Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted May 31, 2004 When watching AND1 programming on ESPN, I wonder why a lot of those guys aren't playing in the NBA. I've been to big time parks -- Rucker park included -- and I've seen amazing street ballers with skills most NBA players can't even dream of. Why aren't these guys getting tryouts? Are they truly not good enough to make the NBA when guys like Greg Anthony, Tim Legler, and Luke Walton are? Is there a lot of politics involved in who goes to the NBA and who doesn't? Because I truly believe there are players out there better than the NBA's elite crop of athletes who are lost in parks and playgrounds. What do you guys think? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest HungryJack Report post Posted May 31, 2004 most likely because they = can't play D, can't pass outside of flashy, no-look bullshit, and refuse to learn the fundamentals of the game. That said, there are some streetball players that made it to the NBA,. Rafer ALston springs to mind immediately, at least. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damaramu 0 Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Most of those guys in AND1 and on the street are great one on one players and can put on impressive dunking exhibitions. But when it comes to the fundamentals of basketball and the team concept....they suck shit. Plus they don't know defense. That's why they aren't in the NBA. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Street ball is VASTLY different than NBA. The rules are different, and most of the street ballers doesn't have the discipline to go through 82 games. Their tricks would get figured out and countered within two weeks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted May 31, 2004 I don't know...Kobe Bryant, T-MAC, Iverson and Marbury aren't exactly great "team" players either who are adept at the team concept. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted May 31, 2004 I don't know...Kobe Bryant, T-MAC, Iverson and Marbury aren't exactly great "team" players either who are adept at the team concept. But they do co-exist in a team system. The street ballers would get all bitchy when they realize they won't be as big stars in NBA as they were on the streets. Ever heard of the saying, "Big fish in a small pond"? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Funny...since T-Mac and A.I have based thier careers off carrying a shitty team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest HungryJack Report post Posted May 31, 2004 and neither of them have ever won SHIT. funny how that works. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted May 31, 2004 You're telling me these street ballers, who are struggling to make ends meet, aren't willing to sacrifice their pride and parts of their game for a minimum salary of 600,000 annually? I have a hard time believing that these guys refuse to work within a team system, since many are incredibly athletic and more than capable of doing so, especially when there's lots of cash to be made. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted May 31, 2004 I don't think it has much to do with team play as it does with simply their particular skills. There are plenty of guys who could pile up high stolen base totals, but will never play Major League Baseball because they can't hit. Same here. The streetballers have great skills, but they aren't the skills crucial to winning basketball. In addition, streetball usually doesn't have the big big inside, physical players like Shaq and such. These players effect the NBA game greatly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted May 31, 2004 You're telling me these street ballers, who are struggling to make ends meet, aren't willing to sacrifice their pride and parts of their game for a minimum salary of 600,000 annually? I have a hard time believing that these guys refuse to work within a team system, since many are incredibly athletic and more than capable of doing so, especially when there's lots of cash to be made. Exactly what alkeiper said. They just don't have the proper grasp of NBA fundamentals. They depend on a few flashy moves that pops the crowds. They will crash and burn when they realize it takes a lot more than that to succeed in the NBA. And they will feel like failures and bitch about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted May 31, 2004 and neither of them have ever won SHIT. funny how that works. well...Funny how they are never given anyone to work with and are forced to carry the team on their own. Garnett couldn't do it on his own until Spree and Sam came along... Every superstar needs help... Jordan carried the Bulls for 4 years until he got help from Pippen... So for now...those two will continue to carry their respective shitty teams as far as possible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted May 31, 2004 and neither of them have ever won SHIT. funny how that works. A.I. won the Eastern Conference. I don't think you can seriously think their failures are solely their own fault. I think Shaq and Co. have more to do with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Yeah, but they can always be molded to fit NBA standards. The transition can't be THAT difficult. What I figure is that most NBA players are pretty even skill-wise, but it's the mentality and confidence that separates the great players from the mediocre ones. Just look at Devean George -- he's very athletic, but is too easily discouraged when he doesn't hit his first few shots from the field. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted May 31, 2004 You're telling me these street ballers, who are struggling to make ends meet, aren't willing to sacrifice their pride and parts of their game for a minimum salary of 600,000 annually? I have a hard time believing that these guys refuse to work within a team system, since many are incredibly athletic and more than capable of doing so, especially when there's lots of cash to be made. I forgot about that aspect... They die in a week instead of two. having seen them on AND1 and other similar shows, they are nothing but Welfare cash checking baby daddy lazy bums who think the world owns them a favor... Not ALL...but alot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Yeah, but they can always be molded to fit NBA standards. The transition can't be THAT difficult. What I figure is that most NBA players are pretty even skill-wise, but it's the mentality and confidence that separates the great players from the mediocre ones. Just look at Devean George -- he's very athletic, but is too easily discouraged when he doesn't hit his first few shots from the field. That's what college is for, to transition themselves to a more team-oriented, fundamentally sound system. Well except for those high schoolers who at least played high school ball. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted May 31, 2004 I should clarify my point. Its not that they are UNWILLING to learn, its simply that the skills are not there. More credit to them that they succeed in a different environment more suited to their skills. What I figure is that most NBA players are pretty even skill-wise, but it's the mentality and confidence that separates the great players from the mediocre ones. Great players are separated by talent, in any sport. Mentality and confidence are usually bullshit dumps. Talent almost always works like a pyramid. The closer to the bottom, the more similar players you find. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted May 31, 2004 You're telling me these street ballers, who are struggling to make ends meet, aren't willing to sacrifice their pride and parts of their game for a minimum salary of 600,000 annually? I have a hard time believing that these guys refuse to work within a team system, since many are incredibly athletic and more than capable of doing so, especially when there's lots of cash to be made. I forgot about that aspect... They die in a week instead of two. having seen them on AND1 and other similar shows, they are nothing but Welfare cash checking baby daddy lazy bums who think the world owns them a favor... Not ALL...but alot. So funny and so true. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Yeah, but they can always be molded to fit NBA standards. The transition can't be THAT difficult. What a STUPID statement. Aside from the LeBron James, Kobe, Garnett and T-Macs...we are clearly seeing that High School ball (which is a level ABOVE Streetball) aren't ready for the transition. The same would be true for streetballers, whom don't even play a similar STYLE as High schoolers do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Rafer Alston turned out to be a mild success for the Heat; he has adapted fairly well to the NBA style and became quite clutch in the waning moments of Miami's season. However, besides Alston, I can't think of anyone else getting a shot to prove their worth. How does the NBA know they'd fail if they aren't given a shot? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Because they would rather and justifiedably so, take the "risk" on someone who already knows the fundamentals over having to teach someone those skills. I'm willing to bet that Rafer Alston had college expirence...which MANY of these fuckers DON'T have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Are you kidding me, Choken One ? Most of these "streetballers" played high school ball, and AT LEAST Division 3 ball, and were pretty successful at it, too. Rafer Alston, if you didn't know, played College ball, as well. So, most of them are familiar with the High School/College systems, and this is WHY the transition shouldn't be that difficult. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted May 31, 2004 But NBA is soured on street ballers. That's why no tryouts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Are you kidding me, Choken One ? Most of these "streetballers" played high school ball, and AT LEAST Division 3 ball, and were pretty successful at it, too. Rafer Alston, if you didn't know, played College ball, as well. So, most of them are familiar with the High School/College systems, and this is WHY the transition shouldn't be that difficult. I played High School Basketball...does that Mean I'm the next Tony Parker? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Today I saw my old friend Johnny at a park, a 6'1" demon on the court . I went to a bunch of his high school games, and let me tell you, the guy was a sight to behold with uncanny athleticism. He's currently playing Division 3 ball, and is very familiar with the "team system." He told me that politics are a main reason why guys like him aren't playing in the NBA. So, who knows? Edit: Since the NBA has room for only so many players, I'm assuming quite a few talented players are being overlooked. For instance, would anyone have noticed Dwight Howard if he was playing high school ball in Oklahoma, as opposed to a big market city like Atlanta? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Yeah and Cleveland Ohio is a BIG market. That's a STUPID theory. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Salacious Crumb Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Today I saw my old friend Johnny at a park, a 6'1" demon on the court . I went to a bunch of his high school games, and let me tell you, the guy was a sight to behold with uncanny athleticism. He's currently playing Division 3 ball, and is very familiar with the "team system." He told me that politics are a main reason why guys like him aren't playing in the NBA. So, who knows? Edit: Since the NBA has room for only so many players, I'm assuming quite a few talented players are being overlooked. For instance, would anyone have noticed Dwight Howard if he was playing high school ball in Oklahoma, as opposed to a big market city like Atlanta? It's because he's Division 3. The guy isn't even playing in the highest calibur in what he's in right now. He's making excuses for not having what it takes to be in that few percent that make it to the big leagues. I won Gold Glove awards in my softball league, does that suddenly mean I'm an MLB calibur player? It means I was good at the LEVEL I was playing at. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Cleveland is a respectable market. You've got the Cavs, Indians and Browns. How many times does WWE run shows there? A lot. How many times does WWE visit Montana or South Dakota? Almost never. Let's see here: Kobe Bryant played High School ball in Philadelphia Garnett -- Chicago Sebastian Telfair -- Brooklyn McGrady -- Pennsylvania Kwame Brown -- Atlanta, GA Jermaine O'Neal -- South Carolina Lebron -- Cleveland, OH Just look at Ben Wallace. He was a nobody in college, but with the opportunity he got to play in the NBA, and with time, he became an All-Star and defensive player of the year. I dunno... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Salacious Crumb Report post Posted May 31, 2004 Cleveland is not a basketball market. The team couldn't draw shit until LeBron got there where the Browns/Indians draw no matter what. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted May 31, 2004 That's not true. In the days of Price and Daugherty, the Cavs were in the top ten attendance-wise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
