Former NBA defensive specialist Patrick Beverley offered a candid look into the harsh realities of playing overseas during a captivating guest appearance on Thanasis Antetokounmpo‘s popular “Thanalysis show” podcast.
The outspoken veteran guard, who is set to suit up for French top-flight club Boulazac, pulled back the curtain on the severe culture shock that awaits American players making the jump to the Old Continent. Rather than holding back, Beverley used his time on the show to detail how radically different competition, lifestyle, and team dynamics are outside the NBA framework.
“They have no idea, it’s a mindset thing”
Speaking about how today’s top NBA superstars would adapt to European competitions, Patrick Beverley offered a blunt and candid perspective:
“They have no idea. That is no disrespect to anybody’s physical game and what they can do on the floor, but it is a mindset thing. There are NBA superstars right now who straight up could not play in Europe. I truly believe that. They just couldn’t.”
Life off the court and tactics: “Like a college team made of grown men”
Beverley emphasized that the differences extend far beyond tactical schemes on the hardwood, permeating the entire organizational culture and travel structure of European clubs:
“The adjustment is totally different. Everything is team-first. The coach controls everything. It’s almost like a college team made up of grown men. The team is ahead of any individual. Sometimes you share a hotel room with a teammate. Travel is not catered to your comfort like in the NBA, even though it has improved enormously. And in the game itself, you can decide: ‘We aren’t taking a shot until there are six seconds left on the shot clock.’ Everything is built on defense. It’s completely different.”
Dominance in a PAOK jersey
Beverley’s deep understanding of European basketball alongside his ability to elevate his game when it matters most were on full display during his recent stint in Thessaloniki.
In a PAOK uniform, he played eight regular-season games in the Greek Basket League, recording modest averages of 7.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. However, once the postseason arrived, the American guard took his performance to an elite level. Across three playoff games, he posted stellar averages of 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 11.0 assists, even as PAOK was ultimately eliminated in the semifinals by EuroLeague powerhouse Panathinaikos.
Former NBA All-Defensive guard Patrick Beverley opens surprising new chapter in France 😱@patbev21 spent the past two seasons playing in Europe, first for Hapoel Tel Aviv and then for PAOK. His time in Israel lasted until February 2025, while he spent the 2025/26 season in… pic.twitter.com/NXBj9Fkrbl
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) August 14, 2026
Culture shock in France
Even with his extensive international background, Beverley’s recent arrival in France proved that individual European countries still hold unique surprises. One of his immediate shocks in France was the distinct daily rhythm, starting with the simple struggle of finding open restaurants during off-peak hours. The veteran guard faced another unexpected shift when Boulazac prepared for a preseason road matchup. Instead of the lavish private air travel common in the NBA, Beverley was informed that the team would be making the trek via a long bus ride.
His initial reaction to the news was pure disbelief, but the travel arrangement turned out to be far more luxurious than expected. “They told me, ‘Pat, we’re going by bus’ [to a friendly game]. I didn’t know what to think. But the bus has beds! It’s actually pretty comfortable. It’s not bad. I’m also in the VIP room, I have the upper part [of the bunk],” Beverley revealed. It appears that even after years in the game, the veteran playmaker has found a way to embrace one of the more unusual and comfortable perks of traveling through the French basketball circuit.
