European players have a different mindset than U.S.-born stars, often choosing to stay and fix problems in their NBA teams rather than leave, as Charlie Villanueva put it: "These international cats don't have the same mentality… They want to fix the problems."
Former 11-year NBA veteran big man Charlie Villanueva recently shared his take on what sets European players apart from their U.S.-born counterparts.
Charlie Villanueva
Charlie Villanueva
Position: PF
Age: 41
Height: 211 cm
Weight: 105 kg
Birth place: Queens, United States of America
Speaking on the ToTheBaha podcast, Villanueva highlighted the unique mindset of international stars, especially after Denver Nuggets three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic said he never wants to leave the Colorado team.
"At the end of the day, to me, a superstar player who is a European player, they want to stay in their situation," Villanueva noted. "End of the day, Luka never wanted to get traded to the Lakers. End of the day, Jokic ain't f**king leaving, Giannis in reality doesn't want to leave, but they are damn near forcing his hand to leave.
"Shai ain't going nowhere, he is not European but international. These international cats don't have the same mentality as a US-born player, where if s**t doesn't go right, we want to leave. They want to fix the problems."
In his appearance on X&O's Chat, Jokic has pledged his commitment to both life and basketball in the Mile High City.
"I wouldn't like to imagine that. Even if we never win anything else after this, an organic title, it means more to me than anything," Jokic said as he was asked if he sees himself joining another team beyond the Nuggets.
"I really found peace here. My two kids were born here. Everyone's here. Peace, home, I found my life here. And I like life here. I don't feel the need, I don't have the urge to. We built something here, together as a team."
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