USA vs SPA

[APG]

Originally Posted by Jay R

I found it interesting that when Kobe Bryant was talking to Kogut the announcers made a comment about Kobe's ability to speak three languages with "these international officials". I guess they didn't recognize Kogut.

The announcers made an effort to distinguish between FIBA rules and NBA rules. Yet, they said "remember in international basketball, you shoot free throws starting on the fifth team foul in the quarter". Same as the NBA.

And then finally they admitted they had no clue what the rule was when three of four players stepped into the lane early on a free throw. The free throw was good. In FIBA, lane violations are ignored when the FT is made although at times it can look weird.

I agree, they keep hashing on that fact that they shoot on the fifth foul...as if it's a completely foreign concept.

I also laughed when they mentioned Kobe being multilingual when he was talking to Mr. Kogut. I'm actually surprised they didn't mention he was an NBA official seeing as they spent a good deal speaking about the officiating.

On a side note, I wasn't keeping track while watching, but I'm guessing a lot of the Team USA players were talking to Marat more so than the other two officials as they would be some level of comfort already.

I also figured the rule was different in FIBA (regarding entering in the lane on FTs) but was too lazy to look it up and figured the rule had to be different since guys were entering ridiculously early. I actually like the FIBA version of the rule a lot better than an the NBA/NCAA/NFHS version.