Q&A: Interview with a Former NBA Player
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Interview with a Former NBA Player
Question
“What do you see as the main difference between Israeli and European basketball and American basketball?”
“Basketball here is like chess. A very strategic game. I’ll try this move, and I’ll break down the opponent with the next idea. In the U.S. it’s a different pace—they run, they play much more simply. There they try to shoot as quickly as possible, and here they try to get to the best and smartest shot.”
Do you agree with that, Michi?
Answer
I’m hardly qualified to say. I don’t see those differences with my own eyes, but maybe I’m mistaken.
Discussion on Answer
Kobe is speaking from his own feelings. He wasn’t a team player and blames the league for it.
Boston and Cleveland are examples of teams that play chess.
Absolutely true. Though in my opinion European tactics won’t help against a shot from Jokic or Curry, and that’s why in America they give up on the chess—because individual ability outweighs it and makes it unnecessary.