After USA’s FIBA Humiliation, Kobe Bryant’s Resurfaced Clip on ‘Going Backwards’ Sheds Light on Core Issue

The NBA has produced the greatest basketball players in the history of the sport. LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and the list goes on. Many basketball records were made and broken by these successful entities. However, the current situation signifies itself in irony as the recently concluded FIBA Basketball World Cup didn’t prove to be fruitful for the USA.

A clip of Kobe talking about the rise in the levels of international basketball a few years ago has since resurfaced, and the Black Mamba may have been right.

Kobe Bryant reflected on the basics of the game

Following the USA finishing 4th at the FIBA World Cup 2023, Kobe Bryant’s old video has resurfaced. Making spins on the internet, the video shows Kobe speaking about FIBA basketball and the international players.

During Bryant’s appearance on ESPN’s First Take in 2017, the 5x NBA champion was asked whether the game in the US had gone backward. Kobe’s explanation of the intricacies of the mindset of international players has caught the eyes of many basketball enthusiasts.

“So, when I grew up, I grew up overseas in Italy, I was very fortunate because I caught the teaching time in Europe. So, you know the Red Holzman’s, the Tex Winter, all these great coaches at the time went over to Europe to teach coaches. They had coaching clinics of how to train players,” Bryant revealed.

Kobe elaborated on his experience of having knowledge of the European style of playing the game. And it was the same case with international superstars like Pau Gasol, Manu Ginobili, and more.

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He also drew a comparison between American and other international players by adding, “So, when you look at the difficulty that we have had in international competition is because these players learn how to play the game and think the game at all levels. So, we have to do a better job developing our players.” 

Kobe’s words may be turning out to be true as the quality of basketball players in other countries has significantly improved. While the 2023 roster could only finish 4th, a team consisting of the actual best stars of the NBA might have had no trouble winning the Gold.

The USA used to win Gold medals with college stars before the 80s. After the disappointment in the 1988 Olympics, the US sent out the big guns in 1992 to reclaim the Gold and ever since, NBA stars have been a part of the roster. However, it seems like the best of the best might be needed now.

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What are your thoughts on Kobe’s resurfaced take? Let us know in the comments below.