win.

[tgan3]

WTF?

Euroleague teams all require mandatory weight training several times a week.

They must be doing it wrongly then none of them look like this...This is the difference between USA and international:

http://cdn.necolebitchie.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Dwyane-Wade-Miami-Beach-2.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-At9oV2tPo/UAoVbg34KJI/AAAAAAAADTg/OBDXrgEnl1Y/s1600/Dwight-Howard.Body.png

[zoom17]

http://repnvairadio.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/gold-medal-winners-usa-basketball-2012.jpg

:oldlol:

[iTare]

Who cares? They still fvcking win games, that's all that matters.

[Euroleague]

They must be doing it wrongly then none of them look like this...This is the difference between USA and international:

http://cdn.necolebitchie.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Dwyane-Wade-Miami-Beach-2.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-At9oV2tPo/UAoVbg34KJI/AAAAAAAADTg/OBDXrgEnl1Y/s1600/Dwight-Howard.Body.png

I hope to god you are being sarcastic.

[DuMa]

name me a better shooter other than steph curry
name me a better dribbler other than chris paul

you cant

[gabepizza]

http://repnvairadio.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/gold-medal-winners-usa-basketball-2012.jpg


Where's Harden?

[Euroleague]

name me a better shooter other than steph curry
name me a better dribbler other than chris paul

you cant

Juan Carlos Navarro

Dontaye Draper

I just picked two guys from Euroleague off the top of my head in like 2 seconds.

[Inferno]

Juan Carlos Navarro

Dontaye Draper

I just picked two guys from Euroleague off the top of my head in like 2 seconds.

This Juan Carlos guy shot 36% from the 3 and 85 at the FT with Memphis...

[iTare]

Juan Carlos Navarro

Dontaye Draper

I just picked two guys from Euroleague off the top of my head in like 2 seconds.

Bums.

[nathanjizzle]

the distinction between white american athletes and black american athletes is rhythm

[bdreason]

Sorry, but America produces both the most athletic and most skilled players in the World, and by a wide margin. Basketball in the States is incredibly popular at the street level; you can't go 2 blocks without finding a hoop. Our biggest weakness is our Amateur to Pro system, which consists of High School/AAU ball, and NCAA. Most kids aren't taught proper teamwork in High School/AAU, and then most don't spend more than a year in College. What you end up with is some very athletic and skilled players with little knowledge of how to play team basketball.

The ability of European players to turn pro at the age of 16 gives them about a 3 year head start on really learning how to play team basketball, which is where you see the largest advantage for European players and teams.

[Miller for 3]

This Juan Carlos guy shot 36% from the 3 and 85 at the FT with Memphis...

He was constantly triple/quadruple teamed, and played for the worst coach in NBA history. Curry's rookie year he was gift wrapped the winningest coach in NBA history and a stacked Warriors team. No one guarded Curry so he had open gym all season, while JCN was double teamed as soon as he stepped off the team bus.

[Miller for 3]

Sorry, but America produces both the most athletic and most skilled players in the World, and by a wide margin. Basketball in the States is incredibly popular at the street level; you can't go 2 blocks without finding a hoop. Our biggest weakness is our Amateur to Pro system, which consists of High School/AAU ball, and NCAA. Most kids aren't taught proper teamwork in High School/AAU, and then most don't spend more than a year in College. What you end up with is some very athletic and skilled players with little knowledge of how to play team basketball.

The ability of European players to turn pro at the age of 16 gives them about a 3 year head start on really learning how to play team basketball, which is where you see the largest advantage for European players and teams.

Cry more

EVEN WITH PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS, THE USA HAS ONLY WON 3 OF THE LAST 6 FIBA COMPETITIONS.

[Inferno]

Cry more

EVEN WITH PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS, THE USA HAS ONLY WON 3 OF THE LAST 6 FIBA COMPETITIONS.


EUROLEAGUE ALT? :biggums:

[Inferno]

He was constantly triple/quadruple teamed, and played for the worst coach in NBA history. Curry's rookie year he was gift wrapped the winningest coach in NBA history and a stacked Warriors team. No one guarded Curry so he had open gym all season, while JCN was double teamed as soon as he stepped off the team bus.

Curry's averages have consistently been better than JCN's. Not just one season, and not just NBA only.

[iamgine]

I've watched many Olympic matches between teams like USA vs other international teams like Spain or Lithuania etc...

I can safely say that the distinction between the better team is purely due to 2 things that is athleticism and defense.

USA's athletes are way more stronger, faster and they obviously jump higher. This in turn would translate to better defense. A good athlete doesn't necessary translate to a good defender but having athleticism are the necessary tools to be a elite defender.

This could be seen on the court in play when international teams make passes that are intercepted due to fast reaction and quick hands, or they are shut down when going for a layup simply because the defender gets up so high to block the ball.

In many aspects the international teams DO NOT LOSE based solely on skills alone. In fact, I dare say their passing and teamwork are top-notched and are better than USA teams. Their shooting is also remarkably better than most of the USA players with the exception of sharpshooters like Durant, Curry etc.

If these international players do hit the weight room rather than focusing 100% just on the court, I do see them being very close or on par to USA players....

Those are not the only advantage. There are also Americans having the finest league and basketball program in the world where they attract the best talents. Knife sharpens knife.

Team USA isn't that good though. I always maintain that Miami Heat or Indiana Pacers are a lot better. International teams aren't usually as good because they had very little time to train together. We see this in soccer too.

[gabepizza]

Cry more

EVEN WITH PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS, THE USA HAS ONLY WON 3 OF THE LAST 6 FIBA COMPETITIONS.

The USA has won 7 of the last 10 global basketball tournaments (World Championships and Olympics) which included NBA players.

[Miller for 3]

Curry's averages have consistently been better than JCN's. Not just one season, and not just NBA only.

Your tears are delicious.

Navarro plays in the Euroleague and ACB, far superior leagues with insane defenses (handchecking, no defensive 3 seconds, tiny courts so no space to navigate, huge defenders that dwarf the NBA's midget frontcourts (Bourosis, Tomic, Krstic, etc.). Shooting 40% from the Euroleague/ACB line is like shooting 50% from the NBA line. Sorry, Curry has never proven to be as good as Navarro at shooting. He is closer to Huertas (worst shooter on Barcelona) than Navarro

[HeatFanSince88]

the distinction between white american athletes and black american athletes is rhythm

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2011/0128/nfl_u_matthewsc1_576.jpg

[Inferno]

Your tears are delicious.

Navarro plays in the Euroleague and ACB, far superior leagues with insane defenses (handchecking, no defensive 3 seconds, tiny courts so no space to navigate, huge defenders that dwarf the NBA's midget frontcourts (Bourosis, Tomic, Krstic, etc.). Shooting 40% from the Euroleague/ACB line is like shooting 50% from the NBA line. Sorry, Curry has never proven to be as good as Navarro at shooting. He is closer to Huertas (worst shooter on Barcelona) than Navarro

Do you happen to be Euroleague's alt? :biggums:

Prove that the Euroleage > NBA. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_versus_Euroleague_games

[gabepizza]

Your tears are delicious.

Navarro plays in the Euroleague and ACB, far superior leagues with insane defenses (handchecking, no defensive 3 seconds, tiny courts so no space to navigate, huge defenders that dwarf the NBA's midget frontcourts (Bourosis, Tomic, Krstic, etc.). Shooting 40% from the Euroleague/ACB line is like shooting 50% from the NBA line. Sorry, Curry has never proven to be as good as Navarro at shooting. He is closer to Huertas (worst shooter on Barcelona) than Navarro

Yeah huge defenders that move like they are walking in quick stand. I know Krstic is a two time all-Euroleague 2nd teamer but last we saw him in the NBA he has averaging 8 mpg for the Celtic in the playoffs.

[ihoopallday]

Here's the sad part: Our teams don't even have to try that hard to dominate most of the international teams. :lol Most NBA regular season games are more competitive than those international games. The USA can just win on athleticism alone.

[Le Shaqtus]

Olympics is all that matters to us :confusedshrug:

[gts]

Juan Carlos Navarro

Dontaye Draper

I just picked two guys from Euroleague off the top of my head in like 2 seconds.

He said name me two better, not name me two guys who can't carry CP3's jock strap

[red1]

pretty big advantage wouldn't you say?

[KG215]

The sky is blue and Derrick Rose is socially awkward. Nothing new here.

Genetics and athleticism play a major role in the sport of basketball. With the US's population and diversity, it just isn't even fair in terms of competition.

Like RicKJames said, I respect guys a little more for their cerebral approach, ala Nash and Westbrook. Overcompensated for their lack of athleticism. Hell, this Russell dude is so damn ambitious and persistent, he managed to turn himself into one of the most athletic guys in the world. Couldn't even dunk in high school and had absolutely no skill. Dude is an international inspiration.
:roll:

I mean...come on.

[red1]

:roll:

I mean...come on.
:oldlol: budadii is growing on me

[KG215]

They win because they're faster and stronger. Not due to skills or smarts.
True. I mean of the guys in that picture, only Kobe, Durant, Carmelo, Love, CP3, and Deron can be categorized as good to elite "skilled" players. That's only 55% of the players in the picture. Hell, I know he gets by mostly with a freakish, never before seen combination of size and athleticism, but LeBron's a lot more skilled than I think he gets credit for being. And that'd make 64% of the players in the picture.

But you're right, the other four guys in that picture are mostly athletic, physical specimens (or just really young and undeveloped like Davis) whose skills need a lot of refining.

[KG215]

Olympics is all that matters to us :confusedshrug:
And even then, we can just look back at the 2010 WC when we sent our C team, with Lamar Odom playing center, and still won a gold medal with 21 year old Durant looking like he was back at Texas own kids.

[Rick James]

And even then, we can just look back at the 2010 WC when we sent our C team, with Lamar Odom playing center, and still won a gold medal with 21 year old Durant looking like he was back at Texas own kids.

Fast and tall. If Durant didn't have the athletic ability, he would be a spot up shooting bum.

[KG215]

Fast and tall. If Durant didn't have the athletic ability, he would be a spot up shooting bum.
A 6'10"-6'11" (in shoes) "bum" with a 7'4" wingspan and he'd still have really good handles for a guy that size, no? But sure, Durant is only really damn good because he's "fast and tall". And what about CP3? The best PG in the world who's only, maybe, 6'0" tall and is far from an elite athlete.

You're missing the point. Mostly, the USA's best players have a combination of elite size and athleticism for their position coupled with good to elite skills. They're a combination of the best. You act like team USA is sending a bunch of unskilled athletic freaks to every FIBA tournament.

[Rick James]

A 6'10"-6'11" (in shoes) "bum" with a 7'4" wingspan and he'd still have really good handles for a guy that size, no? But sure, Durant is only really damn good because he's "fast and tall". And what about CP3? The best PG in the world who's only, maybe, 6'0" tall and is far from an elite athlete.

You're missing the point. Mostly, the USA's best players have a combination of elite size and athleticism for their position coupled with good to elite skills. They're a combination of the best. You act like team USA is sending a bunch of unskilled athletic freaks to every FIBA tournament.

With the exception of CP3, and Kobe yes, mostly athletic players. Take away the speed and strength and they have nothing.

[Le Shaqtus]

With the exception of CP3, and Kobe yes, mostly athletic players. Take away the speed and strength and they have nothing.

So you're saying we're all stupid basically?

[KG215]

With the exception of CP3, and Kobe yes, mostly athletic players. Take away the speed and strength and they have nothing.
:oldlol:

Right, because the other guys in that picture -- Durant, Carmelo, Love -- would just be shit without speed and athleticism.

[Rick James]

So you're saying we're all stupid basically?

No, I am not saying that. You guys just aren't as smart as great players who lack athletic ability.

See, a failed defensive rotation assignment can be made up for due to your players athletic ability. While most great international teams actually understand defensive rotation assignments but may still get scored on because they can't jump high as fast as a LeBron.

On offence, It's about ball movement aswell as off the ball movement and scoring on well drawn out plays on the international team. While USA just scores on fastbreaks and multiple 1 on 1 ME ME shows and basic pick n Rolls.

[Rick James]

:oldlol:

Right, because the other guys in that picture -- Durant, Carmelo, Love -- would just be shit without speed and athleticism.

Wouldn't add Love in this bunch. The team didn't win mostly because of him, which is sad because he played on a team full of showboating like players. If Love had LeBron's athletic ability he would be the best player in the league.

[Swaggin916]

Yea you are right they do have an athletic advantage... and they do the other things just as well if not better. So yea that's why they are better.

[iamgine]

To say the only advantage is athleticism is quite okay. To say the other things are inferior is not correct. American players are not inferior in anything. In fact, they are superior in many other facet due to that athleticism. They can rotate better, play better defense, play better offense, take fundamentals to a whole new level. These are what athleticism allows them to do.

So we can actually write those as "The only advantage American players have are they are able to play better offense, better defense, better rebounds, better block shot, steal, better separation, quicker, faster, higher release, and generally just be much more effective basketball player."

[deja vu]

This Juan Carlos guy shot 36% from the 3 and 85 at the FT with Memphis...
Larry Bird had four seasons of below 30% 3-pt shooting.

Not saying that JCN is a better shooter than Curry.

[BoutPractice]

Hitting the weight room is overrated. The NBA is obsessed with strength but for very few players is it actually a comparative advantage they should develop. Durant, for instance, has no business turning himself into a bodybuilder.

[VIntageNOvel]

last year spurs (minus the choke) prove teamwork > athleticism

[Sakkreth]

last year spurs (minus the choke) prove teamwork > athleticism

If LeBron was athleticism only he wouldn't win shit, he's great team player.

[Jon_Koncak]

If american players' only advantage is athleticism then why are all african teams crap?Senegal national team for example has as much raw athletic ability as USA team.Put them in Olympics and they'd lose every game by 30+ points.

[Sakkreth]

If american players' only advantage is athleticism then why are all african teams crap?Senegal national team for example has as much raw athletic ability as USA team.Put them in Olympics and they'd lose every game by 30+ points.

Because they are way behind in skill. Their basketball programs are nowhere close to european or american ones.

[bingo123]

We all know that black people have huge advantage in basketball (just a fact). If there were 30+ million blacks livining in basketball countries in Europe (France, Spain, ex Yugoslavia,...) they would challenge USA easily. But since that is not the case USA dominates the world of basketball.

[iznogood]

Like RicKJames said, I respect guys a little more for their cerebral approach, ala Nash and Westbrook. Overcompensated for their lack of athleticism. Hell, this Russell dude is so damn ambitious and persistent, he managed to turn himself into one of the most athletic guys in the world. Couldn't even dunk in high school and had absolutely no skill. Dude is an international inspiration.
Russell Westbrook used to dunk all the time in high school. Gotta love him, he is without a doubt the best player in the league at the moment - maybe even in the whole world. And his fashion sense is sharp!

[Sakkreth]

Russell Westbrook used to dunk all the time in high school. Gotta love him, he is without a doubt the best player in the league at the moment - maybe even in the whole world. And his fashion sense is sharp!

:coleman:

[Lebron23]

If LeBron was athleticism only he wouldn't win shit, he's great team player.


This

Josh Smith and Gerald Green are also as athletic as LeBron, but they are not even a top 20 players in the NBA.

[Kovach]

Take away the speed and strength and they have nothing.
Take away the speed and strength and they would be decent Euroleague players. Your standard is ridiculously high. Nobody produces the players of Larry Bird's basketball IQ today. Not America, and most certainly not Europe. Europe can't even produce a player as good as Manu, ffs (intentionally counting him as an European player).

[madmax]

Cry more

EVEN WITH PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS, THE USA HAS ONLY WON 3 OF THE LAST 6 FIBA COMPETITIONS.

:applause: :cheers:
without PEDs american dumbass players are useless to begin with. Europeans always embarrassed these fools with team play and strategy

[ILLsmak]

They must be doing it wrongly then none of them look like this...This is the difference between USA and international:

http://cdn.necolebitchie.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Dwyane-Wade-Miami-Beach-2.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-At9oV2tPo/UAoVbg34KJI/AAAAAAAADTg/OBDXrgEnl1Y/s1600/Dwight-Howard.Body.png

nobody in the world looks like that without PEDs. I think everyone is so used to people being on PEDS (even at the local gym or in college) that they can't recognize someone with that sort of a body or they think certain people are "just athletes." haha

-Smak

[Nero Tulip]

I disagree. I think the US is just in a generation where they have a few basketball freaks but other than that the athletic gap isn't that big, especially with teams like Spain and France.

Guys like LeBron and Durant don't come often, while you have them you guys are going to win. Once they're out the US will lose again, the rest of your team is nothing special.

[Rooster]

:applause: :cheers:
without PEDs american dumbass players are useless to begin with. Europeans always embarrassed these fools with team play and strategy

Tyus Edney was like a blur against those slow as molasses Euros.:oldlol:

[Frozen1]

Yeah i wonder why USA is good in almost all sports, except soccer.

That may be because in soccer PED's don't help and don't mean shit.

[Rooster]

I disagree. I think the US is just in a generation where they have a few basketball freaks but other than that the athletic gap isn't that big, especially with teams like Spain and France.

Guys like LeBron and Durant don't come often, while you have them you guys are going to win. Once they're out the US will lose again, the rest of your team is nothing special.

:facepalm :facepalm


The worst Olympic basketball result we have was Bronze.:no:

And that's the only competition we care about outside NBA.

USA is not like some other countries which have golden generation.

Decade after decade

We always have great players

[SpanishACB]

that Wade picture... if you think that's not roids you have never hit the gym in your life or you did but to pick up girls or sm

plus, no one is saying Durant and Lebron are all athletism, they are hands down amongst the elite of the elite in all basketball aspects. However, USA wins by genes, not saying they couldn't win with a different kind of approach, but they would need to learn it most from scratch because right now, they lack many team play (offense and defense) fundamentals which are covered by their athletism.

[Rooster]

Hitting the weight room is overrated. The NBA is obsessed with strength but for very few players is it actually a comparative advantage they should develop. Durant, for instance, has no business turning himself into a bodybuilder.

No that's very important for big guys. Bynum did not became a force until he got stronger and put up a muscle tone.

[Nero Tulip]

We all know that black people have huge advantage in basketball (just a fact). If there were 30+ million blacks livining in basketball countries in Europe (France, Spain, ex Yugoslavia,...) they would challenge USA easily. But since that is not the case USA dominates the world of basketball.

Lots of European countries have lots of black people. They're not necessarily doing better.

Hey, America is huuuuuuge. It's playing against countries that are a fraction of its size. Your have a bigger pool of players, and basketball is more popular and you have the best league with the most money. It makes sense that you have an advantage (even if IMO European training is superior).

A better comparison would be American states vs European countries. Or America vs Europe.

[SpanishACB]

Lots of European countries have lots of black people. They're not necessarily doing better.



blacks =! afroamericans

[Fiba basketball]

To say the only advantage is athleticism is quite okay. To say the other things are inferior is not correct. American players are not inferior in anything. In fact, they are superior in many other facet due to that athleticism. They can rotate better, play better defense, play better offense, take fundamentals to a whole new level. These are what athleticism allows them to do.

So we can actually write those as "The only advantage American players have are they are able to play better offense, better defense, better rebounds, better block shot, steal, better separation, quicker, faster, higher release, and generally just be much more effective basketball player."

USA has players that are athletic and skilled like Durant or Kobe and they aren't inferior to European players when it comes to skill ( well they are when compered to some legendery players ) but Kobe and Durant are who they are because they have that kind of skill, your average USA player won't have that kind of skill but will have that kind of athleticism. Ofcourse not all of European players are that skilled but on average European player is more skilled just like average American player is more athletic.

[sportjames23]

http://repnvairadio.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/gold-medal-winners-usa-basketball-2012.jpg


:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Well played, bro. :cheers:

[Rooster]

Lots of European countries have lots of black people. They're not necessarily doing better.

Hey, America is huuuuuuge. It's playing against countries that are a fraction of its size. Your have a bigger pool of players, and basketball is more popular and you have the best league with the most money. It makes sense that you have an advantage (even if IMO European training is superior).

A better comparison would be American states vs European countries. Or America vs Europe.

Players from Los Angeles area are too much for other countries.:oldlol:

They will probably beat France 7-8 out of 10.:oldlol:

[Derka]

:oldlol:

Haters gonna hate.

[bingo123]

Lots of European countries have lots of black people. They're not necessarily doing better.

Yeah they do, but out of all countries outside of France that have lot of blacks are not interested in basketball.


Hey, America is huuuuuuge. It's playing against countries that are a fraction of its size. Your have a bigger pool of players, and basketball is more popular and you have the best league with the most money. It makes sense that you have an advantage (even if IMO European training is superior).

Thats my point

And I meant Europe as a whole would be on par with USA.

[Le Shaqtus]

We need another Bird-esque player to come along and prove that athleticism isn't everything.

[DuMa]

what do u think Spain was doing when they tried to insert Ibaka into their Olympic national team in 2012

[Vienceslav]

So you are basically saying that they only win because they are better at basketball.
Great point!:applause:

[Akhenaten]

last year spurs (minus the choke) prove teamwork > athleticism

Their best player is an athletic freak.

[KyleKong]

Where's Harden?

Didn't Harden immediately leave the court because he had to take a piss or something.

[Akhenaten]

They must be doing it wrongly then none of them look like this...This is the difference between USA and international:

http://cdn.necolebitchie.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Dwyane-Wade-Miami-Beach-2.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-At9oV2tPo/UAoVbg34KJI/AAAAAAAADTg/OBDXrgEnl1Y/s1600/Dwight-Howard.Body.png


for the guys saying this is roids, you can attain these this type of definition and mass through diet and exercise, (and in Wade's case great genes) especially Dwight's.

nothing about those guy's physiques screams steriods or HGH (this isnt to say they arent using mind you)

yall acting like Wade looks like this:

http://www.fadedindustry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/kali-muscle-bodybuilder.jpg

[KyleKong]

for the guys saying this is roids, you can attain these this type of definition and mass through diet and exercise, (and in Wade's case great genes) especially Dwight's.

nothing about those guy's physiques screams steriods or HGH (this isnt to say they arent using mind you)

yall acting like Wade looks like this:

http://www.fadedindustry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/kali-muscle-bodybuilder.jpg

People are idiots trying to find excuses why their hated players are so good.

Do you really think players like Wade, LeBron, Kobe, Howard, don't have hundreds of thousands of dollars to throw a personal trainers, dietitians, and other things to keep them in peak condition?

[SpanishACB]

for the guys saying this is roids, you can attain these this type of definition and mass through diet and exercise, (and in Wade's case great genes) especially Dwight's.

nothing about those guy's physiques screams steriods or HGH (this isnt to say they arent using mind you)

yall acting like Wade looks like this:

http://www.fadedindustry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/kali-muscle-bodybuilder.jpg


if the internet is your main source of information then i congratulate you for happily living in ignorance.

if you don't see roids in wade's picture you just don't know enough on the topic. and when i say enough i mean the basics.

[ZenMaster]

People are idiots trying to find excuses why their hated players are so good.

Do you really think players like Wade, LeBron, Kobe, Howard, don't have hundreds of thousands of dollars to throw a personal trainers, dietitians, and other things to keep them in peak condition?

Pretty naive of you to think that it's because they have a lot of money that they don't use HGH.

Going through a pro season you have to practice both individually and team practice, play games, do strength training, travel across the country on a weekly basis + other PR apperances.

On top of doing these things which is your regular workload, you are also expected to become better and add things to your game, working on new skills take time.

You have to be able to complete this program, perhaps every year for 10+ years" without breaking down with injuries.

So you need restitution in order for your body to recover and not break down, this is where the HGH comes into play.

[Akhenaten]

if you don't see roids in wade's picture you just don't know enough on the topic. and when i say enough i mean the basics.

Well educate me mr. smartypants, what in that pic screams steroids to you?

[Nero Tulip]

Players from Los Angeles area are too much for other countries.:oldlol:

They will probably beat France 7-8 out of 10.:oldlol:

The US are barely better than Spain alone, so I very much doubt that.

[Jon_Koncak]

US players are everywhere.From Venezuela to Norway,from Korea to Portugal.In every goddamn proffesional league you'll find hundrends of imports from america.Why?Because they know how to play.Most US players in europe are hardly what you'd call athletic freaks.Anthony Parker,Trajan Landgton,Pete Michael..legendary euroleague players and it wasnt their athletisim that made them stand out.When euro fans talk about euro players being better in passing or shooting they forget other aspects of the game,such as ball handling,creating off the dribble,offensive moves and in these a typical american player is vastly superior than a european one.USA just produces superior bball players than the rest of the world,like Argentina produces for example better soccer players than England despite both countries havin the same size.

[Rooster]

The US are barely better than Spain alone, so I very much doubt that.

That's because our players are not accustomed to FIBA game. If these games are at NBA rules, Spain would not stand a chance. Guys like Pau Gasol would have to be tough on getting those inside position if he was playing against guys like Chandler and we would not be force to play small and shoot jumpers. Lanes would be open and there will be more isolations on the weakside.

[abuC]

nobody in the world looks like that without PEDs. I think everyone is so used to people being on PEDS (even at the local gym or in college) that they can't recognize someone with that sort of a body or they think certain people are "just athletes." haha

-Smak


Uhh, what?

[abuC]

if the internet is your main source of information then i congratulate you for happily living in ignorance.

if you don't see roids in wade's picture you just don't know enough on the topic. and when i say enough i mean the basics.


:roll:

You can tell who doesn't work out, or has really bad genetics by these kind of responses.

Wade's body is easily attainable (relative to height) with 2-3 years of weightlifting, you don't need roids. My arms, shoulders and chest are considerably bigger than his and I've never taken any type of roid/hgh.

[Nero Tulip]

US players are everywhere.From Venezuela to Norway,from Korea to Portugal.In every goddamn proffesional league you'll find hundrends of imports from america.Why?Because they know how to play.Most US players in europe are hardly what you'd call athletic freaks.Anthony Parker,Trajan Landgton,Pete Michael..legendary euroleague players and it wasnt their athletisim that made them stand out.When euro fans talk about euro players being better in passing or shooting they forget other aspects of the game,such as ball handling,creating off the dribble,offensive moves and in these a typical american player is vastly superior than a european one.USA just produces superior bball players than the rest of the world,like Argentina produces for example better soccer players than England despite both countries havin the same size.

Actually if you knew what you were talking about, Parker was really athletic in his prime. But in any case so what? There are some good Americans in Europe, there are some good Europeans in the NBA, both groups have players skilled, unskilled, athletic or not... why do you think you made a point? :confusedshrug:

Again, bigger pool of players. You guys make up for it with your poor education, which is why you can barely beat countries a fraction of your size.

[Rooster]

Actually if you knew what you were talking about, Parker was really athletic in his prime. But in any case so what? There are some good Americans in Europe, there are some good Europeans in the NBA, both groups have players skilled, unskilled, athletic or not... why do you think you made a point? :confusedshrug:

Again, bigger pool of players. You guys make up for it with your poor education, which is why you can barely beat countries a fraction of your size.

Poor education.:facepalm

19 of world top 25 universities are in the US.:confusedshrug:

[Orlando Magic]

Sorry, but America produces both the most athletic and most skilled players in the World, and by a wide margin. Basketball in the States is incredibly popular at the street level; you can't go 2 blocks without finding a hoop. Our biggest weakness is our Amateur to Pro system, which consists of High School/AAU ball, and NCAA. Most kids aren't taught proper teamwork in High School/AAU, and then most don't spend more than a year in College. What you end up with is some very athletic and skilled players with little knowledge of how to play team basketball.

The ability of European players to turn pro at the age of 16 gives them about a 3 year head start on really learning how to play team basketball, which is where you see the largest advantage for European players and teams.

Stopped reading this thread here because everything you said was spot on. Everything else in this thread is guaranteed trash and going downhill.

[Nero Tulip]

Poor education.:facepalm

19 of world top 25 universities are in the US.:confusedshrug:

:facepalm

I'm talking about basketball education...

Besides I'm pretty sure your schools are shit and your universities are so expensive that a lot of people can't afford them or are in debt for years, so I'm not sure your education is so great either... At least you make great universities for foreigners, so, yeah, thank you for that.

[alexd]

Its a combination of things.First of all yeah the peds etc is true.But on the other side they got much better training stuff and they train them much better.I had a friends from Greece that went to a university in the US(can t remember which one)and they didn t let him eat fast food for 3 years.No wonder he got much better body
Plus the education system in the US motivates people to play more ball.In my country you get at the age of 17 and u give exams to what university you want to go.As a result most people i know drop basketball in order to study.And when you go to university if u want to graduate then you don t have much time for basketball anymore(i say that because i think in US you got scholarship for athletes etc.Here we only have for players that are in a national team)
Finally i don t mean to be racist or something but its no coincidence that most players in the USA team are black.They got the genes advantage,they are more athletic by nature.
People like kobe,lebron,etc that are considered the best in the NBA often travel etc because they lack fundamentals.Something like that is very rare in European basketball.We are trained from an early age to use our mind first.Sure there are some athletic players but not athletic freaks like dwight.Most players in the NBA are athletes first and then basketball players.There s nothing wrong with that but there lies the difference in european basketball and the nba.Its not like one league is better than another.Its a different philosophy.Its like a completely different game of basketball.In Europe you got more skilled players less athletic full of zones and not sacrificing the game for the sake of a show.NBA is the exact opposite they don t care so much about the rules of the game(they don t let you camp in the paint,no traveling etc)but they promote the show with highflyers
Of course there are always exceptions to the rules.Guys like Carmelo,cp3,kobe.I m not talking about them but the majority of the league

[outbreak]

America produces more athletic players that's true, but at the same time they produce a larger number of skilled players than europe does (due to a higher population playing, better access to pro coaches). A euro player is taught different skills and plays in a different style of league to the americans do and put the focus on different aspects of their game. You can't say that american players aren't as skilled though that's just being silly.

Also anyone who thinks the majority of pro sports in the world (especially basketball) don't have a large amount of banned substance use is just being naive. Seriously it's everywhere. Not everyone is taking muscle building stuff either, you can't just tell by looking at someone and your an idiot if you think you can, they take products for recovery, cardio functions and the like.

I have friends who've been involved/played in our national football league over here and they've told me a few things about the recent drug scandal we've had here and it's really only the tip of the iceberg. The leagues have no incentive to hide it, there is so much money involved that the only people who are caught are the ones who can't afford to hire proper trainers and mess up their cycles.

[Rooster]

:facepalm

I'm talking about basketball education...

Besides I'm pretty sure your schools are shit and your universities are so expensive that a lot of people can't afford them or are in debt for years, so I'm not sure your education is so great either... At least you make great universities for foreigners, so, yeah, thank you for that.

Basketball education:facepalm

So where do you think these guys learned to play ball

Walter Szczerbiak
Bob Morse
Mike D'Antoni
Anthony Parker
Galis
Brabender
Luyk

:confusedshrug: :confusedshrug:

You went oxymoron on our education. First you think our school is shit and expensive but you said we make great universities for foreigners. Like I said 19 of the top 25 world universities are from the US.

[Euroleague]

Sorry, but America produces both the most athletic and most skilled players in the World, and by a wide margin. Basketball in the States is incredibly popular at the street level; you can't go 2 blocks without finding a hoop. Our biggest weakness is our Amateur to Pro system, which consists of High School/AAU ball, and NCAA. Most kids aren't taught proper teamwork in High School/AAU, and then most don't spend more than a year in College. What you end up with is some very athletic and skilled players with little knowledge of how to play team basketball.

The ability of European players to turn pro at the age of 16 gives them about a 3 year head start on really learning how to play team basketball, which is where you see the largest advantage for European players and teams.

In most European countries there are laws that you can't even be professional until age 18.

[Euroleague]

Poor education.:facepalm

19 of world top 25 universities are in the US.:confusedshrug:

:lol :roll: :oldlol: :lol :roll:

[SamuraiSWISH]

It helps, but it isn't the only advantage. Stay salty foreigners, we grow up facing better competition, that's why we will always be superior.

Forget Andrew Wiggins, forget V [()] -Span ... none of them can mess with us. Even LeBron, people want to act like he isn't skilled. But the guy's passing abilities, versatility, and all around basketball skills are phenomenal.

If it was just a matter of athleticism, they'd all be Gerald Green.

[iznogood]

yall acting like Wade looks like this:

http://www.fadedindustry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/kali-muscle-bodybuilder.jpg
This guy never touched steroids, he said so in his documentary.

[The JKidd Kid]

http://repnvairadio.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/gold-medal-winners-usa-basketball-2012.jpg

Durant got a big ass head. :wtf:

[greymatter]

nobody in the world looks like that without PEDs.

I was able to easily pull that off with nothing but crappy whey protein supplements and a teenager type lousy diet of hamburgers and pasta. All it took was about 4-5 hours of weights and another 10 hours of jogging, swimming, elipticals per week.

Considering that these guys can afford professional trainers, nutritionists, and cooks that tailor diet and exercise routines for them, it's really not hard to achieve that kind of look (without PEDs), especially if you already have good genetics.




I think everyone is so used to people being on PEDS (even at the local gym or in college) that they can't recognize someone with that sort of a body or they think certain people are "just athletes." haha

-Smak

Some people can eat like starved wolves until they're 50 and still be lean as a rail even with minimal exercise while others can bust their asses and eat right while never cracking below 15% body fat. Sounds like you're jealous.

[Bandito]

I agree with OP. USA uses steroids and hide it well and that's why they are ahead.

[Bandito]

:facepalm :facepalm


The worst Olympic basketball result we have was Bronze.
:no:
And that's the only competition we care about outside NBA.

USA is not like some other countries which have golden generation.

Decade after decade

We always have great playersIn 2004 you guys placed 5 or 6th at the Olympics.

[gabepizza]

In 2004 you guys placed 5 or 6th at the Olympics.

Wrong! That was you. In 2004 the USA won a bronze medal.

You're probably thinking of the 2002 WC where the US placed 6th. Their worst finish ever in any basketball competition.

[Bandito]

Wrong! That was you. In 2004 the USA won a bronze medal.

You're probably thinking of the 2002 WC where the US placed 6th. Their worst finish ever in any basketball competition.
You're right, my bad. By you, do you mean PR?:lol

[gabepizza]

You're right, my bad. By you, do you mean PR?:lol

Yep. They lost to Spanoulis and Greece in the 5th place match (the last Olympics that they still had those placement games)

[Swaggin916]

nobody in the world looks like that without PEDs. I think everyone is so used to people being on PEDS (even at the local gym or in college) that they can't recognize someone with that sort of a body or they think certain people are "just athletes." haha

-Smak

That is just simply not true. I am sure they use supplements, but they are nowhere near big enough to say they are on PED's without a doubt. If I trained as hard as they do and had solid workout regimen that was about building muscle (as opposed to stability/flexibility) then I would look just as ripped as they do... no PED's required.