The 2024 Paris Olympics ended a few weeks ago and the United States took home the most medals. Not only did they take home the most medals, but they also took home the most gold medals with 40.
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One of them came from the US men’s national basketball team. The men won their gold medal match against host nation France. It was not an easy road to the top of the podium, especially given the very different style of play in international play.
The international game is very different from the NBA game, and the style of play seemed to throw off some members of the U.S. team. Some believe the rules established by FIBA, the international basketball governing body, are superior to those of the NBA – including Chicago Bulls star center Nikola Vučević.
Vučević spoke to Meridian Sport and said it would be better for the NBA to implement FIBA rules.
Nikola Vucevic says FIBA would be harder if they played by NBA rules:
“First of all, the 3-point line in the NBA is half a meter further, which is not a small amount in basketball. The 3 seconds in defense are also a big deal… If they played by NBA rules, the USA would even be… pic.twitter.com/USZWoU33TI
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) 25 August 2024
“If NBA rules were in place, it would be much more difficult for FIBA teams. First of all, the three-point line in the NBA is half a meter further, which is not a small amount in basketball. The three seconds in defense are also a big deal; I know that from my experience.”
“It’s also different offensively, here I find it much easier to cover spaces in defense than there. If they played according to NBA rules, the USA would be even stronger.”
Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images
There are some key differences between the NBA and FIBA rules. For example, in FIBA there are four 10-minute quarters, the three-point line is 6.75 meters long while in the NBA it is 7.24 meters, and there are five fouls that can be penalized. Once the ball touches the ring, any player can play it. Perhaps the biggest difference is that there is no 3-second penalty internationally.
The FIBA rules have some advantages and disadvantages, but it seems that the NBA would never decide on a comprehensive rule change.
Vučević is originally from Switzerland, but began playing in the United States during his high school years at Stoneridge Prep in Fontana, California. He spent most of his career in the United States, attending the University of Southern California for three seasons and was selected in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Vučević is entering his 14th season in the NBA and his fourth with the Bulls. Before that, he played with the Orlando Magic and the 76ers.
The Bulls are expected to be among the bottom teams in the weak Eastern Conference.
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