Shaquille O’Neal Says European Basketball Is Better Than NBA
Dubai: Shaquille O’Neal believes European basketball is better than the NBA, with the Los Angeles Lakers legend expecting another intense battle when Zalgiris Kaunas host Olympiacos in the EuroLeague on Tuesday. O’Neal is in Lithuania as Zalgiris prepare to welcome him for their Round 2 meeting with Olympiacos in the 2026–27 EuroLeague Regular Season. It is only the second European basketball…
Shaquille O'Neal, the retired NBA superstar, has expressed his belief that European basketball surpasses the NBA in terms of intensity. The four-time champion is currently in Lithuania for a Round 2 matchup between Zalgiris Kaunas and Olympiacos in the 2026-27 EuroLeague Regular Season. During a press conference, O'Neal praised the European game's rigorous nature, stating that players give it their all in every single game.
He contrasted this with the NBA, where players tend to ease up once the All-Star game concludes. O'Neal also teased the potential crowd at Zalgiris' home arena, joking that the city would be mostly empty due to everyone gathering at the event. The NBA Hall of Famer is anticipating a physically demanding contest between Zalgiris and Olympiacos, expecting some on-court hostility.
His attendance has garnered significant attention for an already highly anticipated EuroLeague matchup.
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