Pablo Laso on NBA Europe: NBA needs to understand European basketball
Pablo Laso, the head coach of Anadolu Efes and a two-time EuroLeague champion with Real Madrid, recently spoke about the idea of NBA Europe and the wider state of club basketball on the continent. Laso, who was also named Coach of the Year twice during his time at Real Madrid, offered a candid take on how different competitions fit together and what might be best for the sport.
Fewer, better competitions — and the NBA question
Laso said he’s open to positive change, but warned that European basketball suffers from an overcrowded calendar. Multiple overlapping tournaments make it hard for fans to follow and for professionals to plan. His view is simple: slimming down the number of competitions and making the remaining ones more attractive would benefit everyone — players, clubs and followers alike.
About the NBA’s potential involvement in Europe, Laso isn’t opposed in principle, but he stresses that the NBA needs to appreciate what makes European basketball unique. If outside parties try to impose their model without understanding local traditions and structures, Laso believes mistakes will follow.
Double round in Spain, praise for Pascual, and ties to Real Madrid
Laso’s Efes was in Spain for back-to-back EuroLeague fixtures, first against Barcelona and then against Real Madrid. He had positive things to say about Xavi Pascual’s impact at Barcelona, noting how tough it is to take over a team mid-season and how Pascual’s arrival has already begun to reshape the club.
On Real Madrid, Laso admitted an emotional connection — going back there feels like coming home — but said once the game begins his focus is purely on performance. He sees Madrid moving in the right direction despite some recent setbacks, and highlighted several players from his era who remain influential at the club.
Overall, Laso’s comments underline a desire for balance: respect the character of European basketball while exploring constructive change, not wholesale transplanting of another league’s model.
