tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post9008451390724728605..comments2024-03-22T05:48:26.129-05:00Comments on Braves & Birds: Feel the Euro!Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365733949431139562noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-26661763492724387322008-06-16T08:36:00.000-05:002008-06-16T08:36:00.000-05:00The Dutch are back !Holland - Italy 3 - 0Holland -...The Dutch are back !<BR/><BR/>Holland - Italy 3 - 0<BR/><BR/>Holland - France 4 - 1<BR/><BR/>Hup Oranje Hup Oranje !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-8924320718875821372008-06-02T10:20:00.000-05:002008-06-02T10:20:00.000-05:00Is Arragones still managing the Spain?I've not bee...Is Arragones still managing the Spain?<BR/><BR/>I've not been impressed in their past performances on the international stage. 4-nil blowouts over overwhelmed African nations and failure to score against more disciplined sides.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-50868347505505578142008-06-02T09:53:00.000-05:002008-06-02T09:53:00.000-05:00John, I readily admit that it's not a fully-develo...John, I readily admit that it's not a fully-developed idea. And I'll also say that race may have something to do with it, but it's not that simple. There's a system in American basketball that doesn't exist in Europe and South America - AAU/Youth Development. Coaching in this system drives specialization, and "standing out", to garner more attention from scouts or shoe reps. It's not the same in Europe, where most young players sign with a team early on, and the team has different motivations and incentives at improving the player's skills and versatility. <BR/><BR/>Does race have something to do with it? I'm sure it does, but I don't know how it works. In fact, most of these (admittedly inchoate) thoughts I have came from reading Paul Shirley's book on being a pro basketball vagabond (playing in the NBA/ABA/CBA and several Eurpoean leagues). Read that and you might get more of what I'm trying to say.LDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08416468186977171781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-85818834764496449402008-06-01T13:12:00.000-05:002008-06-01T13:12:00.000-05:00Also, most American basketball players are white. ...Also, most American basketball players are white. Most <I>professional</I> American basketball players are black. <BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>Note: Previous post deleted due to flipping black/white in the paragraph.chghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08299359954137090528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-49136544341502458452008-06-01T13:10:00.000-05:002008-06-01T13:10:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.chghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08299359954137090528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-17871099669404038072008-06-01T13:09:00.000-05:002008-06-01T13:09:00.000-05:00I too am sure the post has nothing to do with skin...I too am sure the post has nothing to do with skin color, so I'm puzzled why you would interject it into the discussion. <BR/><BR/>I think ld's analysis is faulty, but international big men are certainly noted for better passing and shooting skills than their American counterparts.chghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08299359954137090528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-91650178120640325802008-05-31T22:48:00.000-05:002008-05-31T22:48:00.000-05:00Id, way to generalize about ALL American basketbal...Id, way to generalize about ALL American basketball players. Nice comparison too. Do you not realize that the few Euros and South Americans that play in the NBA are the absolute creme de la creme of their leagues? <BR/><BR/>I'm sure your comparison has NOTHING to do with the fact that most American players are black and most Euros/South Americans are white.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-74044907689263356592008-05-31T22:44:00.000-05:002008-05-31T22:44:00.000-05:00Dude, you didn't believe me the first time about M...Dude, you didn't believe me the first time about Michelle Obama. It's coming on Monday. Check this site then.<BR/><BR/>http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/05/31/breaking-news-michelles-whitey-problem/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-51161987650752913852008-05-30T08:49:00.000-05:002008-05-30T08:49:00.000-05:00In re: "I'm not sure that there are any US sports ...In re: "I'm not sure that there are any US sports in which our playing style represents anything about our nation...other than the fact that we play our own games and that is emblematic of American exceptionalism.", I have a poorly formed thought...<BR/><BR/>I think basketball is actually emblematic of certain American qualities - specialization and bull-headed individualism. Foreign players (especially European players, but also the South Americans) diversify their skills - big men develop jump shots and ball-handling skills - while their American counterparts focus on performing their one role (specialized skills for a certain position). Maybe there's some connection to a Henry Ford manufacturing line for the American players. Or just that Americans do what is in front of them, while Europeans seek to do more? The other thing is bull-headed individualism. How many times have you seen an American basketball player clear out and try a one-on-one against a defender, with no real advantage, just because he wants to show off skills? How often have you seen the other 4 players on the team clearing out into space, hoping to get the ball to try the same thing? It's not team basketball, it rarely works as well as movement away from the ball and passing, but that demands cooperation and shared responsibility. Americans prefer "I did it my way" to "let's do this together", even when it's less successful. <BR/><BR/>Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. But that's the sport I think best shows how an "American" style can develop.LDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08416468186977171781noreply@blogger.com