Quote:Really?
I was never aware of the incident. I was in the UK at the time, and I guess it slipped me noticing.
And yeah I posted that interesting info about doping and the NBA, and I'm not at all convinced that the US team gets screened properly for all banned substances like everyone else. How is it that the US always has 'superior atheltic abilities' compared to everyone else from every other country? It's not only the US who can train athletes for sports to the highest level possible. Why is it all other countries' athletes look well exercised in a normal range, and Americans always look above this normal range?
It can't be said that there isn't something highly suspicious going on here
Guys I have no doubt that some Athletes are using drugs. Being an American athlete on a small scale I've witnessed steroid abuse. I know enough to suspect drug use in top tier athletes too. I also believe the NBA will have a scandal on its hand at some point. BUT and this is important the USA is not a 'normal' country when it comes to producing Athletes and 'uniquely special' Athletes. I think maybe some of you may be ignorant of how deep American Basketball infrastructure is. I'm not talking about the NBA. NBA is only the very tip of mountain of basketball structure that reaches down to a grass roots level. I say this humbly and not to be disrespectful BUT its obvious that you guys are underestimating USA basketball culture.
You asked: How is it that the US always has 'superior atheltic abilities' compared to everyone else from every other country? You asked Here are some questions and things to think about.
The reason US produces these athletes with superior abilities is because the US looks for these athletes where other countries with less infrastructure miss them. Also USA has a greater population therefore a greater pool of athletes. these two factors are very important.
Social scientist have overwhelmingly come to the conclusion that where and when you are born is important to what you accomplish in life. Europe also produces special athletes just not at the same volume as USA because those athletes don't play basketball.
Arvydas Sabonis born Lietuva in 1964 is someone with special ability. He may be the greatest center of all time. At 221cm/7'3" he possed amazing skill mixed with athletic abilty. BUT What if the great Sabas was born in Manchester, England in 1964? If he is raised in England,Would he have been the greatest center of all time? My answer is NO. I can tell you this if Sabonis is born in the USA he still becomes a great center. What do you think?
Dirk Nowitzki born in Germany 1978.He is a player wit special ability. Here is something interesting that is often repeated by Dirk and the American press. Nowitzki comes from an athletic family: his mother Helga was a professional basketball player and his father Jörg-Werner was a handball player who represented Germany at the highest international level. Nowitzki was a very tall child; most of the time he stood above his peers by a foot or more. He initially played handball and tennis,
but soon grew tired of being called a "freak" for his height and eventually turned to basketball. After joining the local DJK Würzburg, the 15-year-old attracted the attention of former German international basketball player Holger Geschwindner, who spotted his talent immediately and offered to coach him individually two to three times per week.
Handball?? Really? Why wasn't Basketball his first option?? Dirk in an interview said that he was lucky to find basketball it wasnt his main interest. Germany almost missed out on one of the greatest players to play the game. It could have been Dirk Nowitski would be in the handball hall of fame. lol
Roger Federer, Rapheal Nadal: both these guys are about 185cm and are very athletic. I believe there particular skill sets would transfer to basketball very well. I could see these guys as great point guards. I honestly think these guys should have basketballs in their hands. I'm willing to bet that neither of these guys grew up in an environment where basketball was the 1st option at sports. In the case of Nadal his father was a football player. He never had a chance to be anything but a footballer or an tennis player. If he was born in USA he would have been exposed to basketball. He would have at least tried it.
I could go on and do a survey of European athletes that play various sports football, tennis, track and field etc. then pick the most exceptional then translate those skills to basketball. I hope you get the point. With the exception of Ex-Yugo and Lietuva Europe as a whole doesn't develop their athletes with special abilities to play basketball. I't seems the majority of exceptional European athletes play sports other than basketball. Seriously could you imagine Dirk playing international handball?
By contrast in the USA children with ability are spotted early on. Recognized by most people in their communities. Especially by scouts, coaches of various organizations. Lebron James, Kevin Durant and Kevin Garnett are examples of this. Their are kids that are 12 years old that have their name on some scouter's list because they may have the 'potential'. My younger brother was an exceptional talent for american football. A University coach came to his Jr high game to watch him and introduced himself to my parents. He gave my parents his business card and said that he heard her oldest son(me) was good at track and offered to set up a walk on tryout for the University track team. When my mom told him that i was more interested in Physics. The coach said he would see what he could do. The next Monday we received a call from the University Physics department as well as the track coach. Why did he do this? Because he thought my brother had potential and he figured if his older brother went to his University then he would have a chance at my brother. My brother was only 15 at the time! Its like this everywhere in the USA with all the major sports. Many people in the US have known about Lebron since he was 15. If you have talent and ability in the USA someone will find you.
This is a question you should ask. How is it that the Ex-Yugo and Lietuva always has 'superior atheltic abilities' compared to everyone else from every other country in Europe? It's not only the Ex-Yugo and Lietuva who can train athletes for sports to the highest level possible. To me its not suspicious it's culture. USA has a deeper basketball culture than any other country. obviously Ex-Yugo and Lietuva have great culture too.