Ballhandling, dunking at best, are the parts of the game. If focused on solely, that's a work of a stunt.
e.g Teodosic, is a really ballhandler, and Rudy, as we know, is a terrific dunker. (I too remember how insane he was in Joventut, he was periodically getting called "helicopter")
But after "showing himself" he started to display his other skills too.
Because in the eyes of many; basketball is dunk and run. He needed to show what makes him different, and progressed accordingly after that. Then he started to rot in Portland's bench.
I doubt the scenario would be same if Rudy and Batum were in the same team in Europe.
Batum is a 10 ppg player for Europe. He has the skills for that, and he has the enough spark to be given that role. I'm not denying that. But yes. He dunks and shoots. Let's say, Bramos' athleticism is 75, his is 90.
But, the open shots and easy dunks you can get is limited.
France would still be in the final with or without Batum.
They display a great one and one defense, i admit that.
But, if he develops himself, adds different dimensions to his game, he too will sit on the Portland bench.
Because what makes him himself is his athletic abilities. If he doesn't work to improve them, he'll start to loose his credibility. Which will make him a 15 ppg 4 apg europe player, but a bench warmer in NBA.
In NBA almost every player is a good one and one defender.
Since there is a chasm between NBA's and Europe's overall athletic ability and strength, unathletic "kings" of Europe, suffocate in the pace, simplicity and strength of the game. (Spanoulis, Navarro, Saras, Rakocevic etc. )
Parker has started to play more efficiently in Europe since he developed his shot and passing ability.
Otherwise he was merely a go to guy with superior ability to change to direction.
If you want to be an NBA player with the abilities "I like", you have to be oversized or have an extra ability which many in your position does not have.
E.g Hedo and Okur are regarded as untalented by many. Okur is (was) a precise shooter, a rebounder, a defender. He is a one time allstar. And he was only a tall guy at first. He improved his shot and clinged to NBA.
Hedo could only shoot when he first played for Kings. He got stronger, he developed in other areas. Then he became a point forward. Which is a very extra feature for your team.
Nowitzki for instance, he is one of the best shooters out there. But what he brings to team is unmatched.
Kleiza, is a perfect european player. He shined in NBA from time to time, but he was condemned due to issues i mentioned. Now he plays for Raptors (a team that only exists to sell NBA internationally imo) Remember his year in Olympiakos.
This is why we rarely see Lithuanian or Greek player in NBA when they are usually very sucessful in Europe.
My view of basketball could be very narrow. But this is because NBA does not use players' full potential. The game does not allow that. There are great and great players out there but they are either stuck with their compulsory attempt to "show themselves" or with their linear progression mentality.
France has many one-type players. But they are led by De Colo and Parker. Which make them an ok team for THIS tournament.
I repeat. If everyone were in full strength or with, let's say, their heads, things would be harder for them.
Like tomorrow.
P.S: If we compare basketball and soccer in terms of complexity. There's really a huge difference.
e.g Teodosic, is a really ballhandler, and Rudy, as we know, is a terrific dunker. (I too remember how insane he was in Joventut, he was periodically getting called "helicopter")
But after "showing himself" he started to display his other skills too.
Because in the eyes of many; basketball is dunk and run. He needed to show what makes him different, and progressed accordingly after that. Then he started to rot in Portland's bench.
I doubt the scenario would be same if Rudy and Batum were in the same team in Europe.
Batum is a 10 ppg player for Europe. He has the skills for that, and he has the enough spark to be given that role. I'm not denying that. But yes. He dunks and shoots. Let's say, Bramos' athleticism is 75, his is 90.
But, the open shots and easy dunks you can get is limited.
France would still be in the final with or without Batum.
They display a great one and one defense, i admit that.
But, if he develops himself, adds different dimensions to his game, he too will sit on the Portland bench.
Because what makes him himself is his athletic abilities. If he doesn't work to improve them, he'll start to loose his credibility. Which will make him a 15 ppg 4 apg europe player, but a bench warmer in NBA.
In NBA almost every player is a good one and one defender.
Since there is a chasm between NBA's and Europe's overall athletic ability and strength, unathletic "kings" of Europe, suffocate in the pace, simplicity and strength of the game. (Spanoulis, Navarro, Saras, Rakocevic etc. )
Parker has started to play more efficiently in Europe since he developed his shot and passing ability.
Otherwise he was merely a go to guy with superior ability to change to direction.
If you want to be an NBA player with the abilities "I like", you have to be oversized or have an extra ability which many in your position does not have.
E.g Hedo and Okur are regarded as untalented by many. Okur is (was) a precise shooter, a rebounder, a defender. He is a one time allstar. And he was only a tall guy at first. He improved his shot and clinged to NBA.
Hedo could only shoot when he first played for Kings. He got stronger, he developed in other areas. Then he became a point forward. Which is a very extra feature for your team.
Nowitzki for instance, he is one of the best shooters out there. But what he brings to team is unmatched.
Kleiza, is a perfect european player. He shined in NBA from time to time, but he was condemned due to issues i mentioned. Now he plays for Raptors (a team that only exists to sell NBA internationally imo) Remember his year in Olympiakos.
This is why we rarely see Lithuanian or Greek player in NBA when they are usually very sucessful in Europe.
My view of basketball could be very narrow. But this is because NBA does not use players' full potential. The game does not allow that. There are great and great players out there but they are either stuck with their compulsory attempt to "show themselves" or with their linear progression mentality.
France has many one-type players. But they are led by De Colo and Parker. Which make them an ok team for THIS tournament.
I repeat. If everyone were in full strength or with, let's say, their heads, things would be harder for them.
Like tomorrow.
P.S: If we compare basketball and soccer in terms of complexity. There's really a huge difference.
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