Ever since European players, particularly those from Eastern Europe, started getting dominant in NBA, there has been a lot of discussion regarding the differences between European and American players. Many believe that European players like Nikola Jokic are not only bridging the skill gap, but also shifting the balance in their favor.
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To be sure, the game of basketball remains the same, whether in Europe or North America. But there are significant differences in approach.
Four-time NBA champion John Salley has witnessed multiple eras of NBA basketball. He played in the 1980s and ’90s, while watching the following eras closely as an expert on the game. During his prime years in the league, European players didn’t have much of a role in the league. But times have changed in 2025.
Salley sat down with DJ Vlad for a special interview, during which he was asked what makes European players different from Americans. His response boiled down to one thing. Lifestyle.
“The main difference with some European players is you’re growing up in a battlefield,” Salley said. “The only time you get any relaxation is playing basketball. They don’t want to lose that opportunity.”
Salley’s statement can apply to Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Although he didn’t grow up in a war-torn country, Antetokounmpo didn’t receive any handouts. Giannis and his brothers sold sunglasses on a beach with his brothers to help their family get by. Basketball was a luxury that he had to work hard to be able to experience.
But there are deeper reasons, other than just the drive to make the most of the opportunity.The European players are also keenly aware that they are representatives of their country to American fans. And their love and pride for their country translates into a focused desire to do their best at all times..
“They don’t want to embarrass their countrymen, so they play at an intense level,” Salley said. Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic are perfect examples of Salley’s statement.
Jokic and Doncic put their country first
The two European stars will do whatever it takes to represent their country, even following a gruelling playoff run. After the Dallas Mavericks reached the 2024 NBA Finals, Doncic didn’t take any rest. He immediately travelled to Slovenia to join his countrymen to compete for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
NBA fans recognize Nikola Jokic as a player who doesn’t show much emotion on the basketball court. However, during his time with Serbia, his reaction to winning bronze was far greater than his excitement at winning an NBA title.
There is a different level of emphasis toward the game, and it doesn’t just reside in the players. The way fans carry themselves requires players to have a level of heart within them. Salley experienced this firsthand.
“They’ll kill you in the streets in Europe,” Salley revealed. Reactions to winning and losing in sports are at a different level in Europe in comparison to America.
Basketball fans will get to see the true extent of the gap between the two continents during the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. The new USA vs. World format will serve as a measuring stick to determine which side of the world is truly the best at basketball.
