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Europe versus USA: what's the real difference

August 13, 2008

With the Gold Medal of Argentina in the 2004 Olympics, the dominance of the United States since the apparition of the NBA players in 1992 has come to an end. I wanted to know how big the difference between Europe and the United States is in reality in the Olympic competition.

So I checked the average results of the United States in the Olympic competitions since 1992. When it comes to the Group stage, the results of the United States are positive so far: 20-2. The average difference between the US and its opponents have however dramatically decreased. In 1992, the original Dream Team won its group games by an average difference of 45.8 points. In 1996, the difference was reduced to 35.4 and in 2000 it was back to 28.4. With the Olympic Games of 2004, the Team USA saw its first losses in the group phase and so the average difference was only 5.8 points.

When you check the results of the group phase of Team USA only against the teams from Europe, the average difference comes back from 39 in 1992, over 26.5 in 1996, 16.3 in 2000 to 1 point difference in 2004.

The results of the Medal round are also showing the current trend between both continents. In 1992, Team USA won its games in the Medal round by a average difference of 41 points. In 1996, this difference was only 25.7 points while in 2000, the other nations were there until the last minutes and lost only by an average of 9 points. In 2004, USA lost in the semi-finals against Argentina but the average difference was still positive with +1.

Now how will this end up this year? So far, Team USA only played against China and Angola and won by 26 points of difference in average. This is difference they had against ALL teams in 2000. The losses in 2004 as well as during the 2002 and 2006 World Championships show that Europe has closed the gap. But even smaller Basketball nations like Angola and China are coming closer and stay in the race now for one half of the game. So with the upcoming games against Germany, Greece and especially Spain, we could see this average difference drop considerably. And the Gold Medal round is far from being won when the defending champions Argentina or the sharpshooting Croatians are waiting.

Aug 13, 2008ballineurope
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This post was published on August 13, 2008
Buongiorno Dan Dickau!Jose Calderon responds to Spanish controversy
Comments: 4
  1. Sot
    17 years ago

    ” And the Gold Medal round is far from being won when the defending champions Argentina or the sharpshooting Croatians are waiting.”

    Who says argentina and Croatia will be awaiting in the medal round. If I’m correct, these teams will have to face Spain and Greece. Tough luck for them.

    I guess, Greece and Spain are going to be best match for them. But no need to worry, cause whatever the results in the comming days, these teams will be stronger in later fases. Perhaps the Lithuanians can surprise.

    ReplyCancel
  2. Alberto
    17 years ago

    If USA finish their group stage in the second position, they will have to face Croatia or Argentina for sure, man…

    ReplyCancel
  3. Scott
    17 years ago

    I hope one day the NBA and FIBA use the same rules so arguments like this actually have more meaning.

    For the U.S. to be still considered a favorite despite the vastly diefferent rules they are used to is pretty impressive to me.

    I don’t think the importance of the rule difference gets much talk here.

    I am sure it affects some of the euro and s. american players in the NBA, but at least they grew up playing FIBA rules.

    Good news is that it looks like FIBA and the NBA see the disconnect as well and are trying to move in the right direction.

    ReplyCancel
  4. dox
    17 years ago

    Looking back, this article is hilarious. Most people here in Europe, Spain in particular, had no idea what was coming. Great game by Spain in the Gold, but seriously the Euros think way too high of their basketball.
    dox

    ReplyCancel

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ballineurope
17 years ago 4 Comments FIBA, MoreTeam Argentina, Team Croatia, Team Lithuania, Team Spain, Team USA
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