Being that the FIBA tourny is going on, I was just wondering what ya'll thought about the competition levels in each respective league compared to each other. I am admittedly unversed in international ball, so I was hoping for some education here; How would any average or upper average international team deal with the equivalent upper average complete NBA team? Also, how would that same team compete with NBA players on their international team? (i.e. Germany with and without Dirk vs. say, Utah) Any thoughts on this?
hmm I'd normally say they'd get beat pretty bad but it really depends on what rules/ styles they play under. Also I can see really crappy teams like T'Wolves, Wizards, Raptors losing here and there.
You're all gonna argue that the talent difference is huge but it really isn't, NBA is more individual orientated and pretty much everyone has a lower bball iq than European players which is the result of them having played in systems where only the best players were focused on and most of the plays were set for them, while in Europe, teamwork is the focus and even though NBA players are far more athletically gifted, they can still be overcome through smart team play. So please stop automatically assuming that every NBA team would beat any European team because it's very insulting and it just shows your lack of knowledge.
The best players are in the NBA, obviously. It doesn't mean that a top Euro club couldn't beat a lowly NBA team. Talent isn't everything.
People might remember the McDonald's World Basketball Championships, played 8 times between '87 thru '99. A very good NBA ball club every year would be selected to play the champions from other overseas leagues. The last 3 times was the actual NBA Champions. (The Rockets had to play in '95 after winning the championship) NBA clubs SWEPT the tourney ALL 8 YEARS. Didnt lose a game. The '89 Denver Nuggets who were an NBA #6 playoff seed beat the CHAMPIONS of other leagues. This was with NBA having fewer international players on rosters, and most the overseas clubs having plenty American players. I'd imagine if each team only could use their own countrymen with no foreigners, that the results woulda been the same maybe even larger margin of victory. Though the gap has closed some the past 10 years more than ever.
There's an actual Wiki link of NBA vs FIBA results since the late 70's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_vs_FIBA_games NBA on the left, FIBA on the right The bolded teams are the winners. One side is noticeably more bolded than the other
I can see that. I really believe that the main reason the NBA is better, because most players are African. Africans in general are very strong, muscular, athletic and agile. This combined with the fact that most African children grew up in poor neighbourhoods (ghettos and such) where basketball courts in particular were prevalent. There are still many Africans living in those areas and if they don't, then basketball will remain part of the dominant sport played because of their dominance in basketball. Also, I hope the NBA commissioner or whoever's in charge realises the NBA champions are not world champions. I know many people in Europe who mock and laugh at the US because of a thing like this. Declaring a national champion, world champions, what other country would and could that ? I love how Popovich didn't want to be called world champions. Any other coaches or people around the NBA who've commented on the 'world' title?
Instead of that McDonald's tournament, they're having basketball tours between NBA and world teams by NBA rules. One event, The Euroleague American Tour. Other event, NBA Europe Live Tour. World teams are having better success of late in these tour games. (Which are still essentially preseason games for the NBA against World teams who may or may not be motivated to play them. Last year in the American Tour you got Euro title contender CSKA Moscow barely beating 19 win Cleveland by 3 points. The Heat and the Thunder beat CSKA Moscow by 9 & 8 points. NBA Europe tour last year its preseason, but Regal FC Barcelona actually beat defending champion Lakers 92-88 fairly. So THAT'S what Europhiles are going to gush on about. The gap is closing little by little, though its not like world teams have even a .333 record against the US. Its improved from maybe .100 to .200.
Yes they struggle on the bigger NBA court, I'd like to see NBA vs. European top teams on European size courts. These lower the athleticsm advantage and speed of NBA players and make the game more halfcourt/system-oriented. Team work and offball-movement matter more in Europe, add the better ball-iq, less 1on1 cause of the smaller zone and it would be really close imo. The game is much more physical and defensive-minded so some I can definitely see some NBA teams struggling.
Please... when you only lose the FIBA World Championships once out of every 18 or so years then there is no question that the NBA is better. I bet if you put the Panthanikos or whatever the hell that team is called; in their first season at least they will shatter the record for least wins in an NBA season.
USA only won 4 titles, what are you smoking? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_World_Championship This is what's wrong with so many guys here, not knowing any facts but saying things like "USA always owned other countries" and untrue things like that. Please watch European Basketball and think about the different rules/court/philosophy before coming up with these idiotic phrases withotu any knowledge.
Oh good lord, it is like asking an MLS team to play Manchester United. There is no comparison....Euroball is largely unathletic, and more physical because they are slower than dirt. The best players are in the NBA, while there may be an exception here or there, it is just not close at all. Great Euro players on their club teams end up being role players in the NBA.....and please don't cite Dirk, he was 19 years old when he came over to learn in THE NBA ! DD
