Tiago Splitter Know well European basketball (where he played 10 seasons) and NBA basketball (He won a champion ring with San Antonio Spurs in 2014). That is why it is convenient to take into account the opinion of the Brazilian, which this last campaign successfully directed the Paris Basketball, on The difference from the game to either side of the Atlantic.
He 40 -year -old former player and coach, That he will not continue to direct the French team next season, he knows well the differences between European and American basketball. And puts the emphasis on how hard the game is in the Old Continent, something that in the Mecca of basketball usually happens unnoticedbut that he has lived in his flesh as a player and as a coach.
Chus Mateo, coach of Real Madrid, talks to a referee in a Euroleague match.
Asked about the main differences between both game styles, Splitter is clear: “The strategy, the hardness, how difficult it is, the contacts so strong that occur on the court … People have no idea that European basketball is much more physical. “
More permissiveness in FIBA basketball
And puts the emphasis on That contact game and how much is allowed in Europe unlike the NBAalthough many people have thought that historically it is precisely the opposite. And he argues: “Think about the NBA: if you touch someone, it's missing. Here, for you to pit a foul, you have to beg the referee to point it out, you know? “
People have no idea that European basketball is much more physical than that of the NBA, there is a lot of hardness and they do not know how difficult it is even the strong contacts that occur on the court
Splitter's words They revive the global debate on hardness in basketball and style difference After being proclaimed for seventh campaign followed by the season an international player, the Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderflanked by the Serbian Nikola Jokic and for the Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo.
NBA stars match
A debate in which several NBA stars entered on their day that, such as Tiago Splitterthey consider that European basketball is more physical. “It's much more difficult,” valoraba Pretense during an average day of the Milwaukee Bucks. That statement surprised the American media, who asked about Jokic: “Is it more difficult? Yes, because in Europe you have to think faster”, The Serbian explained.
“Here in Europe they do not whistle, you have to get used to giving you some good things
Lauri MarkkanenJazz player and star of the Finland team, coincides with Splitter by pointing out the difference in arbitration criteria between FIBA basketball and the NBA: “They don't whistle here, you have to get used to giving you some good things,”explained the Finnish wing when asked about it.
Doncic highlights team defense in Europe
“When I arrived at the NBA, I never expected to be such a good scorer. I have never been, and that surprised me,” said Luka Doncicwhich explained that circumstance, affecting that the different regulations, the size of the track and the spaces granted by the defenses. “Basketball in the Euroleague is more team. It has more tactics and you have less time for everything. Although I think there are better defenders in the NBA, Team defense in Europe is more impressive “said the crack of the Lakers.
Although I think there are better defenders in the NBA, team defense in Europe is more impressive
Antetokounmpowho has suffered it in his skin in the international tournaments in which he plays with Greece, explained it perfectly: “I do not want to disrespect the NBA players, where talent is much higher. But but The spaces are different, here are many lines to drive the ball and generate game. There is more intense, they defend you with pressure to the entire court, They make you two against some the time. There are no spaces to penetrate, and the game is more physical. I don't know if they compensate for the lack of talent with physical game, but they make it difficult. “
Here the spaces are different, you have many lines to drive the ball and generate game. There is more intense, they defend you with pressure to the entire court and the game is more physical. I don't know if they compensate for the lack of talent with physical play, but they make it difficult
Even two American stars agreed in their day with that opinion. “European basketball is more physical than NBA”said Lakers star Kobe Bryant. Something that also coincided Damian Lillardone of the pillars of the Milwaukee Bucks: “When you play with FIBA regulations, write down is more difficult”.
