International teams play a better brand of basketball than USA

If the Americans didn't have an athletic advantage over these squads, they'd be getting blown out of the building.

The game against Lithuania sparked these thoughts in me, but make no mistake about it.. I've felt this way for a while. I should also mention that I'm a Yank myself (born and raised in upstate New York). It's been over the course of several international competitions that I've come to this conclusion (which isn't hard to see)..

While the USA players are better individually (and they are), they seem to be entirely lacking in the fundamental concept of moving the ball. Of finding the open man.

Other countries are constantly looking to pass. The ball finds its way to cutters and open shooters. In contrast, the Americans over dribble for one-on-one moves that lead to contested jumpers.

I found myself rooting for Lithuania because the Americans are maddening to watch. To see the Lithuanian's make brilliant, crisp passes and smart decisions with the ball, immediately followed by a Gay/Durant/Rose/etc taking 10 dribbles then pulling up for 3... I mean, rooting for the other side was something I couldn't help but do.

Anyone else feeling the same?

I feel the same way too. Although I seen on some occasion the Lithuanian tries too hard to force a pass and lead to a turnover.

Anyway, the NBA has evolved into a league which puts more emphasis and spotlight on individual capabilities and performance. That's why our players aren't trained or rather, can't be trained to play like other international teams.

Team > Player

I have been saying this for years and if it wasn't for the Americans athleticisim and talent they get beat everytime. Fundamentals and passing the ball doens't exist with USA basketball, not since '92 and in Beijing.

I blame Kobe Bryant for not being on the team. If he and Kidd was on the team we would sing a different tune. Kobe is the last of a dying breed, who played in the 90's, who also possess man fundamental skills.

This USA team is young and if Kobe was on the team, we wouldn't be having this discussion. He is the only player that can adjust his game to international play. 4th quarter of the gold medal game comes to mind.

Hopefully, Kobe will be on the team, if not, just his presence there would do wonders for this young team.

No I do not.

I'm sick of all this USA bashing.

The US won the game and all everyone can do is point to the US's faults....what about Lithuania's faults? Why haven't they been mentioned?

The only players on Team USA with extensive FIBA experience are who? Billups and Odom?

The rest of the players are adjusting to a new form of ball after being told to do things a certain way for their short careers....it takes some adjusting to.

Americans have skills, we know how to pass and set screens and move without the ball, and we are the best basketball nation in the world.

The thing is in my mind is that some people don't like watching young, talented, and brazen young black men play ball.

Cool.

But don't act like team USA is more athletic because of natural ability and we have no skill.

Other teams would be more athletic if they spent more time in the weight room....some of these guys are dedicated and hard working...they weren't born ripped.

We run and play good defense so we don't have to implement as much offense because we probably have to worst cohesiveness in the tournament....again, not the player's fault.

[QUOTE=Go Getter]No I do not.

I'm sick of all this USA bashing.

The US won the game and all everyone can do is point to the US's faults....what about Lithuania's faults? Why haven't they been mentioned?

The only players on Team USA with extensive FIBA experience are who? Billups and Odom?

The rest of the players are adjusting to a new form of ball after being told to do things a certain way for their short careers....it takes some adjusting to.

Americans have skills, we know how to pass and set screens and move without the ball, and we are the best basketball nation in the world.

The thing is in my mind is that some people don't like watching young, talented, and brazen young black men play ball.

Cool.

[B]But don't act like team USA is more athletic because of natural ability and we have no skill.

Other teams would be more athletic if they spent more time in the weight room....some of these guys are dedicated and hard working...they weren't born ripped.[/B]

We run and play good defense so we don't have to implement as much offense because we probably have to worst cohesiveness in the tournament....again, not the player's fault.[/QUOTE]

No, other teams would be just as athletic if they had as many athletic black players.

[QUOTE=ZenMaster]No, other teams would be just as athletic if they had as many athletic black players.[/QUOTE]

trolling as usual.

:facepalm

[QUOTE=TheLogo]I have been saying this for years and if it wasn't for the Americans athleticisim and talent they get beat everytime. Fundamentals and passing the ball doens't exist with USA basketball, not since '92 and in Beijing.

I blame Kobe Bryant for not being on the team. If he and Kidd was on the team we would sing a different tune. [B]Kobe is the last of a dying breed, who played in the 90's[/B], who also possess man fundamental skills.

This USA team is young and if Kobe was on the team, we wouldn't be having this discussion. He is the only player that can adjust his game to international play. 4th quarter of the gold medal game comes to mind.

Hopefully, Kobe will be on the team, if not, just his presence there would do wonders for this young team.[/QUOTE]

That's funny, yesterday you mentioned several times that you thought the '90's was one of the weakest eras.

Back on topic, a team of champions is never as good as a champion team.

[QUOTE=ZenMaster]No, other teams would be just as athletic if they had as many athletic black players.[/QUOTE]


If you look at a lot of international players it doesn't look as if they put much work in their physiques. Even when they get to the league they aren't as strong as they need to be.

My point was that all of it [physicality] isn't due to your race/color it's due to hard work.

My belief is that more foreigners would be able to play "NBA brand ball" if they hit the weights more.

[QUOTE=Go Getter]If you look at a lot of international players it doesn't look as if they put much work in their physiques. Even when they get to the league they aren't as strong as they need to be.

My point was that all of it [physicality] isn't due to your race/color it's due to hard work.

My belief is that more foreigners would be able to play "NBA brand ball" if they hit the weights more.[/QUOTE]

USA = lifting weights

International = working on their game

USA may not play together like a complete team like some FIBA contenders like Spain or Argentina but they are for sure contenders. USA doesnt have team chemistry like those teams but they will make up for it by effort, speed and defense.

USA has been a completely different brand of basketball for several years now apart from the contenders of FIBA/Olympic tournaments. And a new team for USA is just not going to magically form into a FIBA team after a month of playing together. Why do we still criticize them using this old ass 4-5 year old logic? i do not know. It may be an inferior 'brand' but its still an effective 'brand'. Who cares how good a team looks by crisp passing and chemistry, if you can get fcuking shit done. Outside of 04 and 06 when they didnt get gold and got bronze instead, USA has been successful everytime in FIBA play. USA is just going to try to win everytime playing their style. its the only style they know how to play.

[QUOTE=TheLogo]USA = lifting weights

International = working on their game[/QUOTE]


Wait, so that means American ball players don't work on their game as well?

Lifting weights IS working on your game sir, when you lift weights and train your first step, lift, ability to post/set screens/ hold position, etc all get better.

[QUOTE=DuMa]
USA has been a completely different brand of basketball for several years now apart from the contenders of FIBA/Olympic tournaments. And a new team for USA is just not going to magically form into a FIBA team after a month of playing together. Why do we still criticize them using this old ass 4-5 year old logic? i do not know. It may be an inferior 'brand' but its still an effective 'brand'. Who cares how good a team looks by crisp passing and chemistry, if you can get fcuking shit done. Outside of 04 and 06 when they didnt get gold and got bronze instead, USA has been successful everytime in FIBA play. USA is just going to try to win everytime playing their style.[/QUOTE]


Exactly.

People underestimate the difficulty of adjusting to FIBA and a new group of teammates.

Notice how the Liths crisp passing and cutting got them beat by a team that is not near our best.

[QUOTE=Go Getter]Wait, so that means American ball players don't work on their game as well?

Lifting weights IS working on your game sir, when you lift weights and train your first step, lift, ability to post/set screens/ hold position, etc all get better.[/QUOTE]

All that is fine and dandy but basketball is a game of improvise, I would rather have a player that lifts and work on his game.

If I had to choose one, I rather a plaeyr work on his skills. It will help with his creativity.

Let me give you an example, so you can relate to what I am saying.....

Kareem....very skillful and creative....you can count on him to score and improvise.

Dwight Howard....power lifter, benches like a mad man, squats like Superman and jumps out of the gym...no natural basketball ability.

Heck, I am more natural to the game of basketball than he is...at least I have a "go-to" move.

[QUOTE=Go Getter]If you look at a lot of international players it doesn't look as if they put much work in their physiques. Even when they get to the league they aren't as strong as they need to be.

My point was that all of it [physicality] isn't due to your race/color it's due to hard work.

My belief is that more foreigners would be able to play "NBA brand ball" if they hit the weights more.[/QUOTE]

It's ignorant not to believe it has a great deal to do with body genetics. There's plenty of weightlifting done on European basketball teams.

What about all the great white players from the US, where are they?
Doesn't white Americans lift weights as much as the black ones? Don't they put as much overall work in as the black guys?
Are the white players in the US not as good as the black ones? Why is that?
Is it because of the great inner city basketball programs that the US consists mostly of black players?
Why are the best white players in the NBA from Europe?
Where are your white American 7-footers who's got skill like Nowitzki and Pau? Surely there must be some big white players who have talent and have the time to hit the weight rooms as much as the black American players? Or doesn't the American youth development system work for white players? If so, why not?

[QUOTE=ZenMaster]It's ignorant not to believe it has a great deal to do with body genetics. There's plenty of weightlifting done on European basketball teams.

What about all the great white players from the US, where are they?
Doesn't white Americans lift weights as much as the black ones? Don't they put as much overall work in as the black guys?
Are the white players in the US not as good as the black ones? Why is that?
Is it because of the great inner city basketball programs that the US consists mostly of black players?
Why are the best white players in the NBA from Europe?
Where are your white American 7-footers who's got skill like Nowitzki and Pau? Surely there must be some big white players who have talent and have the time to hit the weight rooms as much as the black American players? Or doesn't the American youth development system work for white players? If so, why not?[/QUOTE]

it never seems to surprise me that this troll keeps bringing up race.

:facepalm

negged for racism.