The problem here is, you simply don't know what the fukk you're talking about. You can't even keep your metaphors straight.
1. We don't have the original source material, only quotes pulled from a conversation - that use a single 'apostrophe' no less.
2. He was talking in reference to the old mentality that european players were too soft, and not talented enough to play in the nba, and was - essentially - defending the european basketball player.
3. Your request to have him compare players he has coached to players he has not coached is so fukking retarded, it defies the logical pathways of thought.
4. He is right, the upbringing of the average pro-level european player is more structured, more grueling, more coached, and more demanding than that of the average pro-level US prospect. Most are put into professional level programs at a young age 12,13,14 - and are fed through their pro ranks from there. They are less coddled, they are given less choices, they live a far more spartan lifestyle.
5. The difference between the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th guys off an NBA bench, and the starters in the top euroleagues is non-existant. While european players may not make up the elite of the nba, there have certainly been some superstars and stars, Dirk, Pau, Marc, Manu, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan if you give it a leash (pop considers him International, he considers himself international). Your take on the "european talent" is myopic and stuck in the 80's. Top Euroleagues are far, far, far stronger than college basketball, with better players and better coaches. Which some young "top prospects" have learned over the last few years.
6. Finally - the insinuation that Greg Popovich - of all people - has to tell you shyt, or explain shyt to you is the highest of high comedy. He's up 2-1 on LeBron/Wade/Bosh with his collection of 'euros' that - according to you - aren't as talented as american players. And their schemes, both offensive and defensive, are running circles around - and confounding - the best player in modern basketball. He said that he has found them more coachable than young american players - thats' his experience. He's proven over and over that he can use european players - often considered less 'talented' than their contemporaries - and win with them. The perfect examples being Parker and Manu: Who are never considered among the elites of their position, but somehow have amassed historic winning %'s and a grip of rings with Tim Duncan. Who is from St. Croix - and was so lightly recruited as a result, that he almost ended up at the University of Hartford. And he's the greatest power forward of all time. Bar none. From St. Croix. Which was Danish until about a 100 years ago. Guys want to turn this into a race thing, Pop didn't say a thing about black or white. Diaw is french, and pop loves his fat ass.
Also, Andrew Wiggins is about to shatter this entire 'international players aren't as gifted as americans' thing. Black Thundering Nubian Celestial Canadian Dunker Disher and Swisher, having ignorantly-argumentative twats on this board lookin like
exactly they are pros . Alot of players in college aren't the same thing they are expected to be full time students and players , they don't exactly have time to work a 9 to 5 on top of that . And then to top it off they get a meal from someone they can lose they damn scholarships
it's no real benefit to stay in college unless you need to build up draft stock. the Nba coaches need to adapt and find a way to reach the players
what the hell any of this have to do with what i said?
I'm in the NBA, while the Dwight Howards of the League have been given the keys to the city and millions of dollars before even developing a post-move.
gtfoh
