Why Giannis and Luka Say Europe’s Basketball Is Tougher Than the NBA

Giannis and Luka emphasize that while the NBA features superior individual talent, the European game is more physically demanding and strategically intense.

Luka points out that scoring 30 points in a European game is significantly harder than doing so in the NBA.

The reason?

European defenses are relentless, employing full-court pressure, double teams, and complex zone defenses that persist throughout the game.

Players in Europe face constant physicality, with defenders allowed to stay in the paint for extended periods—something restricted in the NBA by the three-second defensive rule.

This rule limits how long a defender can camp in the key, opening lanes for drives and easier scoring opportunities.

In contrast, European big men like Rudy Gobert can hold their ground in the paint without such limitations, making it much harder for offensive players to penetrate.

The NBA today thrives on fast-paced, high-scoring offenses fueled by transition baskets and an unprecedented volume of three-point shooting.

Last season, NBA teams averaged nearly 111 points per game, taking about 35 three-pointers per contest, with a pace not seen since the 1970s.

This era of “gunner” basketball rewards spacing, quick shots, and less physical defense, making scoring more accessible.

Comparing today’s NBA to just a decade ago reveals dramatic changes.

In 2012, scoring was lower and defense more physical.

Going further back to the 1990s, the difference is even starker.

The NBA has evolved into a more offense-friendly league, partly due to rule changes and officiating philosophies influenced by the league’s competition committee, including commissioner Adam Silver and star players like Jayson Tatum.

Kobe Bryant famously criticized the modern NBA for its softness, lamenting the loss of hand-checking and physicality.

He called for a return to tougher defense and stricter foul calls on cheap contact and flopping.

For a brief period last year, NBA referees attempted to enforce rules more like those in Europe—no cheap fouls, less hand-checking—which led to a noticeable drop in free throw attempts by stars like Damian Lillard, Trae Young, and James Harden.

Interestingly, during this crackdown, these players’ scoring and efficiency dipped, sparking complaints and a quick rollback of the stricter officiating.

This episode highlighted how much the current NBA game favors offensive freedom and how dependent some stars are on favorable foul calls and spacing.

The defensive intensity of the 1990s NBA is often hailed as the toughest era in basketball history.

Back then, defenders could play physical, run zones, double and triple teams, and stay in the paint without restrictions.

Stars like Drew Holiday, Kawhi Leonard, and Marcus Smart would have thrived defensively in that environment, but today’s rules limit such aggressive defense.

Even in the 2000s, after hand-checking was banned, defense remained more robust than it is now.

The decline in defensive rigor has contributed to inflated offensive numbers and easier scoring.

Despite this, players like Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić, who transitioned from European leagues to the NBA, attest that the European game’s rules and style make scoring harder.

One key difference is the “three-second rule” on defense.

In Europe, defenders can linger in the paint indefinitely, clogging driving lanes and contesting shots more effectively.

This rule alone drastically changes the nature of the game, forcing offensive players to think quickly and creatively to find scoring opportunities.

Smaller courts and tighter spacing in Europe also add to the challenge.

Players must have sharp basketball IQ and rapid decision-making skills to succeed.

The physicality and strategic complexity mean that European basketball demands a different kind of toughness and skill set compared to the NBA.

Looking back, the 1990s and early 2000s were slower-paced, defensively intense eras with clogged paint areas and limited spacing.

Scoring was more difficult because defenses were empowered and physicality was the norm.

Great wing scorers like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Allen Iverson posted incredible numbers against some of the toughest defenses in history.

Today’s NBA players dropping 20, 25, or 30 points per game benefit from rules designed to open up the floor and favor offense.

Even stars like Lillard, Jokić, Giannis, and Luka acknowledge that scoring overseas under FIBA rules is much tougher, underscoring the challenges players faced in earlier eras.

In conclusion, the insights from Giannis and Luka reveal a fascinating truth: while the NBA may showcase the highest level of talent, European basketball presents a tougher, more physically demanding environment.

The differences in rules, defensive freedom, and playing style mean that scoring in Europe requires a unique blend of skill, toughness, and quick thinking.

This perspective not only reshapes how we view modern basketball but also honors the grit and intensity of past eras.

As the NBA continues to evolve, understanding these contrasts helps fans appreciate the diverse challenges players face worldwide.

Thank you for joining this deep dive into the evolving game of basketball.

Stay tuned for more discussions on the sport’s global dynamics and legendary players.