OT: Kobe ripping AAU saying Euro players more skilled

[Kitaman]

I think he makes some good points. Even on this board we talk a lot about players NBA potential dismissing their current skill sets. He is ripping the lack of fundamentals of young players. Kobe did have some Euro ball experience as a young kid, and of course an NBA father so he had some 'old school' teaching.

He's a senior spokesman so maybe it will gain traction, even if for discussions: linky

Personally I don't see it being fixed and it's a reason I'm not too interested in the NBA product.

 

[mauconnfan]

Don't agree with Kobe all that much but he hit the bullseye on this one.

 

[Dynasty]

Gregg Popovich already figured this out.

 

[Fishy]

To translate: Kobe's pissed that too many players are like him. He prefers deference.

 

[UC990411]

Yeah, because there are never any European busts...l

 

[superjohn]

This coming from the guy who is shooting 37% from the field.

 

[mauconnfan]

Yeah, because there are never any European busts...l

I doubt that's the point. I guess it more "Can you imagine some of our kids who don't go to college too long, playing as fundamentally sound as the Euro's with their athletic, skill set"?

And it's true. Many of the Euro's don't make it for a few reasons but most of all the speed of the game. But they do know how to play for sure.

Look at Niels from his frosh year to Senior. I mean the good news is the kid who stays longer and is coached by an Ollie, Donovan, Izzo etc get better. The bad news is they aren't the kids who's only reason to go to college is because they can't go directly to the NBA, so they aren't quite as naturally gifted. But they certainly learn more than those others.

 

[mrmojack]

Maybe if the NBA didn't take our kids right out of high school or one year
of college experience they would be more fundamentally sound, you think?
I believe they would have much better fundamentals if they had 3-4 years
of college with a decent college coaching staff.

 

[mauconnfan]

Maybe if the NBA didn't take our kids right out of high school or one year
of college experience they would be more fundamentally sound, you think?
I believe they would have much better fundamentals if they had 3-4 years
of college with a decent college coaching staff.

Bingo. But therein lies the problem also. The AAU coaches and handlers all have their minds on the big picture for their kids as well as now many of the parents. This in turn doesn't bode well for kids actually thinking of doing the academic work they need to stay in school, most are one foot out the door as soon as they get there. Making kids stay a minimum of 2-3 years would be a start but it will never happen because of the NBA's greed!

 

[CTBasketball]

Ballislife, Hoopmixtape, and such can be to blame as well.

 

[FartMan69]

AAU games are glorified pick-up games with minimal defense just to showcase the top players on the court. When i played AAU we had a PG with D1 talent and the offense consisted of dribble isolation with the 2-4 spread in the corners for the rare dish out and the 5 (me) on the opposite block ready to set screens. Sure it gets the best players noticed but is detrimental to their future basketball IQ.

 

[FartMan69]

This coming from the guy who is shooting 37% from the field.

Awful player. No wonder he never won a title. -_-

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

AAU games are glorified pick-up games with minimal defense just to showcase the top players on the court. When i played AAU we had a PG with D1 talent and the offense consisted of dribble isolation with the 2-4 spread in the corners for the rare dish out and the 5 (me) on the opposite block ready to set screens. Sure it gets the best players noticed but is detrimental to their future basketball IQ.

I hope this doesn't start an avalanche of Matt Groening-avatared posters telling about their AAU experience.

 

[FartMan69]

I hope this doesn't start an avalanche of Matt Groening-avatared posters telling about their AAU experience.

The floor is yours you murderous pirate

 

[CTPride]

I remember playing pick up basketball in highschool. Whenever I was on the same team as someone really good we pretty much just let them shoot and rebounded if they missed. I really feel like this hurt my developement as a player. If I had played in a more structured environment somewhere out of the country I feel like I could have made the NBA and probably become a perennial All Star player. Oh well.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

The floor is yours you murderous pirate

In college, I played decidedly undistinguished intramural basketball at an AAU (UAA) member school.