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"EuroLeague is number one" - Kenneth Faried claims scoring is harder overseas than in the NBA
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- "EuroLeague is number one" - Kenneth Faried claims scoring is harder overseas than in the NBA
Kenneth Faried is a player who showed a lot of promise at the beginning of his career, with some even seeing him as a future leader of the Denver Nuggets . The popular "Manimal" displayed impressive physical tools from an early age, which even earned him a spot on Team USA.
Back in 2014, he was part of the Team USA squad that won gold at the FIBA World Cup, sharing the frontcourt with none other than DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis , a testament to the potential the 6-foot-8 forward demonstrated at the time.
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However, Faried has now been out of the NBA for seven years. His inability to adapt to new trends in the league pushed him away from the bright lights of the NBA courts. Still, he continues to play at a very high level in the EuroLeague , where he claims it is much harder to score than in the NBA.
"I do agree. It's very hard scoring in the EuroLeague because teams don't have that defensive three seconds," Faried said in an interview with "BasketNews". "So, they clog the paint a lot. And when you're clogging the paint, it's hard for — not even just guards — but bigs like me when we're trying to roll and get those easy baskets.
"We try to find different ways to score. And if you're a hustler, you're going to find ways to score. EuroLeague would probably be number one," he added. "Then I'd say the NBA, and then FIBA."
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EuroLeague is a more sophisticated competition
The EuroLeague is a more sophisticated competition than the NBA, primarily because it lacks a defensive three-second rule, making it significantly harder to attack the rim, as defenses are allowed to pack the paint. The court is also narrower, which limits spacing to a degree; the ball is different while the 3-point line is closer.
Games are played over 40 minutes, which automatically gives players fewer chances to get into scoring rhythms. Coaches also tend to use much deeper rotations, sometimes involving up to 10 players, which, until recently, was previously unimaginable in the NBA.
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Additionally, specific rules reduce offensive advantages, such as taking fouls, resulting in a more structured and system-oriented style of basketball.
Faried is currently playing for Panathinaikos, where, through 12 games, he is averaging 7.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 58 percent from the field. He shares the locker room with several former NBA players, including Kendrick Nunn , Cedi Osman and Richaun Holmes , among others.
The EuroLeague has become an increasingly popular destination for NBA veterans and players who, for one reason or another, were unable to make a significant breakthrough in the NBA. Many of them struggle to adjust, primarily due to the differences in rules.
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Another player who agrees with Faried's view is Lauri Markkanen , who has also claimed that scoring is easier in the NBA .
"What I noticed this summer in EuroBasket — obviously I didn't play EuroLeague like Luka did, so my experience is coming from EuroBasket — but definitely not getting the same foul calls that I am in the NBA, no defensive three seconds, obviously shorter game clock, only 40 minutes, that affects points-per-game averages already. So yeah, I would probably agree. It's just a different game," the Finn revealed on The Draymond Green Show.
Silver confirmed the league will be seeking to bring back defensive identity
There are several indicators that Faried is on the right track with his assessment, including the fact that he averages 7.9 points per game in the EuroLeague compared to 11.4 points in the NBA, and 12.2 points during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Of course, different stages of his career played a role, but the context is clear.
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It's also a fact that Faried never developed a reliable outside shot and always based his game around interior play on both ends of the floor, something that no longer works in today's NBA unless you are a specialist like Rudy Gobert .
Either way, today's NBA is heavily offense-oriented, as reflected in the rising pace and offensive ratings from season to season. Adam Silver has even confirmed that the league is once again considering rule changes to bring back some of the defensive identity that defined it for years.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jan 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
