Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

[deaduck]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

When did taking a jumper become being "soft"? Basketball is a SKILLS game.

[ZB9]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

Dirk is definitely soft, remember the David West incident last year?

LOL you have no clue

Dirk didnt back down...he stepped to West...but it would have been ignorant for Dirk to punch West, or to shoot West in the face. That probably would have drawn a suspension from the league

but that wasnt an "incident". KG vs. Peeler was an "incident"


...It was a nice left hook by Peeler...if you will recall, KG did a lot of backpedaling after that, or maybe he was just practicing his moonwalk.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

LOL at OP never hearing about Zaza

Apparently nobody ever heard of Marc Gasol either

For the most part these guys are just brought up differently

[ZB9]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

Listen guys, not everyone can play the game like Kendrick Perkins!

but he's not "soft" LOL

[WilliamWilliamson]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

LOL you have no clue

Dirk didnt back down...he stepped to West...but it would have been ignorant for Dirk to punch West, or to shoot West in the face. That probably would have drawn a suspension from the league

but that wasnt an "incident". KG vs. Peeler was an "incident"

...It's a nice left hook by Peeler...if you will recall, KG did a lot of backpedaling after that, or maybe he was just practicing his moonwalk

Oh most definitely, I'm not a fan of KG's. I think the incident with Antonio Mcdyess was just as bad, he ran from him as well. He also backed down when Zaza got in his face.

Dirk did NOT step to David West. David West put his finger in the man's face and then smacked him like he was a little kid. You should watch the incident over again. I'm not saying Dirk should have punched the dude in the face, but at least push him out of your face. That's embarassing.

[ZB9]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

Dirk did NOT step to David West. David West put his finger in the man's face and then smacked him like he was a little kid. You should watch the incident over again. I'm not saying Dirk should have punched the dude in the face, but at least push him out of your face. That's embarassing.

your memory is faulty if you think he "smacked him". It was not even enough for West to get suspended.

Dirk did step to West, and he did not back up one inch. He took a lean towards west and went face to face letting west choose whether he wanted to go and see himself get tossed. It is is pro basketball, not 4th grade. West made a fool of himself. He couldn't get Dirk ruffled when he really was out of tactics. The Mavs lost the series but Dirk averaged 27 and 12 in the series.

The only people who think West got something up on Dirk are bottom barrel feeders, who's street tough ideal is the mature persons adolescent fool.

you need to change your name to "Toughie McTougherson", but I doubt you have a clue what "soft" entails. I dont know why you are bringing up some silly nonsense from last season, but I am getting sick of all of the ignorant agendas around here.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

but he's not "soft" LOL

There is nothing soft about Perk. He's very physical and doesn't back down from anyone. I guess this is the type of player the OP is looking for.

[ZB9]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

There is nothing soft about Perk. He's very physical and doesn't back down from anyone. I guess this is the type of player the OP is looking for.

lol that is like saying you would rather have a tow truck than a Ferrari

but basketball is a game of skill

[therealslasher]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

To all dudes saying Dirk got embarassed by West for not starting a fight... OOOkaaay

Dirk was playing in the PO's, a fight means suspension... It takes a lot of balls to stand your ground, suck it up and pay him back by dropping a jumper in his face... not to land a punch on his face

If a dude steps up to me in the streets and start calling me out, I'm not punching him or anything... I'm going to try and act if I don't care

Be the bigger person :-) ... Dirk did that, and did what's best for his team

EDIT: KG is soft... He starts a fight and backs out of it

[dragon4ever]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

I don't think you guys know what I mean when I say soft. I'm referring to soft as someone who isn't physical, doesn't play intimidating defense, likes to fight for rebounds and loose balls, someone who isn't afraid to bump elbows in the paint and have a strong low-post game both offensively and defensively.

The players I mentioned earlier should by default at least try and fit this bill because of the nature of the positions that they play. When was the last time a European BIG won the rebounding title or the best defensive player award? Charles Barkley, Shaq, Rodman, Bill Laimbeer, Rasheed Wallace are a prime example of what I'm talking about. C's and PF's are positions where you need to be physical.

[WilliamWilliamson]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

To all dudes saying Dirk got embarassed by West for not starting a fight... OOOkaaay

Dirk was playing in the PO's, a fight means suspension... It takes a lot of balls to stand your ground, suck it up and pay him back by dropping a jumper in his face... not to land a punch on his face

If a dude steps up to me in the streets and start calling me out, I'm not punching him or anything... I'm going to try and act if I don't care

Be the bigger person :-) ... Dirk did that, and did what's best for his team

EDIT: KG is soft... He starts a fight and backs out of it

So which is it? Did Dirk step to him or did he show restraint? Either way, I think David West got the last laugh, if I'm not mistaken.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

So soft means not being a thug and instead of getting in guys faces they just want to play the game?

[deaduck]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

I don't think you guys know what I mean when I say soft. I'm referring to soft as someone who isn't physical, doesn't play intimidating defense, likes to fight for rebounds and loose balls, someone who isn't afraid to bump elbows in the paint and have a strong low-post game both offensively and defensively.

That's a little clearer but I think the valid point remains that the european game values a different skill set and mindset at those positions. It doesn't make them "soft".

A strong shooting Euro center is going to draw that big physical player out from under the board on O limiting his rebounding ect. It's just a game of chess on the court.

[ehh]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

Dirk is definitely soft, remember the David West incident last year?

Sorry but being intelligent does not constitute being soft in my book.

[LingeringRegime]

Re: Why are European BIG men in the NBA so soft?

Sorry but being intelligent does not constitute being soft in my book.

I agree. It's easy to throw a punch when someone pushes your buttons. Dirk was anything but soft in that situation.

I equate soft as being more mental than physical. For example, in the Finals last year Lakers were up by 24 thought the game was over, premature celebrating, gloating, etc. Only to find themselves losing the game. To me that was soft.