"In certain ways FIBA might be tougher" - EuroBasket star Lauri Markkanen reveals why scoring in the NBA is easier than Europe

Throughout the EuroBasket 2025 tournament, Lauri Markkanen has been on fire, leading Finland on an impressive run that sees the team on the verge of reaching the finals.

Averaging 24.7 points per game, during an appearance on Drafteados, Markkanen explained that, in certain ways, scoring in FIBA is tougher than the NBA.

"I think there's both sides to it," Markkanen said. "The NBA has the best players in the world in every team and games are longer so you have more time to score points and stuff.

"Of course there is rules that make the NBA easier for that which is the defensive three second rule or the not tipping the ball on the top of the rim which pisses me off here. ... I think there's both sides to it ... I think in certain ways FIBA might be tougher for sure."

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.

Since 1935, Finland's best result is a fifth-place finish in the 1967 EuroBasket tournament, which the country hosted. If they win against Germany on Friday, the country will reach the EuroBasket final for the first time.

Lauri Markkanen explains how EuroBasket helps prepare for the NBA season ahead

During his Drafteados appearance, Lauri Markkanen said that playing for the national team helps him enter the NBA season in shape and ready to go.

"I think the national team and EuroBasket has always pushed me to be in the best shape possible," Markkanen said.

"You play competitive basketball throughout the summer and you're mentally in that zone of playing really high level basketball against the best players in the world and it kind of leads right into the NBA training camp and [you] kind of get a head start, so obviously big expectations for the NBA season as well."

Over 47 games last season, Markkanen averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game on 42.3% from the field. The Jazz finished with the worst record, winning just 17 of their 65 games.

With Markkanen healthy, only time will tell how the team's 2025-26 campaign plays out.

About the author

Evan Bell is a journalist specializing in the NBA and NHL at Sportskeeda, whose love for the game stems from a childhood spent watching the Chicago Bulls. He has been there through their highs and lows, from the Jordan era to the exciting Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah years.

Evan finds the 82-game season and the intensity of playoff basketball exhilarating, and he also revels in the offseason drama. Phil Jackson stands out as his favorite coach, whom he admires for his composed leadership and success in managing dynamic personalities like Dennis Rodman.

To deliver top-quality content, Evan fact-checks information while diligently keeping up with the action year-round.

When he's not writing, Evan follows tennis and Greek football, and also plays basketball and tennis.

Know More

Utah Jazz Fan? Check out the latest Utah Jazz depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place!

Edited by Krutik Jain