Is European basketball actually better than the NBA right now?

On this episode of Full court Passport, longtime NBA analyst Ric Bucher and former NBA forward Bostjan Nachbar are joined by David Kahn, the only American executive to run an NBA franchise and build a winning EuroLeague club from scratch.

Kahn pulls no punches on:

• Why EuroLeague intensity surpasses the NBA
• Why Paris Basketball plays faster than almost anyone in Europe
• The cultural gap between NBA entertainment and EuroLeague fandom
• What an NBA-backed league in Europe has to get right — or it will fail

This is a masterclass on global basketball, roster strategy, and why the future of the sport may be tilting east.

• 00:00 – Welcome to Fullcourt Passport
• 01:18 – Why February is EuroLeague “separates men from boys” season
• 03:00 – Mid-season signings: NBA vs EuroLeague philosophy
• 08:45 – Why Cameron Payne works in Europe
• 10:50 – Jabari Parker’s uncertain EuroLeague future
• 12:05 – Kenneth Faried, Corey Joseph & NBA buyouts
• 17:45 – Why EuroLeague limits player movement
• 18:00 – David Kahn joins: NBA → Paris Basketball
• 24:00 – Why Paris Basketball plays faster than anyone
• 31:10 – Why NBA games feel “unwatchable” to Euro executives
• 39:00 – Replay reviews & slowing the game down
• 42:30 – NBA Europe: What works, what fails, what’s coming
• 50:45 – Final thoughts on the future of global basketball

#FullcourtPassport #EuroLeague #NBAEurope #ParisBasketball #InternationalBasketball #GlobalHoops #NBAvsEuroLeague #BasketballStrategy #UnitedWeCast

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Are national teams crossing a line in the name of winning — or simply adapting to modern basketball?

On this episode of Full Court Passport, hosts Ric Bucher and Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar are joined by University of Wyoming assistant coach Chris Thomas for a deep dive into the evolution of global basketball development — and the growing controversy around naturalized players on national teams.

The conversation is sparked by reports involving Jaxson Hayes, the Los Angeles Lakers big man whose name has surfaced in discussions around Slovenia’s national team needs. From there, the episode expands into a masterclass on how European basketball teaches skill, decision-making, and processing speed earlier — and why that approach continues to produce MVP-caliber players.

Thomas also explains why the 24-second shot clock matters, how positionless basketball is reshaping development in the U.S., and what college programs are doing to close the gap. Plus, Ric and Boki examine EuroLeague financial pressures, club sustainability, and why “winning at all costs” may be changing the soul of international competition.

00:00 – Welcome to Full Court Passport (Ric Bucher & Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar)

00:00:45 – Sponsor: New Air Club

00:01:24 – Guest intro: Chris Thomas (University of Wyoming) + Sundance Wicks endorsement

00:04:11 – Chris Thomas’ Puerto Rico experience (GM & head coach lessons)

00:05:08 – Coaching Slovenia’s national team: pressure, pride, and perspective

00:06:40 – Basketball as a passport: coaching and traveling across 59 countries

00:08:16 – Why European development keeps producing elite decision-makers

00:09:52 – Youth basketball differences: shot clocks overseas vs. the U.S.

00:10:32 – 24-second vs. 30-second shot clock: pace, reads, and processing

00:11:18 – Phil Jackson “drum” story: teaching instant recognition

00:14:02 – Why MVP-level players are increasingly international

00:17:24 – Positionless basketball and modern player development

00:18:12 – Teaching reads, not just moves

00:19:16 – Isolation culture vs. flow offense

00:20:14 – NBA influence from European coaches and systems

00:24:38 – The controversy: Jaxson Hayes, Slovenia, and national-team “cheat codes”

00:27:21 – National pride vs. roster loopholes

00:37:46 – EuroLeague financial instability and club sustainability

00:41:28 – Monaco’s budget pressure and locker-room consequences

00:45:13 – Virtus Bologna stuns Monaco; Luca Vildoza’s late dagger

00:46:44 – What’s next for EuroLeague and national teams

#FullCourtPassport #UnitedWeCast #JaxsonHayes #Lakers #InternationalBasketball #EuroLeague #NBA #PlayerDevelopment #PositionlessBasketball #NationalTeams

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The NBA didn’t just visit Europe—Berlin and London became a live stress test for what NBA Europe could actually be. Ric Bucher and Bostjan “Boki” Nachbar break down Adam Silver’s latest Europe messaging, why the 2027–28 launch window feels increasingly unrealistic, and the one thing the NBA can’t afford to destroy: EuroLeague rivalries (Real Madrid–Barcelona, Partizan–Red Star).

Then Ric shares a conversation with Quinten Post (Netherlands → ALBA Berlin → Mississippi State → Boston College → Golden State Warriors) that exposes the modern pipeline: family hustle, highlight tapes, and one “right” development year that changes everything—plus why he’d tell 18-year-olds: don’t chase NIL first… chase playing time and growth.

Finally, Ric brings in audio with Quin Snyder to explain why the value of international players keeps rising—fundamentals, training volume, and pro-level development—and how culture/communication gaps are shrinking fast. The big question remains: if the NBA brings its star-driven commercial engine to Europe, can it do it without ruining the win-first soul of European basketball?

Timestamps

00:00 — Full-Court Passport intro

00:30 — NBA “invades” Europe: Berlin vs. London reactions

02:43 — “Cooperation is required”: NBA Europe + EuroLeague reality check

04:05 — Ric’s takeaway: the league is happening, timeline likely slips

04:41 — The non-negotiable: protect classic rivalries (Real-Barça, Partizan–Red Star)

05:43 — Stop chasing “big cities”: build around true basketball hubs

10:07 — Quinten Post interview: Amsterdam → ALBA Berlin → NCAA → Warriors

15:52 — NIL warning: don’t pick money over development and minutes

17:03 — Boki’s path vs today: pre-internet development and getting noticed

22:15 — Europe problem: pro life + university don’t align like the NCAA

27:47 — Quin Snyder audio: why international players’ value keeps rising

34:34 — Culture & language gaps shrinking; NCAA as a bridge (sometimes)

37:19 — Zaccharie Risacher pressure: expectations, growth, and what’s “normal”

45:00 — NBA stats vs EuroLeague wins: the philosophical clash

49:43 — Wrap-up + where to catch the show live

#FullCourtPassport #UnitedWeCast #NBAEurope #EuroLeague #AdamSilver #InternationalBasketball #NIL #NCAABasketball #NBADraft #PlayerDevelopment #QuinnSnyder #Warriors #BasketballCulture #EuroBasket

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