West Coast Connection Forum
Lifestyle => Sports & Entertainment => Topic started by: Now_Im_Not_Banned on October 17, 2006, 04:39:52 PM
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Maccabi Tel-Aviv vs. NBA (http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/sports/basketball/15777841.htm)
Maccabi Tel Aviv is a long way from home, but it will have fans tonight at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio where they play the Cavaliers tonight. The Jewish community has purchased large numbers of tickets. One of the strongest teams in the Euroleague, Maccabi beat the Toronto Raptors in Toronto last October. But since then has lost two superstars, Anthony Parker (Raptors) and Saraunas Jasikevicius (Pacers) to the NBA. The team has lost all three games to NBA teams on the current tour.
"I don't know anything about them,'' LeBron James said. "It is just another preseason game we'll prepare the same way for it.''
So, James isn't impressed, OK. Some of the Maccabi players aren't impressed with him either. "For me, LeBron is just another great player,'' Maccabi's Derrick Sharp told Israeli media. "I played against Anthony Parker numerous times during practices and I don't see any differences.''
LOL...Looks like the NBA doesn't have EVERYONE brainwashed.
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Maccabi Tel-Aviv vs. NBA (http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/sports/basketball/15777841.htm)
Maccabi Tel Aviv is a long way from home, but it will have fans tonight at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio where they play the Cavaliers tonight. The Jewish community has purchased large numbers of tickets. One of the strongest teams in the Euroleague, Maccabi beat the Toronto Raptors in Toronto last October. But since then has lost two superstars, Anthony Parker (Raptors) and Saraunas Jasikevicius (Pacers) to the NBA. The team has lost all three games to NBA teams on the current tour.
"I don't know anything about them,'' LeBron James said. "It is just another preseason game we'll prepare the same way for it.''
So, James isn't impressed, OK. Some of the Maccabi players aren't impressed with him either. "For me, LeBron is just another great player,'' Maccabi's Derrick Sharp told Israeli media. "I played against Anthony Parker numerous times during practices and I don't see any differences.''
LOL...Looks like the NBA doesn't have EVERYONE brainwashed.
LMAO! Comparing Lebron to Anthony Parker! LMAO! The Raps should start Fred Jones over Anthony Parker anyways so if hes not better than Fred Jones I really doubt he's as good as LJ lol.
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Maccabi Tel-Aviv vs. NBA (http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/sports/basketball/15777841.htm)
Maccabi Tel Aviv is a long way from home, but it will have fans tonight at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio where they play the Cavaliers tonight. The Jewish community has purchased large numbers of tickets. One of the strongest teams in the Euroleague, Maccabi beat the Toronto Raptors in Toronto last October. But since then has lost two superstars, Anthony Parker (Raptors) and Saraunas Jasikevicius (Pacers) to the NBA. The team has lost all three games to NBA teams on the current tour.
"I don't know anything about them,'' LeBron James said. "It is just another preseason game we'll prepare the same way for it.''
So, James isn't impressed, OK. Some of the Maccabi players aren't impressed with him either. "For me, LeBron is just another great player,'' Maccabi's Derrick Sharp told Israeli media. "I played against Anthony Parker numerous times during practices and I don't see any differences.''
LOL...Looks like the NBA doesn't have EVERYONE brainwashed.
LMAO! Comparing Lebron to Anthony Parker! LMAO! The Raps should start Fred Jones over Anthony Parker anyways so if hes not better than Fred Jones I really doubt he's as good as LJ lol.
LOL@Fred Jones being better than Anthony Parker...Anthony Parker might not be LeBron, but he is definitely a higher-profile player than Fred Jones, he's done amazing things in Europe Jones can only dream of...PeACe
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LeBron is the best player in the league IMO. Im getting into fantasy leagues right now and every league has him ranked at #1. There is no way you can compare Anthony Parker to LBJ....But there is also no way Fred Jones will start over Parker. The starters are going to be
TJ Ford
Mo Pete
Parker
Bosh
Nesterovic
Fred Jones might have a break out year with Toronto this season, but it will most likely be off the bench. BTW, I know its only pre-season but Toronto's bench is doing some amazing things. Look out for the Raptors this year. Remember that!
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LeBron is the best player in the league IMO.
LMAO!!!!!
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Tel Aviv dude getting his panties in a bunch over LeBron's statement :D
"just another"
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LMAO@anyone placing LeBron over Kobe. :-X
Kobe was ranked the number 1 fantasy player for this season, some site might have LeBron over Kobe for rebounds and assists, but LMFAO@anyone actually using fantasy leagues to determine who's the best. Simply mind-boggling.
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Well the way I see it, LeBron has better stats overall than Kobe. And I would rather have LeBron on my team than Kobe. I know its hard for some of you Laker fans to digest, but thats just the way I see it.
LeBron will be even better this year. Last year, 31, 7rpg and 6 assists is pretty crazy for his age. I bet his rebounds and assists will go up this year.
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LeBron is the best player in the league
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
::catches breath::
haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
and to further elaborate that thought.....
HA!
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you guys should lay off PLANT for thinking that, obviously he thinks Kobe is a good player
who cares who is better
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Opinions are opinions... LBJ has to accomplish what Kobe already did... when LBJ is able to play with intensity on both ends of the court, play some vintage 4th quarters, hit some crazy buzzer beaters.. then let's talk. Don't get me wrong LBJ is very good but not as great as the medias say he's
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Perfect example....NBA 2K7 has Kobe, Wade, and Lebron at 98....when it should be 98, 96 95 or even 98 97 96. Too bad they don't have "killer instinct" and "clutch" as some of their rating categories..
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Perfect example....NBA 2K7 has Kobe, Wade, and Lebron at 98....when it should be 98, 96 95 or even 98 97 96. Too bad they don't have "killer instinct" and "clutch" as some of their rating categories..
wouldn't matter. ive seen an article where they rated lebron as more clutch than kobe. the kid is good, but he's so overhyped its amazing sometimes
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Anthony Parker is one of them players who made the history of European Basketball like Sabonis, Danilovic, Ginobili, Jasikevicius, Stojakovic, Marcus Brown..
Those players are seen as God's, here in Europe. Cause they were so damn good that they were like the Michael Jordan's of Europe.
Parker is no doubt the best player in Europe of the last 3-4 years, a fantastic SG capable of doing everything great, with a great basketball IQ and great skills.
I fucking love him: like i said to me he's like the Michael Jordan of European Basketball.
So that's why i understand the Maccabi player talking like that about him.
I'm sure a lot of fans here in Europe consider Anthony P as one of the best SG in the world.
Obviously LeBron is on a whole different planet.
But i got nothing but love and respect for Parker, a true champion and a great player.
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Anyway i really don't get it how you americans handle your business.
You have a Free Agent like Anthony Parker and you spend money and time over 17 years old who can do 1/10 of the things Parker can?
How is it possible that nobody better than the Raps (no disrespect) made a good offer to him?
Shit i'd take Paker over 3/4 of the last draft.
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Anyway i really don't get it how you americans handle your business.
You have a Free Agent like Anthony Parker and you spend money and time over 17 years old who can do 1/10 of the things Parker can?
How is it possible that nobody better than the Raps (no disrespect) made a good offer to him?
Shit i'd take Paker over 3/4 of the last draft.
GM's have a fascination on this thing called "upside"
Alot of us American fans are baffled by it too.
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Yeah but i really don't get it how can you prefeer a player like... i don't know... Andrea Bargnani (let me talk about him since i'm italian and i know him) over 10-15 other players who plays in Europe and who dominates the game more than him. I'll make a name: Garbahosa (i hope it's written correctly), from Spain. That guy is a great veteran, he's a winner, he's been playing great in Europe from years, but they chosed a bench player from Benetton Treviso just cause he can shoot 3's and dunk at 18 years old? What's the big deal about it? I'd take a player with great basketball IQ and experience over him any day of my life. I'm not saying Bargani sucks, but i don't get it how you americans are so excited about young prospects while you don't give real good players enought chances TOO. Expecially since those players are Free Agents after 3 years, so there's a big risk you can loose them. And expecially since it's very dangerous to give them long contracts, since they can get injured and you can waste millions on them (see Penny, Houston, Vin Baker, etc..). Just select the best available AT THE MOMENT and make a good team NOW.
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Well the way I see it, LeBron has better stats overall than Kobe. And I would rather have LeBron on my team than Kobe. I know its hard for some of you Laker fans to digest, but thats just the way I see it.
LeBron will be even better this year. Last year, 31, 7rpg and 6 assists is pretty crazy for his age. I bet his rebounds and assists will go up this year.
LOL. That's funny, you pick a player because they have better rounded numbers (not better stats overall), you woulda' picked David Robinson over Michael Jordan in the early 90's? And where does defense come into play? You're fucking ridiculous, even LeBron knows his game isn't close to as perfected as Bryant's...You don't watch basketball. Anyone who watched both LeBron and Kobe play last season knows the difference...Not only did you bitch out of a bet like a fucking punk with no word, but you also bitched out of admitting Kobe is the best. Congrats!
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Perfect example....NBA 2K7 has Kobe, Wade, and Lebron at 98....when it should be 98, 96 95 or even 98 97 96. Too bad they don't have "killer instinct" and "clutch" as some of their rating categories..
That's how the league wants it, they want to have a new wave of superstars leading the league. they don't wanna cherish a once-in-a-lifetime player like Kobe and proclaim him at the top, where he obviously belongs... it's no fun for them that way... :-\
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Anyway i really don't get it how you americans handle your business.
You have a Free Agent like Anthony Parker and you spend money and time over 17 years old who can do 1/10 of the things Parker can?
How is it possible that nobody better than the Raps (no disrespect) made a good offer to him?
Shit i'd take Paker over 3/4 of the last draft.
Oh, he got offers, they've been trying to get him in the NBA for years now...he was just waiting for the right offer, he wanted promised minutes, etc...I guess he just liked what the Raptor franchise had to offer most...PeACe
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Yeah but i really don't get it how can you prefeer a player like... i don't know... Andrea Bargnani (let me talk about him since i'm italian and i know him) over 10-15 other players who plays in Europe and who dominates the game more than him. I'll make a name: Garbahosa (i hope it's written correctly), from Spain. That guy is a great veteran, he's a winner, he's been playing great in Europe from years, but they chosed a bench player from Benetton Treviso just cause he can shoot 3's and dunk at 18 years old? What's the big deal about it? I'd take a player with great basketball IQ and experience over him any day of my life. I'm not saying Bargani sucks, but i don't get it how you americans are so excited about young prospects while you don't give real good players enought chances TOO. Expecially since those players are Free Agents after 3 years, so there's a big risk you can loose them. And expecially since it's very dangerous to give them long contracts, since they can get injured and you can waste millions on them (see Penny, Houston, Vin Baker, etc..). Just select the best available AT THE MOMENT and make a good team NOW.
You see what's happening in the NBA the last couple of years right? The NBA used to be a man's game. You also needed to know how to shoot and have other skills. Now all someone has to do is bull their way through the lane and then they're sent to the line. An athletic freak with minimal skills is more valuable than a fundamentally sound player that can shoot because that athletic freak can just bull their way though the lane and get bailed out with a trip to the line. No more hand checking, no more contact at all.
Look at what happened to team USA in the world championship without the NBA's biased officiating, loss. Why was Carmelo Anthony the best player for us? Because he can actually shoot the basketball and can operate on the low block.
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True.
You need to sign european coaches who can actually teach how to play zonal defence.
Or more NCAA coaches who can learn fundamentals.
And you def need some experienced european (i mean players who plays in Europe, even americans) stars to help you raise your game.
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The difference is that European style of play is not very physical and the defense is A LOT looser, you can make it simply by being a good spot-up shooter. Here, in the US, our players are much bigger, stronger built, and play a more physical brand of basketball. That's why fundamentals alone wont get you very far in the NBA and thats why a lot of Euroleague stars flop when they get over here...PeACe
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The difference is that European style of play is not very physical and the defense is A LOT looser, you can make it simply by being a good spot-up shooter. Here, in the US, our players are much bigger, stronger built, and play a more physical brand of basketball. That's why fundamentals alone wont get you very far in the NBA and thats why a lot of Euroleague stars flop when they get over here...PeACe
Well Stern is doing everything he can do rid the NBA of any physical play. I was watching an old NBA game, Celtics vs Pistons from 1988 and the play was 10 times more physical back then than now. Stern is making the NBA soft.
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The difference is that European style of play is not very physical and the defense is A LOT looser, you can make it simply by being a good spot-up shooter. Here, in the US, our players are much bigger, stronger built, and play a more physical brand of basketball. That's why fundamentals alone wont get you very far in the NBA and thats why a lot of Euroleague stars flop when they get over here...PeACe
Well Stern is doing everything he can do rid the NBA of any physical play. I was watching an old NBA game, Celtics vs Pistons from 1988 and the play was 10 times more physical back then than now. Stern is making the NBA soft.
Very true, you can actually say he's trying to "Europeanize" the game...
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The difference is that European style of play is not very physical and the defense is A LOT looser, you can make it simply by being a good spot-up shooter. Here, in the US, our players are much bigger, stronger built, and play a more physical brand of basketball. That's why fundamentals alone wont get you very far in the NBA and thats why a lot of Euroleague stars flop when they get over here...PeACe
I disagree with the fact in Europe the defense is A LOT looser (maybe it's me not understanding it: do you mean it's basically worse?). Here in Europe it's simply a team-defence and not a man-defence like there in the US. Here it's a team-game, with 5 players involved in defence. And if there's a guy who can't defend well 1-on-1 against his opponent they use zonal defence and double-teams to help him. I think here we play REAL defence (look at my National team, Italy. No players has the physique and the skills to defend 1-on-1 on Americans, but we did a wonderful team-defence against you guys, and we won), while there in the NBA it's everything so raw, so physical, so uncoached, so 1on1. That's why you prefeer a big man with a great physique who can't shoot or pass the ball to European players who can do everything but maybe they don't have the physique to face a big man 1on1. But imo you should try a good european coach, there. Somebody who can actually learn a team how to defend as a team. So that it could be possible with the right time to introduce those very skilled players from all over the world in the NBA. If you teach the team how to support them, they'll make the difference. Like they do in international games. Let's say i'd love an European team to play in the NBA. Just to show you how the game can be played in a different way.
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The difference is that European style of play is not very physical and the defense is A LOT looser, you can make it simply by being a good spot-up shooter. Here, in the US, our players are much bigger, stronger built, and play a more physical brand of basketball. That's why fundamentals alone wont get you very far in the NBA and thats why a lot of Euroleague stars flop when they get over here...PeACe
I disagree with the fact in Europe the defense is A LOT looser (maybe it's me not understanding it: do you mean it's basically worse?). Here in Europe it's simply a team-defence and not a man-defence like there in the US. Here it's a team-game, with 5 players involved in defence. And if there's a guy who can't defend well 1-on-1 against his opponent they use zonal defence and double-teams to help him. I think here we play REAL defence (look at my National team, Italy. No players has the physique and the skills to defend 1-on-1 on Americans, but we did a wonderful team-defence against you guys, and we won), while there in the NBA it's everything so raw, so physical, so uncoached, so 1on1. That's why you prefeer a big man with a great physique who can't shoot or pass the ball to European players who can do everything but maybe they don't have the physique to face a big man 1on1. But imo you should try a good european coach, there. Somebody who can actually learn a team how to defend as a team. So that it could be possible with the right time to introduce those very skilled players from all over the world in the NBA. If you teach the team how to support them, they'll make the difference. Like they do in international games. Let's say i'd love an European team to play in the NBA. Just to show you how the game can be played in a different way.
Ummm...You guys play zone defense because your individual defense is weaker...It's much easier to drive to the hoop or pull up for an open J in the Euroleagues...Zone defense doesn't work in the NBA, we intoduced the rule allowing it a few years ago and it's rarely used...A euroleague team would absolutely get mashed on in the NBA...PeACe
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The difference is that European style of play is not very physical and the defense is A LOT looser, you can make it simply by being a good spot-up shooter. Here, in the US, our players are much bigger, stronger built, and play a more physical brand of basketball. That's why fundamentals alone wont get you very far in the NBA and thats why a lot of Euroleague stars flop when they get over here...PeACe
I disagree with the fact in Europe the defense is A LOT looser (maybe it's me not understanding it: do you mean it's basically worse?). Here in Europe it's simply a team-defence and not a man-defence like there in the US. Here it's a team-game, with 5 players involved in defence. And if there's a guy who can't defend well 1-on-1 against his opponent they use zonal defence and double-teams to help him. I think here we play REAL defence (look at my National team, Italy. No players has the physique and the skills to defend 1-on-1 on Americans, but we did a wonderful team-defence against you guys, and we won), while there in the NBA it's everything so raw, so physical, so uncoached, so 1on1. That's why you prefeer a big man with a great physique who can't shoot or pass the ball to European players who can do everything but maybe they don't have the physique to face a big man 1on1. But imo you should try a good european coach, there. Somebody who can actually learn a team how to defend as a team. So that it could be possible with the right time to introduce those very skilled players from all over the world in the NBA. If you teach the team how to support them, they'll make the difference. Like they do in international games. Let's say i'd love an European team to play in the NBA. Just to show you how the game can be played in a different way.
Ummm...You guys play zone defense because your individual defense is weaker...It's much easier to drive to the hoop or pull up for an open J in the Euroleagues...Zone defense doesn't work in the NBA, we intoduced the rule allowing it a few years ago and it's rarely used...A euroleague team would absolutely get mashed on in the NBA...PeACe
I don't think so. Give teams like CSKA Moscow or Maccabi Tel Aviv a couple of draft picks and the money NBA teams make to invest on players/training/machines etc.. and i'm sure they'll do better than a lot of average teams in the NBA. Don't understimate them. Like i said you can defend against the "Dream Team" with zonal defence pretty well. Didn't you see it in the last 5-6 years? They just need to make a competitive team mixed with Americans and they'll be hella ready to do great things in the NBA. Plus all the European stars would prefeer to play there than in an American team. To stay close to home. It's a nice idea imo.
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The difference is that European style of play is not very physical and the defense is A LOT looser, you can make it simply by being a good spot-up shooter. Here, in the US, our players are much bigger, stronger built, and play a more physical brand of basketball. That's why fundamentals alone wont get you very far in the NBA and thats why a lot of Euroleague stars flop when they get over here...PeACe
I disagree with the fact in Europe the defense is A LOT looser (maybe it's me not understanding it: do you mean it's basically worse?). Here in Europe it's simply a team-defence and not a man-defence like there in the US. Here it's a team-game, with 5 players involved in defence. And if there's a guy who can't defend well 1-on-1 against his opponent they use zonal defence and double-teams to help him. I think here we play REAL defence (look at my National team, Italy. No players has the physique and the skills to defend 1-on-1 on Americans, but we did a wonderful team-defence against you guys, and we won), while there in the NBA it's everything so raw, so physical, so uncoached, so 1on1. That's why you prefeer a big man with a great physique who can't shoot or pass the ball to European players who can do everything but maybe they don't have the physique to face a big man 1on1. But imo you should try a good european coach, there. Somebody who can actually learn a team how to defend as a team. So that it could be possible with the right time to introduce those very skilled players from all over the world in the NBA. If you teach the team how to support them, they'll make the difference. Like they do in international games. Let's say i'd love an European team to play in the NBA. Just to show you how the game can be played in a different way.
Ummm...You guys play zone defense because your individual defense is weaker...It's much easier to drive to the hoop or pull up for an open J in the Euroleagues...Zone defense doesn't work in the NBA, we intoduced the rule allowing it a few years ago and it's rarely used...A euroleague team would absolutely get mashed on in the NBA...PeACe
I don't think so. Give teams like CSKA Moscow or Maccabi Tel Aviv a couple of draft picks and the money NBA teams make to invest on players/training/machines etc.. and i'm sure they'll do better than a lot of average teams in the NBA. Don't understimate them. Like i said you can defend against the "Dream Team" with zonal defence pretty well. Didn't you see it in the last 5-6 years? They just need to make a competitive team mixed with Americans and they'll be hella ready to do great things in the NBA. Plus all the European stars would prefeer to play there than in an American team. To stay close to home. It's a nice idea imo.
Dude, I know Maccabi Tel-Aviv more than anyone on this board, my family is from Tel-Aviv, and I know they're a GREAT team, the best in Europe, but they would get STOMPED ON in the NBA...In fact, didn't you see them lose each and every game in their pre-season NBA tour this year? Where they were obvioulsy playing their hardest and the NBA teams obviously weren't, but they still managed to lose by a large margin in every game...It's just two different games man, and European teams wouldn't hang...Of course, toss Dwyane and LeBron and Carmelo together on a team and they'll lose to a REAL team who actually know how to play together and prepare for that sort of thing. But that still don't mean Euroleague would survive in the NBA...PeACe
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The difference is that European style of play is not very physical and the defense is A LOT looser, you can make it simply by being a good spot-up shooter. Here, in the US, our players are much bigger, stronger built, and play a more physical brand of basketball. That's why fundamentals alone wont get you very far in the NBA and thats why a lot of Euroleague stars flop when they get over here...PeACe
I disagree with the fact in Europe the defense is A LOT looser (maybe it's me not understanding it: do you mean it's basically worse?). Here in Europe it's simply a team-defence and not a man-defence like there in the US. Here it's a team-game, with 5 players involved in defence. And if there's a guy who can't defend well 1-on-1 against his opponent they use zonal defence and double-teams to help him. I think here we play REAL defence (look at my National team, Italy. No players has the physique and the skills to defend 1-on-1 on Americans, but we did a wonderful team-defence against you guys, and we won), while there in the NBA it's everything so raw, so physical, so uncoached, so 1on1. That's why you prefeer a big man with a great physique who can't shoot or pass the ball to European players who can do everything but maybe they don't have the physique to face a big man 1on1. But imo you should try a good european coach, there. Somebody who can actually learn a team how to defend as a team. So that it could be possible with the right time to introduce those very skilled players from all over the world in the NBA. If you teach the team how to support them, they'll make the difference. Like they do in international games. Let's say i'd love an European team to play in the NBA. Just to show you how the game can be played in a different way.
Ummm...You guys play zone defense because your individual defense is weaker...It's much easier to drive to the hoop or pull up for an open J in the Euroleagues...Zone defense doesn't work in the NBA, we intoduced the rule allowing it a few years ago and it's rarely used...A euroleague team would absolutely get mashed on in the NBA...PeACe
I don't think so. Give teams like CSKA Moscow or Maccabi Tel Aviv a couple of draft picks and the money NBA teams make to invest on players/training/machines etc.. and i'm sure they'll do better than a lot of average teams in the NBA. Don't understimate them. Like i said you can defend against the "Dream Team" with zonal defence pretty well. Didn't you see it in the last 5-6 years? They just need to make a competitive team mixed with Americans and they'll be hella ready to do great things in the NBA. Plus all the European stars would prefeer to play there than in an American team. To stay close to home. It's a nice idea imo.
Dude, I know Maccabi Tel-Aviv more than anyone on this board, my family is from Tel-Aviv, and I know they're a GREAT team, the best in Europe, but they would get STOMPED ON in the NBA...In fact, didn't you see them lose each and every game in their pre-season NBA tour this year? Where they were obvioulsy playing their hardest and the NBA teams obviously weren't, but they still managed to lose by a large margin in every game...It's just two different games man, and European teams wouldn't hang...Of course, toss Dwyane and LeBron and Carmelo together on a team and they'll lose to a REAL team who actually know how to play together and prepare for that sort of thing. But that still don't mean Euroleague would survive in the NBA...PeACe
Once again i'm not talking about an Euroleague team with european players only, but an NBA team located in Europe with an european coach and style of play (and with American superstars). Obviously right now Maccabi can't compete (expecially after loosing Jasi and AParker).
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PARIS (AFP) - US basketball legend Michael Jordan has hailed European players as mastering the fundamentals of the game and said the addition of European teams to the NBA would be a "very good idea."
"It's obvious that European players master the fundamentals better," Jordan told reporters here on the fancied US team's disappointing bronze medal-winning display at last month's world championships which Spain won with a 70-47 defeat of Greece.
"They have taken this aspect of the game to a higher level," said the former Chicago Bulls superstar who retired in 2003.
"In the United States, we're too focused on the highlights, dunks and passes. It's not that we don't have the players we need, but putting together a team becomes difficult under these conditions.
"But I think things are going in the right direction today."
Jordan, who in June became a part owner of the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Bobcats, said that adding European squads to the NBA was a good long-term concept.
"In the long term it's a good idea. The distance and the travelling would be a problem, but it's obvious that European teams are increasingly competitive.
"If that were to continue, the project could very well come to fruition.
"Basketball as a whole has progressed enormously, and one of the reasons comes from the interest the NBA is fostering in Europe.
"European basketball has become very strong and their players have contributed a lot to the development of the game. The United States now has problems beating them."
NBA league commissioner David Stern said last week that a conference of European teams is at least another 10 years in the making, and depends on a city's willingness to build a mutli-million dollar stadium.
European expansion has long been an idea for Stern and other NBA officials but the logistical and travel headaches and more importantly a need for newer arenas had been presented as major obstacles.
The only current European venue seen as NBA-worthy is the 19,000-capacity KolnArena in Cologne, Germany.
But there is an arena opening in London in 2007, and there are also plans in Berlin, CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid. Should those plans become reality, those city teams could form the heart of an NBA Europe division.
Jordan said he would occupy a management role at the Charlotte Bobcats similar to the one he had with the Washington Wizards as a part-owner between 2000 and 2003.
"I will not necessarily be there daily," Jordan said. "My role will be to supervise everything that has to do with basketball, to help build a team that will eventually be capable of winning the championship.
"My experience in Washington is going to help me a lot in that."
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Like He said.
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I honestly think it would be a terrible idea...
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Well it's just a simple unrealistic idea anyway at the moment, so don't worry. ;D
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Wow! I've just noticed Toronto acquired Jorge Garbajosa. And he's averaging 11 ppg. Wow! Like i said he's a really really good European style center who can hit the 3's like Nowitsky. I'm impressed by Toronto: Anthony Parker, Garbajosa, Bargani.. The fact one of their most important scout is italian must be a factor. I'll support them as my second team this year.
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Wow! I've just noticed Toronto acquired Jorge Garbajosa. And he's averaging 11 ppg. Wow! Like i said he's a really really good European style center who can hit the 3's like Nowitsky. I'm impressed by Toronto: Anthony Parker, Garbajosa, Bargani.. The fact one of their most important scout is italian must be a factor. I'll support them as my second team this year.
LOL...Word...You didn't know? They got some ill ass European scouting going on there...Sonics also almost acquired Yotam Halperin, but he decided to stay with Maccabi. What you think of him?...PeACe
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Wow! I've just noticed Toronto acquired Jorge Garbajosa. And he's averaging 11 ppg. Wow! Like i said he's a really really good European style center who can hit the 3's like Nowitsky. I'm impressed by Toronto: Anthony Parker, Garbajosa, Bargani.. The fact one of their most important scout is italian must be a factor. I'll support them as my second team this year.
LOL...Word...You didn't know? They got some ill ass European scouting going on there...Sonics also almost acquired Yotam Halperin, but he decided to stay with Maccabi. What you think of him?...PeACe
No man, i didn't know it. I made his name just cause i knew how good he is (he showed it in the last World Cup tournament tho) and how he is the perfect european C (great outside, wonderful 3pts shooting, great zonal defence, wack one on one defence). But it's not really a big surprise, if you ask me. I mean Toronto Raptors named former Benetton Treviso (an italian team) GM Maurizio Gherardini as the club's vice president and assistant general manager of Colangelo. I know Gherardini very well, he's a wonderful talent scout who worked extremely well in Treviso. He's the one who acquired Garbajosa when he was still a good but not superstar C in Treviso (and Treviso made him a superstar) and he's the one who helped Bargnani reach the NBA #1 draft pick playing in Treviso. So for him to select two former Treviso stars like PF Bargnani and to C Garbajosa had to be a natural thing. Plus Anthony Parker, well everybody in Europe knows he's the Michael Jordan of Euroleague. That explains why Colangelo did a great job this year. And that's what i'm talking about!! The NBA needs people like Maurizio Gherardini. I criticized the selection of Bargani saying Garbajosa was more ready for the NBA. Well.. Gherardini acquired both, so nothing to say, hands down, great offseason for him.
About Halperin i must admit he's a pretty good talent, but he's not yet ready for the NBA. This year, without Parker, it will be an "in or out" season for him. He has to step us as the leader of Maccabi, so i'll just wait and see him. If you want a name of a player who will make noise in the next NBA draft it is Marco Belinelli, an italian all-around player from Bologna. I predict him to be selected in one the first 5 positions. I prefeer him to Halperin, by far (if Sasha Vujacic can be in the rotation in the Lakers... Belinelli can START!).
Remember my words.
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Toronto is 6-0 right now...I know its only pre-season, but still.....They beat Cleveland lastnight without Bosh or TJ in the lineup. These Europeans know how to play the game. They arent selfish and bust their ass every play. Jorge Garbajosa is the man.
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Toronto is 6-0 right now...I know its only pre-season, but still.....They beat Cleveland lastnight without Bosh or TJ in the lineup. These Europeans know how to play the game. They arent selfish and bust their ass every play. Jorge Garbajosa is the man.
How are they playing? Garba and Bargnani? Plus let's remember Jose Calderòn, i guess he's doing well too, by reading his stats.
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Garbajosa has been more valuable so far. Andrea sat the last game with a sore ankle. I think they will work Andrea slowly into the rotation. The first three players off the bench will be Fred Jones, Jorge Garbajosa and most likely Andrea. Anthony Parker is really solid too. I know hes from the US, but since he played so long in the Euro league, I still consider him a european type player.
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Garbajosa has been more valuable so far. Andrea sat the last game with a sore ankle. I think they will work Andrea slowly into the rotation. The first three players off the bench will be Fred Jones, Jorge Garbajosa and most likely Andrea. Anthony Parker is really solid too. I know hes from the US, but since he played so long in the Euro league, I still consider him a european type player.
What about Calderon, man? He's a very skilled PG imo. An "american" type of european PG, lol. Plus you guys signed Nesterovic too. I know him very well (he played in Bologna, Italy). Not a big signing, but you'll need him in your rotation cause he can spend fouls. Damn the team is looking real good. Congrats.
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Garbajosa has been more valuable so far. Andrea sat the last game with a sore ankle. I think they will work Andrea slowly into the rotation. The first three players off the bench will be Fred Jones, Jorge Garbajosa and most likely Andrea. Anthony Parker is really solid too. I know hes from the US, but since he played so long in the Euro league, I still consider him a european type player.
What about Calderon, man? He's a very skilled PG imo. An "american" type of european PG, lol. Plus you guys signed Nesterovic too. I know him very well (he played in Bologna, Italy). Not a big signing, but you'll need him in your rotation cause he can spend fouls. Damn the team is looking real good. Congrats.
Calderon is sick too....Hes playing with bigtime confidence right now....The Raps biggest asset this year will be the bench...Trust me, they will outplay and out hustle pretty much every other teams bench , just wait and see.
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No doubt man. I wrote some posts ago i loved Garba and Parker, so having them both on the Raps is a great thing. Plus Andrea, plus Calderon.. the team is looking loaded for sure. Like i said i'll support them as my 2nd fav team this year.
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nice, thats dope man. go to www.nba.com and check out the coverage they had today...they did a show called real training camp on the raptors today...had coverage of the camp plus interview with some of the players.
peace
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Thanx.
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LMAO@anyone placing LeBron over Kobe. :-X
Kobe was ranked the number 1 fantasy player for this season, some site might have LeBron over Kobe for rebounds and assists, but LMFAO@anyone actually using fantasy leagues to determine who's the best. Simply mind-boggling.
Tim Duncan> Kobe
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LMAO@anyone placing LeBron over Kobe. :-X
Kobe was ranked the number 1 fantasy player for this season, some site might have LeBron over Kobe for rebounds and assists, but LMFAO@anyone actually using fantasy leagues to determine who's the best. Simply mind-boggling.
Tim Duncan> Kobe
ROTFLMAO!...I hope that was a joke to get a "rise".
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Kobe's rank has slipped down to #9 now because of the knee.....I know that doesnt mean shit, its just a fantasy rank, but still...
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Kobe's rank has slipped down to #9 now because of the knee.....I know that doesnt mean shit, its just a fantasy rank, but still...
LOL. We'll see how long that lasts...