Athletes or Entertainers

[joshrblabber]

I love international hoops. The olympics this year showed very clearly the difference between the US and the rest of the world. US players are entertainers first - winning is secondary to showing off their amazing skills, and teamwork is an afterthought only to be considered if the score is too close. Watching the teamwork of teams like Lithuania and Croatia, on the other hand, is a joy. While the rest of the world plays basketball, the US makes reality TV shows. US players are like Cirque de Soleil performers, their athletic skills are designed to entertain. I don't blame the players, that's where their bread is buttered, but it is a shame for old-school basketball fans like me who long for the up-tempo passing game.

I think Danny understands this and his roster moves and draft choices reflect it. He consistently puts competitive drive over raw talent. I can't think of another GM that would have drafted and stuck with a guy like Avery Bradley, for example. I love what he is doing - if Brown competes with the intensity of AB and Smart (and Crowder!) we are going to be in really good shape. I think our competitive drive this year should be [HASH]1 in the league - no show-offs in Boston, thank you. Now all we need is a little more well-directed talent.
 

[FLCeltsFan]

Good points. I agree about the way Team USA played in the Olympics. I think that's the danger of putting together a team of mostly stars. You need a few role players to play team ball. Stars want to star and not many want to put the hard work into being defensive stoppers.

I also agree with you about the type of players that Danny has brought in. Players who are hard workers and who work on defense and are coachable. Very well said, no show offs in Boston. It's so much more fun watching team ball than hero ball.

TP for you!

[freshnthehouse]

I think a player like Jaylen though shows that DA is willing to swing for the fences and draft a guy that has both a low floor and a high ceiling. I'd take Buddy Heild's competitive drive over pretty much anyone in this draft. But he just doesn't have the ceiling that Jaylen does.