Real Madrid guard Facundo Campazzo spoke openly about his time in the NBA, pointing to a lack of respect some players showed toward coaches.
In an interview with Vorterix, the Argentine playmaker described how certain teammates would use their phones or even wear headphones during team meetings.
“There are a lot of guys who grab their phones even while the coach is talking,” Campazzo said, via HoopsHype. “The talk starts, and the American player is sitting there on his phone. Ten, twenty seconds go by… and only then does he put it down.”
Campazzo added that he once saw a teammate keep headphones on during a strategy session, which he believed could have been for listening to music.
“It made me uncomfortable, especially because the guy was sitting right next to me,” he explained. “That only happens in the NBA. In Europe, they’d kick you the f*** out.”
The 34-year-old guard played two seasons with the Denver Nuggets from 2020 to 2022 before a brief stint with the Dallas Mavericks. He later returned to Europe, where he has become one of the most decorated guards in Real Madrid history.
Campazzo’s remarks highlight cultural differences between the NBA and European basketball. In Europe, discipline and coach-player dynamics are often stricter, with less tolerance for distractions during practice or games.
During his NBA career, Campazzo averaged 5.6 points and 3.5 assists per game. While his role was limited compared to his European dominance, he gained valuable experience competing against elite guards in the league.
Since returning to Real Madrid, Campazzo has added multiple titles to his résumé, including the 2024 Liga ACB MVP and the 2025 Finals MVP. His comments suggest that the structured approach in Europe better fits his style of play and professional expectations.
The veteran guard is not the first international player to speak about contrasting environments between the NBA and overseas leagues. Several European stars have previously mentioned differences in practice intensity, player focus, and locker room culture.
