Shaquille O"Neal weighs in: "European basketball is a little better than the NBA"
The legendary center, visiting Kaunas, praised European basketball over American basketball before attending the EuroLeague game between Zalgiris and Olympiacos
Shaquille O’Neal has arrived in Kaunas ready to experience the passion of the EuroLeague firsthand, and he left Vilnius with a remark that is going to stir up a lot of controversy on the other side of the Atlantic. “I know European basketball is a little better than NBA basketball. I know I’m going to get a lot of criticism for saying that” , said the four-time NBA champion before heading to the Žalgirio Arena to watch the clash between Zalgiris and Olympiacos, the reigning European champion.
I have always said that Europeans have much stronger basketball fundamentals than American players
The former player for the Lakers, Magic, Heat, Suns, and Celtics explained the reasons for his unexpected preference. “In the EuroLeague, tough basketball is played in all 38 games. In the NBA, there is a bit of relaxation until the All-Star break or the playoffs ,” he stated. Shaq, who has only attended one European basketball game live, hopes to experience tonight in Kaunas the intensity he has heard so much about: “It was crazy. I'm looking forward to seeing how intense and crazy this game will be.”
Americans may have more talent and jump higher, but Europeans first play basketball with their heads, while we like to use our athletic abilities
But O’Neal went even further by explaining what, in his view, sets the two worlds apart. “I’ve always said that Europeans have much stronger basketball fundamentals than American players” , he noted. His assessment also included a comparison of styles: “Americans may have more talent and jump higher, but Europeans play basketball with their heads first, while we like to use our athletic abilities”
The visit to Lithuania also allowed him to pay tribute to some of the great European big men who left their mark on the NBA. Shaq especially recalled Arvydas Sabonis , with whom he had memorable battles, and wanted to meet up with him again in his home country: “I hope to give him a hug when I see him... This will be a matter of respect and love. When it happens, I’ll tell him: ‘Thank you’” . He also praised Jonas Valanciunas , highlighting his 14 years in the NBA and his ability to use his body and strength near the rim.
“I hope to give Sabonis a hug when I see him... This will be about respect and love. When it happens, I’ll say to him: ‘Thank you’”
And he left one final recipe for conquering Europe that sums up his vision of basketball quite well: “You need one or two great players and build the team around them. Defensive specialists, shooters and, above all, wanting it more than anyone else.” Shaq has arrived in Kaunas as an ambassador for NordVPN , but his visit to the Zalgirio Arena ended up becoming something more: a public vindication of European basketball over the NBA from the voice of one of the greatest legends in the history of the American league.
