Retired NBA MVP Derrick Rose praised Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic for handling European physicality, making NBA play feel "softer." He also highlighted tougher Olympic refs and foul dynamics.
NBA legend Derrick Rose, three-time All-Star, 2009 Rookie of the Year, and youngest-ever MVP in 2010–11, was a special guest at the Adidas NBA Eurocamp in Treviso.
Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose
Position: PG
Age: 36
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 91 kg
Birth place: Chicago, United States of America
He spoke with Basketball Sphere's Matteo Andreani, offering sharp insights into why top European stars—Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Doncic—transition so seamlessly to the NBA, and how the physicality difference plays a key role
“One difference… in Europe and in the United States … is just the physicality in the game,” Rose explains. “Each of the three has learned how to deal with it and how to adapt their game to physically demanding challenges. Once you face it and adapt, then the game is ‘softer’ in the NBA.”
Rose detailed the contrast:
“It’s harder for us at the Olympic Games when we come from the NBA, the level of physical play is much higher here. The referees told us that… Obviously, they are closer to the European players.”
He stressed how European play’s physicality prepares players for easier NBA adaptation, particularly at the foul line:
“In Europe, they really have to foul you to get to the free-throw line, while in the NBA… the feeling when attacking the basket… is much gentler when awarding personal fouls.”
Rose’s decorated career includes 723 NBA games averaging 17.4 PPG, 5.2 APG, 3.2 RPG, before a devastating 2012 ACL injury at age 23. He also won two FIBA World Cup gold medals with Team USA (2010, 2014)
He announced his retirement in September 2024. The Chicago Bulls plan to honor him by retiring his No. 1 jersey during the 2025–26 season .
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