Comments on: Thanks to Spain and USA for a great basketball game http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/ European basketball Blog Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:36:05 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 By: dox http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6606 dox Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:53:18 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6606 the rules difference is huge, I played college basketball and have competed in international amateur competitions and it's one of the few things american's complain about when playing international ball. The refereeing is totally different (both usa and int'l are bad though) which only adds to the rules changes. If the American's fielded their C team, AND put them together and prepared the way they did for this Olympics, they would still win. Re Scott's post: the top team in the NBA probably could win Gold because they are a 'team'. Team USA still consists of guys put together that not only rarely play together but are also being asked to play a modified game. It's largely due to the differences between American and FIBA rules, it's the same reason that the VAST majority of Euros that come to the NBA turn into flops. For every Nowitzki, Parker, or Ginobili, I could name ten awful players an NBA team took a chance on because he showed promise in Europe. No doubt Int'l basketball is very strong and impressive to watch, but it's just different. We play by FIBA rules and still win because we have the best athletes plain and simple. We play at and above the rim more often than any other nation. One major reason Int'l won't ever be on the same level is because the majority Euro youth live and breathe football, not basketball. American youth live and breathe basketball, you go to playgrounds in America and see high level basketball, in Europe you see high level football. Bottom line is USA is still far ahead of the world because of the depth of their talent pool. But everybody has taken a huge step to catch up and now USA has to intensely prepare to win big... or at all. I live in Europe and watch a lot of Euro Ball, it really is a step slower, and 6 inches closer to the ground. I want to see the international all-stars vs USA Dox the rules difference is huge, I played college basketball and have competed in international amateur competitions and it’s one of the few things american’s complain about when playing international ball. The refereeing is totally different (both usa and int’l are bad though) which only adds to the rules changes.

If the American’s fielded their C team, AND put them together and prepared the way they did for this Olympics, they would still win. Re Scott’s post: the top team in the NBA probably could win Gold because they are a ‘team’. Team USA still consists of guys put together that not only rarely play together but are also being asked to play a modified game.

It’s largely due to the differences between American and FIBA rules, it’s the same reason that the VAST majority of Euros that come to the NBA turn into flops. For every Nowitzki, Parker, or Ginobili, I could name ten awful players an NBA team took a chance on because he showed promise in Europe.

No doubt Int’l basketball is very strong and impressive to watch, but it’s just different. We play by FIBA rules and still win because we have the best athletes plain and simple. We play at and above the rim more often than any other nation.

One major reason Int’l won’t ever be on the same level is because the majority Euro youth live and breathe football, not basketball. American youth live and breathe basketball, you go to playgrounds in America and see high level basketball, in Europe you see high level football.

Bottom line is USA is still far ahead of the world because of the depth of their talent pool. But everybody has taken a huge step to catch up and now USA has to intensely prepare to win big… or at all.

I live in Europe and watch a lot of Euro Ball, it really is a step slower, and 6 inches closer to the ground.
I want to see the international all-stars vs USA
Dox

]]> By: Patrick http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6594 Patrick Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:23:37 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6594 USA sent the best players available. For me, the best team would have been: Paul, Williams, Bryant, Wade, Pierce, LeBron, Carmelo, Garnett, Stoudemire, Bosh, Howard, Duncan (that is, I would not have chosen Kidd, Redd, Prince and Boozer). They are the best players. Only a team with the best (non-American) players of the world would have had chances. For example: Nash, Parker, Calderon, Ginobili, Rudy, Turkoglu, Deng, Stojakovic, Nowitzki, Kirilenko, Gasol, Ming. USA has enough players to make 4 or 5 rosters that would win the gold medal without problems: Paul, Iverson, Williams, Davis, Kidd, Billups, Miller, Arenas, Bryant, Wade, Carter, Iguodala, Martin, Roy, Maggette, Hamilton, LeBron, Carmelo, Marion, Butler, Pierce, Artest, McGrady, Stoudemire, Boozer, Garnett, Bosh, Jefferson, West, Odom, Brand, Howard, Duncan, Camby, Bynum, Chandler, O´Neal, etc. Nevertheless I have to say that Spain played very well and deserved the silver medal. USA players had to play at a 100% to beat Spain. USA sent the best players available. For me, the best team would have been: Paul, Williams, Bryant, Wade, Pierce, LeBron, Carmelo, Garnett, Stoudemire, Bosh, Howard, Duncan (that is, I would not have chosen Kidd, Redd, Prince and Boozer). They are the best players. Only a team with the best (non-American) players of the world would have had chances. For example: Nash, Parker, Calderon, Ginobili, Rudy, Turkoglu, Deng, Stojakovic, Nowitzki, Kirilenko, Gasol, Ming.
USA has enough players to make 4 or 5 rosters that would win the gold medal without problems: Paul, Iverson, Williams, Davis, Kidd, Billups, Miller, Arenas, Bryant, Wade, Carter, Iguodala, Martin, Roy, Maggette, Hamilton, LeBron, Carmelo, Marion, Butler, Pierce, Artest, McGrady, Stoudemire, Boozer, Garnett, Bosh, Jefferson, West, Odom, Brand, Howard, Duncan, Camby, Bynum, Chandler, O´Neal, etc.
Nevertheless I have to say that Spain played very well and deserved the silver medal. USA players had to play at a 100% to beat Spain.

]]> By: Alberto http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6539 Alberto Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:16:03 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6539 If you make travelling, or whatever it's said, it's an advantage por you, of course. You only have to play basketball to realize it. You can react faster than if you first have to put the ball on the floor, so you can scape from you defender easily, you can give 3 or 4 steps instead 2, like we do in Europe, and covering more ground. For example, US players got lots of 2+1 fault, they were always in movement, and in 2 steps more they were near the basket, and they did that 4 times in every game... Of course is an advantage. If you make travelling, or whatever it’s said, it’s an advantage por you, of course. You only have to play basketball to realize it. You can react faster than if you first have to put the ball on the floor, so you can scape from you defender easily, you can give 3 or 4 steps instead 2, like we do in Europe, and covering more ground. For example, US players got lots of 2+1 fault, they were always in movement, and in 2 steps more they were near the basket, and they did that 4 times in every game… Of course is an advantage.

]]> By: Alberto http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6495 Alberto Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:45:49 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6495 I guess if Americans moves toward Europeans, they will be less powerfull. In all the tournament, the referees dind't call travelling never... They could hit in defense anytime they wanted... And that's a huge advantage for the Americans, but... I don't think this years those different rules were a handicap for US players; in fact, I think they even got benefits... I guess if Americans moves toward Europeans, they will be less powerfull. In all the tournament, the referees dind’t call travelling never… They could hit in defense anytime they wanted… And that’s a huge advantage for the Americans, but… I don’t think this years those different rules were a handicap for US players; in fact, I think they even got benefits…

]]> By: DTC http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6493 DTC Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:40:56 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6493 Can some of you help me understand this "US players travel without getting called" thing? Watching many of the Olympic games, I never noticed it, perhaps because I've been conditioned by how NBA calls its traveling violations. What do NBA players routinely do that should be traveling in FIBA rules? If you have links to video, that would be even better. And a separate question - does being able to get away with travel give the US an unfair advantage? Because after all, they weren't calling Spain for traveling either. So would it be a better game if the US lost because it gets called for travel 15-20 times? Can some of you help me understand this “US players travel without getting called” thing? Watching many of the Olympic games, I never noticed it, perhaps because I’ve been conditioned by how NBA calls its traveling violations.

What do NBA players routinely do that should be traveling in FIBA rules? If you have links to video, that would be even better.

And a separate question – does being able to get away with travel give the US an unfair advantage? Because after all, they weren’t calling Spain for traveling either. So would it be a better game if the US lost because it gets called for travel 15-20 times?

]]> By: Scott http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6438 Scott Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:39:54 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6438 Congrats to the U.S.!!! Despite the world catching up, you still have the greatest pool of basketball players in the world by far. It is good to see you can learn from your past mistakes, adjust your outlook and adapt. (it took you long enough) I don't think that was the best "team" could have put together - but it was sure an impressive collection of talent. I still believe the U.S. has enough talent to field 3 teams and win gold, silver and bronze (assuming they could play as a "team"). You could just put the Boston Celtics out there as team #3. Anyways - Spain, you played amazing. I couldn't believe eyes watching Spain score at will, over and over again. Navarro was amazing! Too bad he couldn't do that night in and night out in the NBA. I can't wait to see "little Gasol" in the NBA. I still think in a 7 game series, Spain could only manage to win 1 game against that US team. But in a one game series anything could happen. One thing no one talks much about here is the disparity among the rules in FIBA and the NBA (traditionally a huge handicap for NBA players in international tournaments) Do you think with the efforts to move them closer together it makes the U.S. even more powerful? Congrats to the U.S.!!!
Despite the world catching up, you still have the greatest pool of basketball players in the world by far. It is good to see you can learn from your past mistakes, adjust your outlook and adapt. (it took you long enough)

I don’t think that was the best “team” could have put together – but it was sure an impressive collection of talent.

I still believe the U.S. has enough talent to field 3 teams and win gold, silver and bronze (assuming they could play as a “team”). You could just put the Boston Celtics out there as team #3.

Anyways – Spain, you played amazing. I couldn’t believe eyes watching Spain score at will, over and over again. Navarro was amazing! Too bad he couldn’t do that night in and night out in the NBA. I can’t wait to see “little Gasol” in the NBA.

I still think in a 7 game series, Spain could only manage to win 1 game against that US team. But in a one game series anything could happen.

One thing no one talks much about here is the disparity among the rules in FIBA and the NBA (traditionally a huge handicap for NBA players in international tournaments)

Do you think with the efforts to move them closer together it makes the U.S. even more powerful?

]]> By: carlos http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6431 carlos Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:30:43 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6431 No doubt it has probably been the best basketball game I've ever seen. I was amazed of the speed the game had, the intensity. There was only one way Spain could beat the US team and it was the way they did it. But... when you play against the best players in the world you have all the number to loose. Just say congratulations to US! And we will meet again in Turkey 2010! No doubt it has probably been the best basketball game I’ve ever seen. I was amazed of the speed the game had, the intensity. There was only one way Spain could beat the US team and it was the way they did it. But… when you play against the best players in the world you have all the number to loose.
Just say congratulations to US! And we will meet again in Turkey 2010!

]]> By: Phileus http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6430 Phileus Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:17:48 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6430 Ah yes I understand, and I only hope that USA Basketball does not start to think like that itself, or else the next few tournaments will be sad to watch again! Ah yes I understand, and I only hope that USA Basketball does not start to think like that itself, or else the next few tournaments will be sad to watch again!

]]> By: Alberto http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6428 Alberto Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:39:42 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6428 Phileus, "I’m glad the rest of the world is catching up to us.USA won 8 games by an average of 28 points.Is this catching up ? Lets face it, the only reason that game was close is because Team USA were overconfident and bored", by Big Daddy. I wrote that about "Unbeatable Team USA" answering to that man, not the whole U.S.A. country, do you understand? Phileus, “I’m glad the rest of the world is catching up to us.USA won 8 games by an average of 28 points.Is this catching up ? Lets face it, the only reason that game was close is because Team USA were overconfident and bored”, by Big Daddy. I wrote that about “Unbeatable Team USA” answering to that man, not the whole U.S.A. country, do you understand?

]]> By: Álvaro http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6427 Álvaro Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:51:57 +0000 http://www.ballineurope.com/countries/spain/thanks-to-spain-and-usa-for-a-great-basketball-game/#comment-6427 Strategy is also a big part of this game. I mean, what's the differencia between playing Australia or Croatia on quarter finals? And between playing Argentina or Lithuania in semifinal? No such difference... so why should you fight to death in a group game? We knew we have a few chances, by playing some way to US... but we had to be claver, we don't want to show our cards to them. We were quite confidents to be on the Olympic Final (respect to Lithuania and other temas) and then try to do our best. big daddy and king kobe, this is not about be a coward, it's about know the right time to show your chances. I don't really think americans were bored on the final game... 8/11 three point shoot on second quarter! looking to Kobe's face during and after the game, he looked more excited than bored. We did the best we could, we played the best basketball we could, and we were closed to the win. I just have to enjoy our effort and say: Congratulations US Strategy is also a big part of this game. I mean, what’s the differencia between playing Australia or Croatia on quarter finals? And between playing Argentina or Lithuania in semifinal? No such difference… so why should you fight to death in a group game?

We knew we have a few chances, by playing some way to US… but we had to be claver, we don’t want to show our cards to them. We were quite confidents to be on the Olympic Final (respect to Lithuania and other temas) and then try to do our best.

big daddy and king kobe, this is not about be a coward, it’s about know the right time to show your chances. I don’t really think americans were bored on the final game… 8/11 three point shoot on second quarter! looking to Kobe’s face during and after the game, he looked more excited than bored.

We did the best we could, we played the best basketball we could, and we were closed to the win. I just have to enjoy our effort and say: Congratulations US

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