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Bobby Portis says NBA and FIBA basketball "are two totally different games"

Bobby Portis is learning what others have been saying for a while now.

Jonas Panerio

© Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
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As the Milwaukee Bucks big man Bobby Portis plays for both flag and country in the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup, he’s beginning to understand the nuances that make playing in the NBA and FIBA tournaments totally different. Current NBA superstar Luka Doncic has already alluded to this, saying: “Scoring is easier in the NBA just because of the different rules.”

Now, after playing in three tuneup matches against international teams like Spain, Slovenia, and Puerto Rico, Portis is getting a taste of the international game.

“The games are two totally different games,” said Portis.

Significant differences

The goal remains the same for both the NBA and FIBA basketball: outscore your opponent. However, there are enough differences between the two to make a player think twice about the approach they take. For starters, the three-point line is shorter. Then, the games are much shorter—48 minutes in the NBA and four 10-minute quarters in FIBA. Players also foul out in FIBA when they commit their fifth foul, unlike in the NBA, where you need to be called for six to be disqualified from the game.

But perhaps the most crucial difference is the physicality. FIBA is much more physical, with referees allowing a lot of contact, which requires players to adjust their style in order to be successful.

Adjustment period

For a lot of NBA players, all these variances can make it difficult to adjust when playing in FIBA tournaments like the Olympics or World Cup. Players have to be more aware of their fouls and find ways to play more efficiently on the court without getting called for an unnecessary foul. In addition, they need to practice quick decisions and speedy movements that will help them take advantage of the shorter three-point line and physical nature of the game.

“The physicality is different,” Paolo Banchero said. “You can be physical on defense in terms of redirecting your man, the way you can guard. That’s the biggest thing that stands out. And a 40-minute game, it goes by quicker. In the NBA, you can be down 20 in the first quarter and not be worried because you’ve got time. You can ease into the game a little bit. Not here; you want to be going 100 mph from the jump.”

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO