Kobe Bryant: European players are more skillful than Americans

[rollie mass]

I live in england and played for rollie massimino way back and what a coach,my son played premier basketball in england at highest level we went to final four lost in finals in last two minutes-beating ,london,manchestor and biringham in other word major cities all from a small amature program.No hardwood floors freezing gyms no cheerleaders.We produced some very good players and had the priviledge of  watching my son in some spanish tournaments.Now that was coaching at barcelona and real madrid-these kids are tought to shoot and fundamentals first,pass cut unselfish and a joy to watch -in england even less players ,football mad ,no outdoors facilities, bad ,weather  and no neighborhood kids to play 3-3 or 1-1.We had some good coaching from a guy who fell in love with game in 70"s-he held the program together for decades-English basketball has lost it's funding and the kids lack creative skills of americans-there is not a hoop in every driveway.

[timobusa]

There's a lot of truth in what he's saying,
But at the same token, I think he's just trying to recruit Marc Gasol to play for the Lakers next year.

[GetLucky]

This is just Kobe patting himself on the back. He grew up in Europe while his dad was playing pro ball over there.

It may also be an excuse to insult Nick Young.

[jambr380]

I think he's more right than wrong. I think European players have better fundamentals of certain concepts (shooting, rebounding, etc) than American players (at least the newer generations). I think NBA players today rely too much on their athleticism to get by. That's why we see players like Javale McGee. Great athelete, no idea how to play actually play basketball.

TP - these were my first thoughts, too. It's easy to dismiss him because of the irony in someone like Kobe making these comments, but it's not like he is wrong. Europe is still building up its basketball popularity and the top athletes are hardly making it their top choice (giving even more credit to his comments).

In America, player potential is based so much more on wingspan and standing jump than on shooting and boxing out mechanics. I think it is why we love seeing players like Kelly Olynyk succeed - because he breaking the mold of what it takes to be a good basketball player. We could learn a lot from international coaching, including working very hard from a young age on basic basketball skills rather than schooling your peers one on five.

[Celtics4ever]

unless anyone honestly thinks that americans are inherently tougher people than the rest of the world, which is absurd.

Soccer is the sport that gets their best, their tall guys play basketball.  Our big three sports get our best.  Right now, we have a cultural edge in terms of what is the key sport.

[puskas54_10]

He's absolutely right. Especially the big mans. If you "can't play the game", you are going nowhere in Europe.
American bigmen: Big, athletic, bruiser, intimidator, but what about actually playing the game of basketball?
e. g. Andre Drummond is a super athlete, but the ball is crying in his hands, can't shoot a lick, why? He's just a way more athletic Kendrick Perkins.

American guards: super flashy, but they are playing for themselves, that's actually the easier to solve.

The biggest take away: skill-less american big men will have a hard time versus skilled (but less athletic) international bigmen. Especially if better athletes come out from Europe/South America.

[puskas54_10]

unless anyone honestly thinks that americans are inherently tougher people than the rest of the world, which is absurd.

Soccer is the sport that gets their best, their tall guys play basketball.  Our big three sports get our best.  Right now, we have a cultural edge in terms of what is the key sport.

Football which you call soccer is the most popular sport in the world except USA. So don't expect basketball take away the best talent from "soccer". Except if you are very very tall of course, then would have a hard time plaing soccer.

[hpantazo]

He's absolutely right. Especially the big mans. If you "can't play the game", you are going nowhere in Europe.
American bigmen: Big, athletic, bruiser, intimidator, but what about actually playing the game of basketball?
e. g. Andre Drummond is a super athlete, but the ball is crying in his hands, can't shoot a lick, why? He's just a way more athletic Kendrick Perkins.

American guards: super flashy, but they are playing for themselves, that's actually the easier to solve.

The biggest take away: skill-less american big men will have a hard time versus skilled (but less athletic) international bigmen. Especially if better athletes come out from Europe/South America.

But can you imagine how great our players would be if we promote fundamental skills and knowledge of the game to athletes like Drummond, Bradley, Wiggins, etc from an early age? That would be a thing of beauty, possibly better than the Magic-Bird era of the league.

Just look at how great Olajuwon became later in his career, a guy with all the physical skills who got started late on learning the game, but focused hard on actually learning the game instead of trying to dominate with his physical skills only. He was possibly better than Michael Jordan for a couple of years there.

[D.o.s.]

The delicious irony of all of this, of course, is that Kobe more or less grew up playing overseas, and didn't actually play on American soil until he was a teenager.

[D.o.s.]

This is just Kobe patting himself on the back. He grew up in Europe while his dad was playing pro ball over there.

It may also be an excuse to insult Nick Young.

Exactly.

Also, this feels staggeringly appropriate:

[puskas54_10]

He's absolutely right. Especially the big mans. If you "can't play the game", you are going nowhere in Europe.
American bigmen: Big, athletic, bruiser, intimidator, but what about actually playing the game of basketball?
e. g. Andre Drummond is a super athlete, but the ball is crying in his hands, can't shoot a lick, why? He's just a way more athletic Kendrick Perkins.

American guards: super flashy, but they are playing for themselves, that's actually the easier to solve.

The biggest take away: skill-less american big men will have a hard time versus skilled (but less athletic) international bigmen. Especially if better athletes come out from Europe/South America.

But can you imagine how great our players would be if we promote fundamental skills and knowledge of the game to athletes like Drummond, Bradley, Wiggins, etc from an early age? That would be a thing of beauty, possibly better than the Magic-Bird era of the league.

Just look at how great Olajuwon became later in his career, a guy with all the physical skills who got started late on learning the game, but focused hard on actually learning the game instead of trying to dominate with his physical skills only. He was possibly better than Michael Jordan for a couple of years there.

I'm not from the US:) In the US basketball is a premier sport, so there is an abundance of raw talent. And the US has a strategic advantage. So I agree with your assesment

[greece66]

I 100% agree. It's sad too for the benefit of both sides.

We've learned everything from you, now it's time to teach something back 

[celticmania]

I think american players are more skilled. Many good american players who weren't drafted or didn't last in the league go to Europe and dominate. Not based on athleticism but on skill and ability. Not an insult to European players like Pau , Marc Gasol, Dirk etc who are very skilled players

[hpantazo]

I think american players are more skilled. Many good american players who weren't drafted or didn't last in the league go to Europe and dominate. Not based on athleticism but on skill and ability. Not an insult to European players like Pau , Marc Gasol, Dirk etc who are very skilled players

ehhh....they don't exactly 'dominate'. Virtually all of them are role players or get kicked out of the leagues for poor attitudes.

[celticmania]

I think american players are more skilled. Many good american players who weren't drafted or didn't last in the league go to Europe and dominate. Not based on athleticism but on skill and ability. Not an insult to European players like Pau , Marc Gasol, Dirk etc who are very skilled players

ehhh....they don't exactly 'dominate'. Virtually all of them are role players or get kicked out of the leagues for poor attitudes.

Well all of the overseas players that I've known were fairly unathletic but led their teams in scoring. One of my AAU coaches led 3 different leagues in scoring