Terence Morris, 31, and Pete Mickeal, 32, joined the club this season, having played previously for various other European teams and briefly in the NBA. In conversations with Metropolitan, they shared their observations about competing and living in Europe and Spain. “I think the level’s pretty much the same,” Morris opined, after considering the question, although he has noticed certain idiosyncrasies among the supporters. “When we’re losing, the fans are still cheering. That’s a little different than being at home, where when you’re losing you don’t really hear anything.”
He also noted a few other distinctions: “I‘ve got a translator when I’m out on the court. That’s new to me, because the other places I’ve played the coaches spoke English pretty well. Also, here, you have to pay for your own stuff. Your house, your car. That’s a little bit different.”
Pete Mickeal differed with his teammate somewhat, maintaining that the game is played differently here than in the US. “There’s really no comparison. Europe is Europe and the States is the States. NBA’s a different lifestyle, different game.”
Arguably, the fundamental difference between European and American basketball is reflective of the differences between the two cultures: the European game lends itself more to team play, whereas the American game emphasises individualism. The NBA, with all its highlights, flashy dunks and one-on-one play, contrasts with the steady passing game of the Continent.
Part of these variations can be ascribed to small differences in the structure of the game: Europe has a 30-second shot clock compared to 24 in the NBA; five fouls instead of six; goal-tending is permitted; the trapezoid-shaped lane works against large players who excel at rebounds and the three-point line is one metre closer than in the NBA. All these differences, according to Mickeal, conspire against show-boating superstars who would otherwise sparkle across the pond. “That’s why, in the NBA, you see so many guys putting up 30 and 40 points every night, because it’s a one-on-one game.”
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