Watch these amazing documentaries: http://nikefootball.nike.com/nikefootball/siteshell/index.jsp#,us;ginga Then you will understand how Brazil produced so many world class players, and that the US or any other countries are so far away from producing the quantity as well as the quality of players similar to the Brazilians.
Got to love the time between Christmas and New Year's. Cubical mates are on vacation + boss is busy catching up on reading periodicals = more time to watch Nike videos (and post on BS). Those were awesome! I'd compare those players with the pure street basketball players in NYC. Every once in a while a player makes it big time, but there are hundreds more that have unbelievable skills and don't make it. My guess is because they don't get the chance, or don't have some of the other things needed for a full size field (defense, sprint speed, endurance, team tactics, mental strength, etc) Still I think Brazil could take 3 teams to the WC and finish all 3 in the top 4. US will of course win the whole shooting match, but they can take 2 through 4
I know a lot of tricksters who can't play the real game for ********. On the other hand, there's nothing like having millions of kids passionate to be the next Pele, in a country with the youth development resources to take the best of those kids as far as they can go. The passion, that's what comes through for me.
I'd say brazil's players 24-46 would qualify, but I wouldn't make them all that much a factor advancing out of group play..... if someone could figure out who those 2nd set of 23 would be, I'd think we'd seea weakness or two which could be exposed.. sort of like usa basketball team without it's top stars equivalent
the difference is that Brazil's top soccer players play as a team and our top basketball players don't wanna play and when they do, they play like individuals. but us basketball is more beatable than brazilian soccer.
Side point but I don't fully agree. I mean yes, the best players don't always participate because it's not the Basketball World Cup, is it? But the guys who do participate are often earnest and hard working. They just aren't good enough. The overseas teams tend to be sounder fundamentally ... so much for the virtues of street basketball.
the best would be to "kidnapp" Ronaldo, Ronaldino and other top brazilian stars and ask them for their secret We Germans would also like to know brazilian secret. But I´m sure many would like to know german secret as well, especially our secret about Penalty shoots - we are the best on this in the world bltleo GERMANY