Bryant: European players more skilled | Inquirer Sports

Bryant: European players more skilled

/ 10:55 AM January 04, 2015

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, tries to shoot as Memphis Grizzlies forward Tayshaun Prince knocks the ball away during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, in Los Angeles. AP FILE PHOTO

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, tries to shoot as Memphis Grizzlies forward Tayshaun Prince knocks the ball away during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, in Los Angeles. AP FILE PHOTO

LOS ANGELES, United States – European youth basketball coaches are doing a better job of teaching the game’s fundamentals than their US counterparts, and the results show in the NBA, Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant says.

Bryant, speaking after the Lakers’ 109-106 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night, said that players such as the Grizzlies’ Spanish big man Marc Gasol — and his brother Pau — have been given a better background in basketball basics.

Article continues after this advertisement

“In America, it’s a big problem for us,” Bryant said, in comments reported by the Los Angeles Times. “We’re not teaching players how to play all-around basketball.

FEATURED STORIES

“That’s why you have Pau and you have Marc and the reason why 90 percent of the (San Antonio) Spurs roster are European players, because they have more skills.”

In fact the reigning champion Spurs are a veritable United Nations of basketball, with a team featuring French players Tony Parker and Boris Diaw along with Argentina’s Manu Ginobili. Italy, Brazil, Australia and Canada are also represented on their roster as well as the United States.

Article continues after this advertisement

Bryant said his own skills owe much to the childhood years he spent in Italy when his father, Joe Bryant, played basketball there.

Article continues after this advertisement

Had all of his early basketball education come in the United States, Bryant said, “I probably wouldn’t be able to dribble with my left, shoot with my left, have good footwork.”

Article continues after this advertisement

RELATED STORIES

Kobe Bryant sets record for most missed field goals
MJ’s worst is 10 times better than Kobe’s best, says Miller

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Basketball, Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers, NBA

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.