Andrei Kirilenko feels NBA is more physically demanding than the European Leagues – NBA News
Over the past few years, the debate regarding the difference between the NBA and the European leagues has heated up as those leagues are slowly starting to draw attention and create stir. Many believe that the NBA is a tougher
league to compete in, because it draws the most stars, the most media attention and is undoubtedly more rewarding.
The NBA is like a religion in the USA, and has now crossed borders to become one of the most followed sports league all over the world. For the sake of publicity and media attention, the league needs to produce superstars in every
era, and there is no denying the fact that the NBA has the best talent from around the world.
European leagues, on the other hand, have a more team oriented approach and rely on fundamental basketball rules as well as team work to succeed. Also, their game is more concentrated towards shooting, where as the NBA teams rely
equally on fast breaks, penetration and lower post moves.
Another difference between the leagues that can come to light is the fact that the NBA basketball is more demanding in terms of physical fitness, and there is more grind and hustle involved in it as compared to the European League.
Andrei Kirilenko, the Russian born forward who played ten seasons with the Utah Jazz but decided to play for CSKA Moscow in the European league last season, has joined the Minnesota Timberwolves for the upcoming NBA season.
In a recent interview with Utah’s Deseret News, Kirilenko talked about the difference between the two leagues and what adjustments he is looking to make to play in the NBA this season.
“I’m working a lot on my physical condition. It’s the most important thing in the NBA. My game is very energetic. As long as I’m in good shape, I’m running. That’s my game is running,” said Kirilenko.
The European leagues has fewer games and the travelling involved in not as intensive as the NBA. Hence, a player needs to be physically fit and be prepared for the grind if he wants to excel in the NBA.
Kirilenko, who is already a 10 year veteran in the league, will have no problems adjusting back to the fast paced physically demanding nature of the game in the NBA.
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