Watching the Team USA Vs. Australia Olympics Basketball game I was reminded of my standing theory that Basketball analysis is loaded with racial baggage. For a quick example the entire idea that NBA players don’t play defense seems like a back door way of calling black players lazy show offs. As the announcers pointed out Lebron James has been absolutely stellar defense, but when he’s playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers he has to work on offense constantly.
Another example is the critique of Team USA’s failings; that they needed to defend the 3-pointer, and they needed to shot the 3-point better. Certainly doing both those things were necessary, but the analysis can come close to saying that what Team USA needs to do is play more like European Teams. Of course it’s entirely possible that many European teams shoot the 3-point, because they can’t drive the ball the way Team USA can. Similarly I doubt many European have the athleticism run a full court defense, but it certainly worked at times for Team USA.
Basically there are a lot of ways to play basketball, and the international game isn’t nearly so restrictive to cause every team to play the same way. Also different styles will lead to different statistical quirks, such as aggressive defense might lead to a few open three point shots. Team USA needs to play to it’s strengths, which today certainly included three point shooting.
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Tags: 2008 Olympics, USA Basketball
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