Chicago Bulls star pinpoints why NBA is easier than FIBA for Wembanyama

Nikola Vucevic is a 13-year veteran in the NBA from Switzerland, meaning he's played in FIBA competition enough to know exactly what he's talking about when comparing the two leagues. Recently, he sat down with an international media outlet named Meridian Sport and gave an interview discussing those differences, among other things, after the Night of the Dragon event at Stozice Arena in Slovenia.

During the conversation, Vucevic spoke about how special San Antonio Spurs franchise player Victor Wembanyama is, stating that "he will somehow change the game." He went on to discuss how difficult it is to score on the 7'4" xenomorph replica, but the fascinating part came earlier in the article when he wasn't necessarily referring to Vic, while his words still applied to the incoming sophomore.

“If NBA rules were applied, it would be much harder for FIBA teams. First, the three-point line in the NBA is half a meter farther, which is not small in basketball. The three seconds in defense is also a big deal; I know that from my experience." - Nikola Vucevic

The dynamic of the NBA is better for Wembanyama's game

During the Olympics, there was a common factor discussed by fans of various teams' fan bases: the refs were bad. The referees were not perfect and they never are, but the difference in officiating is clear as there is less of an emphasis on foul calls. It allows the players to be more physical with their defense, and for someone with such a slight frame, it can be more disruptive. But that's not all.

The court is bigger in the NBA, and spacing is key in this generation's basketball style. Wemby wants to get saucy with his handle every now and then. He wants to use his length to get a step on his defenders and his reach to extend past a contest or potential steal. That's a little more difficult when you don't have the same amount of real estate to work with.

Then you have the defensive three-second rule. You would think that its inclusion in FIBA is a benefit to Victor, and it is, but the door swings both ways. Because of his size and skill, defenses are keen on keeping him out of the paint and will do everything they can to accomplish their goal.

Wembanyama is so special as a defender that he doesn't need that rule to impact the game at a generational level, but imagine if the rest of the NBA didn't have to adhere to it. With the elite athleticism that already exists in the world's best league, it would make scoring in the paint tougher than chewing a stick of gum made of flubber.

So, after an up-and-down summer in his first Olympic tournament, look for the reigning Rookie of the Year to level up tremendously from what you saw the last time he took the floor. You know he's working hard, and the NBA rules are going to help him continue to shine brighter than Dune's sun.