A Comparative Analysis of American v. European Coaching

I suppose that my job, is in some ways, similar to anyone else's in that sometimes we are daydreaming when we should be working. Often times in practice when one is going through drills which require little focus, one's mind tends to wander.

On this particular night, while shooting with Misha (my German counterpart in the post), my wandering mind began to analyze the intricacies of basketball. Specifically, why it is that Europeans, on average, are much more versatile on the basketball court, than most American players I know. For the sake of the non-basketball readers, I shall elaborate.
The simplicity of what Misha and I were doing (i.e. practicing shooting 3 point shots, when we are post players) helped to clarify my analytical mumbo jumbo. You see, it all boils down to one simple thing, the way we are taught the game in our youth.
In other words, learning the game of basketball in Europe and learning the game in the United States are two very different things.

For example, the style of your typical American center (6'7 and above), consists of lumbering up and down the court, jumping when necessary to rebound or dunk, avoiding dribbling the ball at all costs and not shooting ball outside 15-17 feet.
Conversely, the style of your typical European center (6'7 and above), consists of alittle bit of everything. While they still lumber, jump when necessary to rebound or dunk, they can often times handle the ball, and shooting from considerably farther away than the said American.
At this point you may find yourself thinking, why on God's green Earth would the Americans not be able to do everything the Euro's could do? I mean, we spawned the sport.
I reiterate, it all boils down to vastly distinctive schools of thought.
In the United States, once a child in the basketball world reaches a certain height or weight (Usually anywhere over 6'4 and 175lbs.) The child is thrust into the confines of "the post", this means, he or she is no longer allowed to dribble the ball up the court, he or she is no longer allowed to run the court like a guard (thus, the child must make a considerable effort to rebound the shots of other teammates or opposing players), and he or she is certainly not to take a shot outside the 3 point perimeter.
Henceforth, the basketball training is now segregrated, and just like the 1950's, guards and post players are sequestered at seperate ends of the court when preforming individual training, and no integration is allowed.
In most European countries, that same child reaching that same height or weight, will still be thought of as a post player, however, European coaches see no reason why this same player should not learn every skill set, making the player more versatile, thus more valuable on the court. Thereupon, post players also practice shooting/dribbling, and guards practice post moves.
The reasoning behind this still being unbeknownst to me, however, I was able to postulate several theories, during our 3 hour practice.

Our school of thought behind indivdual training in the U.S. reflects our sentiments as country, we are stubborn and lazy. The United States believes that it is superior in its training and chooses not evolve.
Or most coaches in the U.S. are too lazy to take the time to teach to fundamentals of guard play to posts, and vice versa.

To support my wild theory, I don't have to delve into my basketball history more than year, to find the perfect example.

I am playing for the University of Alaska Nanooks, and we are nearing the end of our season, I am shooting the ball, probably better than I ever have in my career (58% FG, 51% 3PT). We are having a practice on the road in Idaho, as usual, we have have paired off into two man teams for shooting practice (One shooter, one rebounder).
After taking 20 or so shots from inside the 3 point arc, I decide it best to get some 3 point shots in (for I averaged about four 3 point shots per game, sometimes at crucial moments).
My American coach and his assitant see me stepping out and practicing 3 point shots, almost immedietly our assitant walks over and shouts at me to get back inside the 3 point line. Upon hearing this, I calmly remind him, that I am shooting over 50% from 3 point range, and it benifits the team for me to practice such a shot. Ataken back, and pride most likely hurt, our assitant (with no college basketball playing expirence to speak of) shuffles back to our coach, and whisperes, something to effect of, "Who does Colin think he is, practicing 3 point shots when he knows he is a post." This gets the attention of our head coach (a post player in his younger days), who tells me to get back inside the 3 point line. In case you aren't scratching your head hard enough, it gets a little more insane. During our water break (when shot selection isn't usually monitered), I decided to take some 3 point shots. And as I am shooting, I hear the sarcastic voice of our assitant coach, counting my misses, as if this somehow shows me the error of my ways, and I will beg his forgiveness.
This was our coaching staff, preventing me from shooting 3's, trying their best to deflate my confidence, the day before a game...

So if I may impart something to both coaches and players. It is that this game is evolving, and we as participants, must evolve with it. Coaches, take the time to work kids on ALL aspects of their game, regardless of height/weight. Players, if a coach is trying to limit you by pigeonholing you in a position, take the time on your own to practice all facets of the game. You both will be better for it. I promise you.