Mike D'Antoni: The NBA wants to get closer to the European game
Mike D'Antoni
When the Euroleague started up just last autumn, all the talk was about the rule changes that came into effect worldwide after the Sydney Olympics, most notably the adoption of the 24-second shot clock that the NBA had played with since 1955. Lo and behold, less than half a year later, the NBA is the one changing rules to get closer to the world standard, most notably accepting zones again. Perhaps there is no one more knowledgeable about the proximity of the two basketball styles than Mike D'Antoni, the Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach who spent almost 20 years as a championship player and coach in Italy. Euroleague.net talked with D'Antoni this week about how the two basketball worlds are coming closer together and the effect on European players playing on either side of the Atlantic.
A year after world basketball went through rule changes to get closer to the NBA; the NBA has moved towards world basketball by allowing zones. How do you feel about the changes?
I'm glad the NBA is going to it. I think it?s great. I hear all the time from NBA people who, when they went to Europe to see games, either Euroleague games or national playoffs or whatever, they come back saying they enjoyed the European game more. The flow is better, the zones add something, there's more variety, ball movement. Now, these changes are an attempt by the NBA to really make the game more pleasing to the eye.
Were a lot of NBA coaches against the changes?
There are a lot of coaches who don?t think they'll work, but I really disagree. Coaching got to the point were there was so much isolation for one-on-one plays that it was just the same thing over and over again, and the fans were turned off by it. Referees, who had to call illegal defenses all the time, just got tired of it and a lot of times wouldn't call it anyway, because the rules were so complicated and it just broke up the flow of the game. These rule changes are away to clean it up and make the game better. We'll see how they work.
This the biggest change in NBA basketball in a long time, isn't it?
No question about it. It's definitely noteworthy, and a little overdue. It?s a big change, and it'll hurt some players who have been around a long time playing one way. They'll suffer, because the rules will eliminate people on the floor who don't have skills. It will hurt the guy who can't shoot, because his defender can now stay off him.
Will long-time NBA coaches have trouble coping so drastic a change?
I don?t think so. I think you'll see them adapt somewhat easily. On their coaching staffs, there are a lot of guys who coached in college recently using and going against zones. I'm sure they'll try things that might not work in the beginning. But these guys are too good not to be able to figure it out and make it work for them.
Doesn't it favor someone like you who coached zones in Europe?
It favors the coaches with good players, as all rules do. If you've got players and talent, you'll find ways to score. If you don't, you'll lose more than you win no matter what the rules say.
What about European players already in the NBA, does it favor them?
The Europeans, yes, because they are big guys who can shoot. They maybe aren't as tough defensively or big muscularly, but now the zones will go to their strength. People like Nowitzki and Stojakovic will even be better. And they are good anyway. They are really killing NBA teams, these guys.
Do you predict that the NBA will come to Europe looking for shooters to break zones?
I think so. But they are already doing something similar, and it won?t change drastically. Maybe teams that didn't like European players before will go now and be more open to signing them. But that has as much to do with Stojakovic, Nowitzki, Kukoc and these guys who are playing so great, really. The rule changes might just facilitate it a little, speed up the process of getting Europeans more involved here.
Mike, triumph Lega 96/97 with Benetton
The classic example is the European shooter who might not be quick enough to guard NBA perimeter players. Will NBA teams take a chance on him now?
Sure, because they have a lot better chance of defending if they can?t be isolated. The team defense is no longer handicapped by a player like that and what he does well, namely shoot, will be a positive asset, moreso than before. And you can hide a weaker defensive player a little in a zone. But this will change American kids who want to make it to the NBA, too. The emphasis will be on guys who can move the ball and shoot it, no matter where they are from.
How much have you been able to follow European ball this season?
As much as I can. I have heard about Kinder. In fact, someone called right after won the Italian Cup. That reminds me of Rigaudeau, who I really like. He, to me, is a great player. There's no doubt he can play in the NBA, and I really think they missed the boat on him when he came over here looking for a team. I mean, he's big, he handles, he shoots, he just knows how to play and he's competitive. Somebody should have grabbed him up in the NBA. But they missed out on him. So believe me, you're lucky to be watching some guys like him who we can't see over here.
May 3, 2001 Frank Lawlor, Eurolegue.net
