Jeff Van Gundy Compares Physicality Of FIBA Competition To 90s Playoff Basketball

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Jeff Van Gundy Compares Physicality Of FIBA Competition To 90s Playoff Basketball 

Post#1 » by RealGM Wiretap » Wed Mar 13, 2019 5:05 am

Jeff Van Gundy said he was initially caught off-guard by the physicality of FIBA play after taking over as the head coach of the U.S. men's basketball team.


"I was an absolute novice when I came to FIBA basketball, learning day by day about how good the teams are, how hard they play, just how rough FIBA (competition) is. That’s nineties playoff basketball in the NBA, hand-to-hand combat, fist down your throat, elbow in your chest, on every possession. You have to get used to it and you have to embrace the differences," said Van Gundy.


Van Gundy warned USA Basketball that the level of international play continues to improve. 


"These windows have to serve as a warning for USA Basketball to grow even more because all of these teams are getting better and we were very fortunate to qualify. Having taken part in them, I think they've been positive for teams that don't get to play much together, like Cuba, Panama and Venezuela, who grew so much. I think FIBA has, as its primary objective, growing basketball on a global level. And the windows work in order to achieve this objective."

Via FIBA

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Re: Jeff Van Gundy Compares Physicality Of FIBA Competition To 90s Playoff Basketball 

Post#2 » by njknicks » Wed Mar 13, 2019 5:21 am

Long term - with the NBA not prioritizing dollars over quality of play - FIBA will become the gold standard for how professional basketball is supposed to be played in terms of quality of play & skill level while the NBA will be diminished to an AAU pipeline.

Its no wonder there is over 20% less viewership this year alone - the quality of play has declined dramatically : 3pt and layups - no other plays ran in the NBA. Also the league is extremely top heavy - aside from GSW, who else can legitimately challenge for a championship?

The NBA needs to focus on QUALITY of play ( as well as the monetary growth ) to continue to build the best sports league in the world. They have ventured into eLeague, sports betting, international league in Africa, overseas games ... all nice features to grow the league but they need to focus on the quality of the gameplay and officiating.

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