Former NBA player Earl Boykins recently shared his views on European basketball. Boykins believes that European players surpass NBA players in terms of basketball IQ.
Boykins played a season with Virtus Bologna in Italy. He explained that his experience in Europe changed his perception of basketball.
“I enjoyed my time in Europe and it really opened my eyes to a world of basketball I had no idea that it exists,” Boykins said on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
Boykins emphasized the physicality of the European game. He noted that many NBA players would struggle in Europe due to the differences in play.
“I honestly feel that a lot of NBA players can’t play European basketball. because the way they play, the physicality they play with. It’s harder to play European Basketball and FIBA basketball than it is in the NBA,” he said.
“It’s harder to play European basketball and FIBA basketball than it is in the NBA,” Boykins remarked. He pointed out that the NBA focuses more on one-on-one skills.
Boykins explained that NBA players often find success by excelling in individual matchups. In contrast, European basketball relies heavily on teamwork.
“The NBA is simple – if you’re a great one-on-one player, you will have success in the NBA. Period. If you can score one-on-one, you’ll have success in the NBA,” the second-shortest player in NBA history said.
“European is definitely more a team concept and you really have to have a high basketball IQ,” Boykins added.
He praised European players for their understanding of the game. He believes that European players are better at reading and reacting to the flow of play.
“Every European that comes and plays in the NBA – whether they have a lot of success, become All-Stars or Hall of Famers, or they’re marginal players – one thing they have in common, they all have an incredible high basketball IQ,” Boykins stated.
“They never fail in the NBA because they don’t understand the game. They may struggle with the speed, they may struggle with the athleticism. But as far as understanding basketball, they’re better than the NBA players in terms of basketball IQ and it’s not even close,” he concluded.
