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I buy the fact that more people in the world are playing the game than americans, but it will be a while before they play it better than us on a consistant basis.
Look at Hockey, Canadians were far superior for many, many years, now it is about 60-40 to the rest of the world in the NHL. Are there more non-canadians than canadians playing the game all over the world, yes. Are the non-canucks better at it, not yet. We could probably repeat this argument over and over just substituting the sports and country names but these come to mind: USA Track vs the world Asian Volleyball vs the world Soccer in Europe or South America vs the world Rugby in Australia vs the world Any russian or former russian country gymnast vs the world (although I only see this every 4 years, so it is a best guess). This whole disagrement boils down to on thing - desire. I have no need or desire to ever work an international game. I think that is the main sticking point to the way Americans view the international game. It is not ugly americanism, just apathy. Tragic or MJ may have said those things, but I have to say the Olympics looked like a effort for the last few dream teams. I would say some flat out did not want to be there. The college kids used to love going because it was their spring board to a higher draft spot in the NBA. Now it is just work. |
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Secondly, now you're putting put conditions on it, such as not counting pickup games. Sorry but millions of Americans play basketball each week, in leagues, at lunch at the YMCA, etc. You just can't discount those people. I believe that soccer enthusiasts will still tell you that soccer is the most popular sport internationally. Lastly, do you really think that 10% of the world, outside the US plays basketball. I guess if you want to make the assumption that there are more people in the world playing basketball than there are in the USA, you possibly can. It's only based on the population of each. But I would still venture to guess that there are a higher percentage of Americans that participate in sports that play basketball than there is in the world or any other country. Face it Oz, basketball is an American sport. The rest of the world is still catching up. Until they do, many will continue to refer to FIBA as FEEBLE. |
Re: Re: Here are your worms!
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Oz Referee
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100% of all Americans play basketball and less than .00001% of the rest of the known universe plays basketball. In fact, I'm claiming that there are an additional 100 million uncounted Americans playing organized basketball today. So I'm right & you're wrong. (When you substantiate your figures I'll substantiate mine.) On a serious note, I'll be willing to bet that there are more *kids* playing organized basketball up through the 12th grade in the US than there are *people* who even know what a basketball looks like outside the US. Well, except those who have seen a basketball being dribbled or shot by an NBA guy on TV or in a picture. |
Reminds me of the old saying "When in Rome, do as the Romans do"...if a person is playing or reffing in an area which uses FIBA rules, you better know the FIBA rules...if not, why should we care what the differences are? I had the opportunity several years ago to ref the Nike World Master's games in Portland, Oregon...it was a blast, and they used international rules for the most part...I worked one game with a guy from Canada and a guy from Australia - interesting to say the least...best part of the whole tournament was reffing the Australian Women's team of 30 and under - they wore those same uniform/tights things their Olympic team wears - made it awful hard to concentrate on the game!!
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Damn those worms
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On to uniforms - there was an Under 18's women's team from a suburb of Sydney several years ago that had the bodysuits. In their wisdom the players had chosed to make the tops of the suits out of ventmesh. As an easily excited 16 year old referee at the time, it was AWFUL hard to cocentrate on the game :) Halfway through the season, after many complaints by parents, they changed their uniforms - one of the saddest days in my life :( |
Re: Re: Re: Here are your worms!
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This argument is becoming silly.
Guys, you cares what level is better, and who plays more basketball. I believe that the orginal question was why American officials had the attitude about FIBA rule?
Let us face it, basketball is an American sport period. Before kids can walk kids are trying to bounce a basketball. We have hoops on almost every playground. Look in almost any shoe store you are going to find the biggest section of shoes for basketball. Almost all the sports wear in those stores are basketball gear. You do not see the same attitude towards soccer, or baseball, or football even. You can find basketball stuff all year round, unlike the other sports. And then that we get to see what is on TV, basketball is on the tube almost year round. If the NBA is not one TV, then there is NCAA, and then there is the WNBA during the summer. Us Americans do not see FIBA basketball but for every 4 years, and considering the TV coverage not many of us really saw any of that coverage at all anyway. So to expect a group of people, from a particular country to think of a set of rules or a game that is literally foreign to us, is a stretch at best. And as officials, to expect us to care about a level that most of us do not have a desire to officiate, is kind of silly too. I do not want to ever be seen on a Women's NCAA game in life, am I wrong because I do not want to do that? Or am I wrong that I do not want to do a NBA game either? Look, when we are children many of our dreams are established by what ever we see or know. Officiating dreams are no different. And if you have not figured it already, FIBA levels are no differerent here. Sorry, when I watched the show Preps on Fox Sports, I did not hear a single kid talk about going to the Olympics or wanting to play basketball overseas. NCAA and NBA was it, but you already knew that. Peace |
Re: Damn those worms
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have a hard time (ahem) understanding them! :) |
Re: This argument is becoming silly.
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Now that's funny!
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Good one!!!!! mick |
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I'm shocked!!!
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