Berni Rodríguez may have retired from professional basketball in 2016, but his insights into the game remain razor-sharp – especially when it comes to comparing basketball cultures on both sides of the Atlantic.
Rodriguez is a former world champion with Spain, and a few days ago, he was brought to Malta by Gioya Higher Education Institution to promote courses for retired players.
With European players like Nikola Jokić (Serbia), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) and Luka Dončić (Slovenia) dominating the NBA, Rodríguez believes the global game has shifted toward embracing the European style.
“We do not have their physicality,” Rodríguez admitted to the SportsDesk podcast, “but we compensate that with IQ. NBA teams are starting to play the European style… we have now improved physicality as well because of the mix, and we are now imposing more gym work too because we are understanding how it works.”
This evolution, he says, is a two-way street. While European players are thriving in the NBA, American players often find it tough to adapt when they cross over into the EuroLeague.
“Two things,” Rodríguez explains. “They take it for granted and don’t think we play that good basketball, so they find it overwhelming. And then there are the rules.
“For example, in FIBA, we don’t have the defensive three-second rule, so defenders can stay in the paint, and that limits driving lanes. And you’re allowed to touch the ball once it hits the rim – unlike in the NBA.”
Rodriguez welcomes the idea of an NBA expansion into Europe, although he still sends a cautious note.
“No clue about the exact project, but the NBA brand here in Europe can help, especially with their resources. Hopefully, we don’t lose our mentality and our identity,” Rodriguez said.
Rodríguez’s voice carries weight – not just because of his accomplishments, but because of the journey behind them. He was part of Spain’s “golden generation” that took the world by storm in the 2000s.
A versatile guard, he helped Spain win the 2006 FIBA World Championship, silver at the 2007 EuroBasket, and another silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“I had the opportunity to play a lot of basketball in my homeland but also in representing my country Spain,” Rodríguez reflects.
“We had a great generation of athletes born in the 1980s like Pau Gasol, Carlos Navarro, Felipe Reyes… All the experiences have helped me to grow in this new life, but it has been a privilege for me.”
His international career peaked during one of the most iconic Olympic basketball tournaments ever – the 2008 Games in Beijing, where Spain faced the star-studded USA “Dream Team” in the final.
“Playing against the top teams? Huge experience. Usually we watched LeBron James and Kobe Bryant on TV and then you have to mark them. Nonetheless, we had NBA players at the time like Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol and Jose Calderon, so that helped us a lot,” he said.
Basketball idol
Still, one moment stood out for Rodríguez: facing his basketball idol.
“It was great for me to face Jason Kidd, and I was marking him. I liked his vision, his basketball IQ, and I always liked those type of players.”
Rodríguez’s club career began with Unicaja Macias in the Spanish fourth division during the 1998-99 season, before moving up to Unicaja Málaga’s senior team the following year.
Rodriguez would go on to spend 13 seasons there, with the club retiring his iconic number 5 jersey after his departure in 2012. Out of respect, he wore number 41 at UCAM Murcia, where he played until his retirement.
Now a commentator for the Spanish national team, Rodríguez remains deeply invested in the sport. He recently co-founded The Embassy in Málaga with former NBA player Jose Calderon, focusing on athlete development and post-career transitions.
In a joint initiative with GIOYA Higher Education Institution in Malta, Rodríguez is helping to launch a new model to support athletes preparing for life after sport.
He believes that Spain’s basketball culture, which began gaining traction in the 1980s, continues to produce elite-level talent.
“It started with Fernando Martin becoming the first Spanish NBA player in 1986 at the Portland Trail Blazers. He literally blazed the trail… and by winning tournaments, the national team started to gain more and more attraction,” he said.
Rodríguez is also optimistic about the new generation.
“We have players between the age of 18-22 that are good and are also embarking on college basketball in the USA. Different from our generation, because we did have the opportunity, but it was not usual for us. Maybe it was a risk, and at the same time, we were starting to play with our hometown clubs at a young age so it was more viable to establish ourselves here.”
Despite the growing presence of European talent in the NBA, Rodríguez believes the continent’s basketball identity remains strong – and that’s something worth preserving.
