Former NBA point guard Gilbert Arenas dished his latest hot take this week when he spoke about the NBA’s recent change in style of play. As he pointed the blame at European and international players, Arenas explained that the league is only considered “soft” today because they tried to accommodate the “internationals” who couldn’t handle physical contact.
“The NBA took away aggression to open up the Euro league,” said Arenas. “When they first started getting here, it was too rough for them and they didn’t make it. So eventually they softened the rules to open up international… so when they say that Euros will run the league in the next five years, why do you think that? This is not our league this is not the American style. This is the Euro style. Drive in, suck the defense in, kick the ball to the three-point line. It’s a three-point shooting league because they’re copying Eurostyle.”
The state of NBA offense has become an increasingly complicated topic over the past few years. With scoring numbers up across the board, we are seeing an unprecedented number of points this season and the games are moving faster than ever before.
While most fans would blame it on things like the elimination of hand-check rules and the explosion of the three-pointer, Arenas is arguing that those changes only came into play to make life easier for international players trying to make the NBA.
In the comments, fans were quick to disagree with Arenas and many of them pointed out how the Euroleague is not how he described it. Currently, the European game emphasizes teamwork and fundamentals over everything.
When it comes to physicality, the Euroleague isn’t any softer than the NBA and, with the current league rules, some might argue that it’s actually gotten more physical.
Even so, Arenas ‘ points resonate with many basketball fans right now, who are frustrated with the current direction of the NBA.
Major Changes Are Coming To The NBA
Arenas may blame international players for changing the game, but they haven’t yet brought all of their traditions. As Luka Doncic has pointed out before, the NBA still presents a unique advantage compared to the Euroleague due to the Defensie 3-second rule that apparently makes it easier for him to impose his will on opponents.
Whether due to international players or just due to change over time, the league has evolved a lot over just the past 20 years, and the league is prepared to make some changes. After multiple 70-point games and a new all-time scoring mark for the All-Star game, the league is finally taking a hard look into evening out the balance between offense and defense and the fans couldn’t be happier.
With more contact on defense and a longer leash for guarding the opponent, the league has options on how to respond, and what they do from here could very well determine the trajectory of the entire future of the NBA.
Like it or not, European stars will keep on coming to the league and they will no doubt find new ways to excel regardless of whatever rules are changed.
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