Europeans dominating the NBA?

**NaptownKnight** · June 17, 2007, 08:45 PM

If one were to look at this past NBA season one would see something rather peculiar: European dominance. Not only did Dirk Nowitzki, the German born All-Star, win the MVP, but Tony Parker, who is French, won the NBA Finals MVP. The team who won the NBA championship is comprised of many forgeighn players, including several Europeans. Finally, the best basketball player in the world grew up playing basketball in Italy (Kobe Bryant btw). My point? IDK just seems funny

.

**JP226** · June 17, 2007, 09:45 PM

Well, technically most Americans have euro roots.

**mrmouth** · June 17, 2007, 11:02 PM

Fundamental no-flash all substance basketball, thats why Europeans are doing so well in the NBA. Our American players are brats, they are taught fundamentals but they would simply rather play to impress the ladies and the scouts. Most of them would be shooting each other on th streets looking for the quick buck if they didn't get a full ride into college and have their diapers changed for all four years.

The game is fast changing though, has been for about 5 years. At this point Id much rather watch two European teams duke it out instead.

**morteduzionism** · June 19, 2007, 09:02 AM

[quote=BarnabyJones;1865889]

Fundamental no-flash all substance basketball, thats why Europeans are doing so well in the NBA.

could it be that they[euros] know how to play basketball? besides, if you want to blame something blame ESPN and the NBA itself. both organizations have deemphasized the need for 'skills' in the sport and aggrandized 'flash'...that's what was marketable and it made the league money.

the NBA is a business(period) its goal is to make money. and while you're lauding over the 'euro-game' this past Finals was one of the lowest rated in history, if not the lowest, and San Antonio is considered the most boring team in the league. so while the euro game might be fundamentally sound and make for better team play it falls short in the most important category in US sports: how does it look on TV.

So if you enjoy fundamental basketball so much you may have to seek a new venue, maybe HS basketball or Classic NBA or something...

Our American players are brats, they are taught fundamentals but they would simply rather play to impress the ladies and the scouts.

this is the US! what's more important than the ladies and the scouts? unless, gods forbid, you think they should love the game for the sake of the game

this is a societal problem: what is considered important in this society. the base individualism that permeates all aspects of this country, the misplaced values of the players you're referring to, is only one example out of many.

Most of them would be shooting each other on th streets looking for the quick buck if they didn't get a full ride into college and have their diapers changed for all four years.

this is just lowbrow.

The game is fast changing though, has been for about 5 years. At this point Id much rather watch two European teams duke it out instead.

I imagine the game will be completely taken off the TV soon. Put on cable or Direct TV or something, that euro game simply won't generate enough interest to support the game in it's current manifestation.

edit: just like boxing was. who remembers ABC having boxing on every weekend? now it's only pay-per-view.

**LegionnaireX** · June 19, 2007, 02:08 PM

So if you enjoy fundamental basketball so much you may have to seek a new venue, maybe HS basketball or Classic NBA or something...

Or college. I enjoy college basketball much more the NBA. Very little showboating but still great and exciting to watch.

**morteduzionism** · June 19, 2007, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by LegionnaireX

Or college. I enjoy college basketball much more the NBA. Very little showboating but still great and exciting to watch.

college basketball is head, shoulders and heels above the NBA...it's simply no comparison...

re: showboating in the NBA- I think it should be mentioned that until recently 'Zone Defense' was not allowed in the NBA so a player, who wanted to score, almost always had to be able to beat his man off the dribble...in essence it required high level individual skills...so an NBA team is usually comprised of players who were historically the 'go-to' man for their respective pre-pro teams(whether for scoring or a defensive stop) at their positions...i don't think players get to th NBA and say "im about to show my arse"...the NBA simply wasn't a "team" game...

**ShangTang** · June 17, 2007, 11:12 PM

Steve Nash was Canadian. Eh?

**MadBurgerMaker** · June 17, 2007, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by ShangTang

Steve Nash was Canadian. Eh?

And Timmy Duncan is from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

**ShangTang** · June 18, 2007, 12:49 PM

Well that's still U.S. soil.

**MadBurgerMaker** · June 18, 2007, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by ShangTang

Well that's still U.S. soil.

Yes. Definitely not Europe. Some excellent basketball players are still produced on this side of the planet.

I like what the NBA did for a few teams this last preseason. San Antonio, Phoenix, Philly, and the Clippers went over to Europe and played some games there. Yes, it was during the preseason, so you have that...preseason...type of rotation for the NBA teams, but the idea was pretty cool. It would be interesting if they could arrange some "real" games after the Finals between some of the better Euro teams and some NBA playoff teams (perhaps the champs?) that are playing at the top of their game. I doubt the players would go for it, but hey...

**NaptownKnight** · June 18, 2007, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by MadBurgerMaker

Yes. Definitely not Europe. Some excellent basketball players are still produced on this side of the planet.

I like what the NBA did for a few teams this last preseason. San Antonio, Phoenix, Philly, and the Clippers went over to Europe and played some games there. Yes, it was during the preseason, so you have that...preseason...type of rotation for the NBA teams, but the idea was pretty cool. It would be interesting if they could arrange some "real" games after the Finals between some of the better Euro teams and some NBA playoff teams (perhaps the champs?) that are playing at the top of their game. I doubt the players would go for it, but hey...

Or they could send the Indiana Pacers and scare away all the potential fans

. I know basketball is becoming more popular in Europe, it's the exact opposite of soccer in terms of scoring and can be way more exciting to watch. Maybe they could put another NBA sponsored league in Europe, with home grown players.

**Kanaric** · June 18, 2007, 07:45 PM

There are a few people from the Argentinian national team as well.

**Trey** · June 18, 2007, 07:47 PM

Fundamentals aren't as stressed as much in the US.

**xxax** · June 19, 2007, 05:22 AM

The problem is that NBA basketball has nearly a different sport than European Basketball.

Nba is about the show. Euro is about the game.

**NaptownKnight** · June 19, 2007, 04:35 PM

Most teams are trying to go Phoenix style now, which is exciting to watch. But the NBA will never fade from our hearts, people will always watch it.

**Cyrus the Virus** · June 20, 2007, 09:52 AM

I actually own a Notwitzki sweater, bought in in Bulgaria last summer, my cousin bought the Bryant sweater shortly after...

**NaptownKnight** · June 20, 2007, 10:20 AM

Id just like to note that European basketball is not conventional, or old school in any way. Their style of play puts emphasis on zone defense and 3 point shooting, not really old school or fundamental. When speaking of individual players you can say they do emphasize the fundamentals more but as a team the Euros play much differently then say the fundamentally sound San Antonio Spurs.