(Photo by Jeenah Moon/Getty Images)
In recent years, NBA basketball has seen an uptick in scoring as the league’s biggest stars routinely go off for huge scoring performances.
In just the past week, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Devin Booker all exploded for over 60 points much to the delight of basketball fans.
However, the scoring outbursts signal that defenders have a much harder time doing their jobs given how the NBA game is officiated.
People like Doncic have previously commented on the difference between scoring in the NBA versus overseas in Europe.
The Dallas Mavericks star said that team defense is more impressive in Europe.
With that in mind, former NBA All-Star Andrei Kirilenko believes that the way basketball is played in the NBA is incorrect via Eurohoops.
“You should watch [EuroLeague] it’s great basketball. Especially if you love proper basketball. In the NBA, basketball is still wrong,” Kirilenko said.
Andrei Kirilenko:
“You should watch [EuroLeague] it’s great basketball. Especially if you love proper basketball. In the NBA, basketball is still wrong.”
(via @Eurohoopsnet) pic.twitter.com/Ufq8og1pVy
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 27, 2024
Kirilenko was known for being a shutdown defender during his career which helps explain his stance on the situation.
European basketball also emphasizes sharing the basketball, while in the NBA stars can go one-on-one much more often.
It’s impossible to determine how the game of basketball should be played, though it’s easy to relate to Kirilenko who would prefer to see more team-oriented play on the court.
However, the NBA thrives when it’s stars are at the forefront and there are no signs of that changing any time soon.
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