In the wake of Team USA's awful loss to Puerto Rico, many have expressed doubts about the style of play in today's NBA translating to international competition. People are saying that the NBA is a "superstar's" league whereas international ball is real basketball.
Now, here's where I am lost. What rules in the NBA really favor the superstar approach as compared to the team approach? I remember that illegal defense helped the superstar style, but this rule has since been nullified.
What exactly is the huge difference between international basketball and NBA basketball? People are saying that internationals play more as a team. I would counter this by saying that the vast majority of NBA champions and successful teams in the NBA employ the superstar approach. If international team ball is so much better than NBA ball, how come it doesn't work in the NBA? What rules make this so impossible to employ in the league but not in international competition???
Get what I'm saying? I'm just confused as hell I guess
Also, would people here be in favor of an NBA that is played more like international basketball? I know that I would. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching teams like Serbia-Montenegro, PR, Italy, and Germany despite their lack of monster dunks and alley-oops. Can't wait to catch Spain either. I look forward to a day when the rules are adjusted in the NBA to favor skills over athleticism.