It has been ten years since a white American made an All-NBA team. However, Europeans like Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic are dominating the league. Why is that?
For NBA veteran Rex Chapman , the explanation is simple. Europeans do not discourage their children if they want to play basketball at an early age. Chapman explained his thoughts on the matter at the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast. the 12-year NBA vet.
"They are not dissuading the kids from playing basketball. They're not; we are. We're, 'Nah, you can't play that sport. It doesn't suit your race.' That's not how these guys are brought up," said the 12-year NBA vet.
Chapman, who played 12 seasons in the Association, made some interesting points. While many white kids would love to play for their hometown college team and the NBA, the cultural bias from their parents prevents that from happening. As a result, they don't get much-needed early training compared with the kids in Europe.
An "endangered species?"
The host's question to Chapman has racial overtones, which was what the entire episode was about. Torre asks about the disappearance of the white American star while the rest of the world sees an explosion. Is it true that the Larry Birds and the John Stocktons are all but gone?
Here's one way to find out: If we trace All-NBA teams from NBA.com, Kevin Love was the last white American to earn a nod. The UCLA product and 2016 NBA champion made the 2014 All-NBA Second Team playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
How far back should we go back before we see another one? It's 15 years from 2014. Guess who made an All-NBA team that year? A 37-year-old Stockton managed to squeak into the Third Team in 1999. Besides the all-time steals and assists leader, Mark Price made the All-NBA Third Team all the way back in 1994.
Clearly, that question had substance.
'Guys are not coddled in Europe'
The Kentucky alum continued to share intriguing insights, drawing comparisons to how the Europeans and Americans train their young players. Two things that stood out the most are that they respect coaches and Euros don't pamper players across all basketball levels. For Chapman, this type of preparation leads to a higher basketball IQ and a tougher mentality.
"The other thing, they know time and score, or they know the possession, they know everything because they've been coached extremely hard from a very young age. And if they talk back, or if they gave any lip, this or that? No, f*** you, sit down, you're not gonna play," said The Boy Wonder.
He continued: "They don't coddle their AAU-aged kids in Europe. Guys are not coddled. Guys are not coddled playing professional ball in Europe. So, when European players come over here… they feel like it's easier in this league."
Related: "Rings are all that matter" - When Magic clapped back at LeBron for excluding him from his Top 3 best players of all time
The search for the Great White Hope
After Bird, Stockton, and Price, the NBA was in dire need of the next white American star. Chapman was a candidate, and he claimed his representation thought he'd be drafted by specific teams because of his skin color.
"They (his agents) were like, 'Well, they'll take him here because..' I was like, 'Take him here because what?' And they were like, you know, that you're white. I was like, 'What are you f****** talking about?' They're like, 'Well, Rex, most of the season ticket holders are white, and the sponsors are white, and the fans are white. People want to see people play that kinda look like them,'" added the 1988 eighth overall pick.
We don't know if that still holds true. After all, that was 36 years ago. If it still does, Chet Holmgren or Cooper Flagg may change the trajectory starting next year.
Related: "You play just like a n-word, but you get to be white" - Rex Chapman recalled a racist comment from a fan during his HS basketball days
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