Players such as Kevin Durant played from dawn to dusk, shredding the courts of Washington D.C., while other players like Mario Chalmers, an Alaskan native, played from dusk to dawn due to Alaska's twenty-four hour daylight during certain times of the year.
However, Europeans, South Americans and Asians are diversifying the style of play in the NBA. German-born Nowitzki is an overseas player who has significantly contributed to the NBA for the better; he has won an NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks, becoming the Finals MVP in 2011. Meanwhile, for players like Serbia's Darko Milicic, playing in the NBA has not been a smooth transition, only averaging a lowly six points per game for his career. Being selected just after LeBron James as the number two pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, Milicic has definitely not lived up to expectations. Other notable NBA players whom have excelled are Argentina's Manu Ginobli, Spain's Jose Calderon, Turkey's Hedo Turkoglu, Serbia's Peja Stojakovic and many more.
Soccer also known as futbol is the world's most popular sport. The game can be found being played in the slums of Rio De Janiero to the streets of Tokyo. If born American, the typical dream for a soccer player looking to play professionally is to take their talents to soccer's heartbeat, Europe.
Similar of how European basketball players are attracted to America, American soccer players are attracted to Europe. Europe is a soccer factory of the world's finest players. Through academies, players are taught how to play with intelligence, skill, craft and tactics.
There are Americans, however, that have stepped foot onto European soil. The first to do so in Italy's top soccer league, Alexi Lalas. Lalas was the model face for American soccer players in 1994.
Clint Dempsey is a success story, growing up in a trailer park in South Texas to making it onto the USA national team as well as playing overseas for Fulham, and now being rumored to join one of the elite clubs in the Premier League, Liverpool. Dempsey has proven to the English that Americans are no push over when it comes to soccer; his play displays fight and grit, desperately wanting to remove the label of America not being a fanatic of soccer, and hopefully, one day, becoming a soccer powerhouse.
In addition, Landon Donovan has been beneficial for American soccer, recognizably known for his last-minute goal against Algeria in the 2010 World Cup, sending the Americans to the group stages. If you need to be reminded, here you go...
Although, his stint in Europe did not go the way he planned, deciding to move back and play in America with the MLS. Still, Donovan manages to give American soccer headlines, performing well in the MLS and international competitions. Other notable players whom have gone overseas to play are Oguchi Onyewu, Giuseppe Rossi, Michael Bradley, Carlos Bocanegra, Jozy Altidore and many more.
Similar of how European basketball players are attracted to America, American soccer players are attracted to Europe. Europe is a soccer factory of the world's finest players. Through academies, players are taught how to play with intelligence, skill, craft and tactics.
There are Americans, however, that have stepped foot onto European soil. The first to do so in Italy's top soccer league, Alexi Lalas. Lalas was the model face for American soccer players in 1994.
Clint Dempsey is a success story, growing up in a trailer park in South Texas to making it onto the USA national team as well as playing overseas for Fulham, and now being rumored to join one of the elite clubs in the Premier League, Liverpool. Dempsey has proven to the English that Americans are no push over when it comes to soccer; his play displays fight and grit, desperately wanting to remove the label of America not being a fanatic of soccer, and hopefully, one day, becoming a soccer powerhouse.
In addition, Landon Donovan has been beneficial for American soccer, recognizably known for his last-minute goal against Algeria in the 2010 World Cup, sending the Americans to the group stages. If you need to be reminded, here you go...
Although, his stint in Europe did not go the way he planned, deciding to move back and play in America with the MLS. Still, Donovan manages to give American soccer headlines, performing well in the MLS and international competitions. Other notable players whom have gone overseas to play are Oguchi Onyewu, Giuseppe Rossi, Michael Bradley, Carlos Bocanegra, Jozy Altidore and many more.
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