Shaq: “European basketball is better than the NBA”
After Nikola Jokic, Shaquille O’Neal also praises European basketball and its intensity. The NBA legend’s comments
It’s not just Nikola Jokic who sees something more in European basketball. Shaquille O’Neal has also openly sided with the EuroLeague, especially when it comes to intensity and consistency throughout the season.
In Lithuania to watch the matchup between Zalgiris and Olympiacos, won 93-91 by the Greek side, the four-time NBA champion explained what fascinates him about European basketball, while also making a comparison with the NBA that is inevitably bound to spark debate.
Before the game, Shaq reflected on his previous experience watching basketball in Europe:
I’ve only been to one game in Europe and it was crazy. I can’t wait to see how intense and wild this matchup is going to be. I know they play 36 games and I think European basketball is a little better than NBA basketball. I know I’m going to get a lot of criticism for saying that, but everybody here plays hard for all 36 games
Shaquille O’Neal
The comments carry even more weight considering who they come from. Shaq was one of the most dominant big men in NBA history and built much of his career precisely on intensity and bully ball, taking advantage of an almost unmatched combination of strength, agility and size.
And if even he gives European basketball the edge in that regard, the NBA-EuroLeague debate has just gained another very prominent voice.