By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Shaquille O’Neal compared the grind of European basketball to the NBA upon landing in Lithuania on Tuesday, immediately stirring the pot.
The four-time NBA champion arrived in Vilnius as an ambassador for NordVPN. After a press conference in the capital, the former center is heading straight to Kaunas. He will sit courtside at Zalgirio Arena to watch Zalgiris host Olympiacos in Round 2 of the 2026–27 EuroLeague Regular Season. And he is hunting for an atmosphere he rarely enjoys back home.
“I’ve only been at one game in Europe, and it was wild,” opened up 54-year-old O’Neal. “I’m looking to see how crazy and intense this game gets.”
Shaq explicitly favored the European approach over regular-season action in the NBA.
“I know the European game is a little bit better than the NBA game. I know I’m gonna get a lot of flak for saying that, but guys over there, everybody plays hard,” he stated.
For him, the shorter calendar forces a nightly desperation. The NBA is different. He noted that some players often coast through the winter months.
“We got guys in the NBA. They kinda chill out to the All-Star game or to the Playoffs or whatever,” added O’Neal.
Tuesday’s matchup also serves as a reunion. Shaq wants to see the giants who defined his era and those carrying the torch today.
“I’m looking forward to seeing my good friend Arvydas Sabonis tonight, and looking forward to seeing Valanciunas play,” he noted.
Zalgiris enters the night with momentum after a road win last week. With a global icon watching from the front row, the contrast between the two different worlds will be on full display.
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