So you say Europe being punished??
Listen Europeans! The FIBA Americas has become much closer to FIBA Europe in the last 2 years. P.R., D.R and Venezuela can beat any mid level Euro team. USA, Brazil and Argentina can beat any Euro team. The continents are relatively close at this point. Basketball is very competitive right now. Everyone should be happy! I always cheer for USA but I'm so proud of the growth of this beautiful game. To answer the question No I don't believe their is a FIBA Americas bias. I also believe Lietuva got the benefit of the calls in the 4th quarter. This is not why they won.
It seems to me that FIBA American teams have 2 things that help them against Euro squads. 1)Americano defense. Mainly aggressively attacking the passing lanes. That gives Euros problems. 2) A point guard advantage. All top FIBA American teams have point guards that can penetrate on ANY defense. Barea, Arroyo, Manu, Barbosa etc.
I also agree that FIBA regional zones refs are not consistent with each other. FIBA America play a more physical game. In FIBA Euro the Russians and Turks do as well. How do you fix that though?
Listen Europeans! The FIBA Americas has become much closer to FIBA Europe in the last 2 years. P.R., D.R and Venezuela can beat any mid level Euro team. USA, Brazil and Argentina can beat any Euro team. The continents are relatively close at this point. Basketball is very competitive right now. Everyone should be happy! I always cheer for USA but I'm so proud of the growth of this beautiful game. To answer the question No I don't believe their is a FIBA Americas bias. I also believe Lietuva got the benefit of the calls in the 4th quarter. This is not why they won.
It seems to me that FIBA American teams have 2 things that help them against Euro squads. 1)Americano defense. Mainly aggressively attacking the passing lanes. That gives Euros problems. 2) A point guard advantage. All top FIBA American teams have point guards that can penetrate on ANY defense. Barea, Arroyo, Manu, Barbosa etc.
I also agree that FIBA regional zones refs are not consistent with each other. FIBA America play a more physical game. In FIBA Euro the Russians and Turks do as well. How do you fix that though?
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