I don't have any reservations or concerns about NBA players (stars or role players otherwise) heading over seas to play in International Professional leagues, I applaud it and champion the effort. Kobe, LeBron and others if your thinking about it, keep considering it and if the vote was up to me I would vote YES and Kobe, Lebron and whoever else is considered a NBA elite player would be on the next plane to Italy, Greece and Eastern Europe to spread the basketball wealth
To think the best players and basketball is being played here in America and the NBA is ludicrous. Even with the U.S.A. winning the gold in Beijing, its no longer a foregone conclusion that the best 'ball' is in North America because ITS NOT. International players have better Skill sets and there team discipline is far superior to anything that is being put out in the States. Yes, there are a good 8 to 10 teams in the NBA that play at a high level and have great team chemistry but the rest of the league is pedestrian, arrogant and consist of overplayed spoiled players
I'm wishful this small influx of NBA players overseas continues to grow and maybe within the next 10 to 12 years the quality of basketball being played here in America will improve because hopefully these current defected NBA players will come back home and spread the good word and skill level of international ball to the young kids who are being introduced to basketball for the first time. And when these young kids become of age and are considering playing in the NBA, they will do so with a re-freshed sense of Pride and Skill which wil in-turn make the league better to watch, overall. Long live the NBA in 2018!
I am the guy that potentially predicted a bronze or silver medal for the U.S.A. and they proved me wrong, good for them, can't hate--the Americans took care of business but with that being said the ball-skill play in the NBA is mediocre....if u need proof tune in to a Knick, Clipper, Grizzlie, Sixers, Bucks game from last season or any season before that....shall I go on
The best basketball IS NOT being played in North America?
Is that a "joke" or are you just not used to basketball?
Or do you just not live in the U.S.?
Thats like saying the best football (not futbol) players all play in Europe?
Knicks, Clippers, Grizzlies, Sixers, Bucks? Would have absolutely no problems handling even the best Euro teams.
18% of NBA players are foreign born, of that 60% are from Europe. So 10% percent of the best players in the world come from Europe to play in the NBA. And those are the best of the best of the best of the best Europe has to offer and the same goes for the other 8% of the international players.
And you cant include those players as basis for your example because they play in the NBA and live in North America. So what you are left with is, well, the leftovers?
So do you mean to tell me that a Euro Club team without a Dirk Nowitzki, a Tony Parker, a Pau Gasol, etc, since like I said they play in the NBA, would even compete with even the worst NBA team? And you cant use the best club teams as a model because their competition is lousy. Thats why Europeans dont send club teams to the Olympics.
Get it?
As if a Euro Club team is more well prepared, well trained, better coached, and managed than your averaged NBA team. Are you delusional?
That is a "joke" right?
If "Flopping" was an international sport, than you wouldnt get an argument from me. International players are "Thee best" in the world at it.
Last edited by tcbdog on September 2nd at 12:01 AM.
I have no problem with the American players pursuing their interests, and quite frankly I wish they'd do it just so the ground will open up and #### David Stern...As for your asinine assertion that the best basketball is not being played in the U.S...LOL! Dude, these "international teams" you speak of, are competing with the U.S. only because their best players play professionally where? Argentina's best players...Scola, Ginobli...where do they play? Spain's best players...Gasol...Now Rudy Fernandez...THEY PLAY IN NORTH AMERICA FOOL. The only appeal to going overseas is money...Euros...and kinky #### groupies who would gladly break out in group sex and S&M displays on double decker buses.
I can't seem to wrap my brain around the fact u guys think the NBA represents good basketball...that league has some of the worst skilled ball players in the world...let me define skills for you fools who are in some kind of b-ball funk just because we just won the Gold medal in Beijing.
Skills equal this: 1. Dribble with effectiveness with both hands 2. Make a lay-up with both hands on either side of the hoop 3. Hit a consistent 20 to 25 ft. jumper 4. Play great sound defense by moving your feet first....must I go on.....
American b-ball players generally have very few of these skills (THE AND-1 B-BALL has some to do with this as well) so in turn they play crappy ball, just because European players come here to play ball doesnt necessarily mean the NBA is the best league....the most exposure is here in the NBA so playes come over--it aint about the money--europe pays well
The best sound skilled players in the NBA are mainly international players plain and simple--if u want to debate that we can....AND PLEASE STOP ARGUING THE FACT THE BEST BALL IS BEING PLAYED IN THE STATES, PLEEEEASE....The Atlanta Hawks made the playoffs last year with a below-average record and came within one game of beating the eventual NBA Champions Boston Celtics in the first round...the NBA is JOKE!
You sound a little bitter. The NBA is far more entertaining. If the best ball isnt being played here than where is it you think its being played? We play 3 times as many games in our season as they do. I just dont think you're right about Euroball being more skilled.
bitter? no, discouraged? yes..hopefully the nba is in a upswing but i don't see it and if somebody can explain to me who and how please do....the 'best ball' title might not have a title at all any part of the world but the 'best skilled' title remains in europe
Players in Europe are better because of dribbling? With both hands? Because they can make a layup? Because they dont miss 25 foot jumpers?
Ahhhh Haaaaaah!
Maybe they should just play Horse!
Unfortunatly over here you have to dribble, make layups and jumpshots while NBA players are trying to prevent you from doing that.
As for defense and since the best European players are in the NBA, name one Euro in the past three seasons on any 1st or 2nd Team All Defenses.
You have no clue as to how Eurpeans play except from the Olympics in which they were torched by Team USA.
And up until 2004 and 2006 the US has dominated on every single international stage from the Olympics to the FIBA tournaments.
So how would you ever expect to prove what you are saying is even remotley true.
Besides your opinion in which you have absolutely no basis or model for coming up with one.
What do you have?
Name three players that play in Europe, are European that are better than any player on any of the past 5 years worth of any All NBA Team 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
And dont give me Rudy Fernández either because like I said before, playing lousy competition isnt a scale to compare.
Euro league is a small step up from college.
Last edited by tcbdog on September 4th at 1:04 AM.
the good ole U.S.A. was beat in international play in every tourney before this year, you have to go back to 2000 (and they sucked that year as well but they squeaked out a gold) since the last time we held up a gold medal.
Int'l players are better team players and have better individual skills than American ball players in general...If u still don't believe look at the NBA Spurs who have dominated the last 10 years--they have done so with int'l ball players that make up mostly 1/2 there roster
TCBdog u write as if you have knowledge of the NBA but u apparently don't because ur arguing as if there has been quality ball in the NBA over the last 10 years---the NBA is a very avg. league, starting this past season it seems to be getting better--slowly
Int'l players don't have to make all-NBA or all-defense to be considered superior skilled players..its all about what u bring to ur team as an individual talent
I'll take a young teenage ball player who's played in the european leagues b4 i take a 1 & done teenage player who left a american college to turn pro
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