The NBA may be based in the U.S.A., but its reach stretches far and wide across the globe. Now, more than ever, the NBA is a global brand with a large number of fans and players originating from outside the North American continent.
Thanks to Adam Silver, we have also seen a number of games being played outside the typical locations. Just over the past few years, we’ve seen games of some sort in France, Mexico City, and Japan.
Now, Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to bring the action to his home country, Greece, and the league is apparently all about it.
(via The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov)
Silver mentioned that in trying to schedule more international games, the league will discuss team travel rules in its discussion with the NBPA during the current collective bargaining agreement talks. Silver said it’s “highly likely” the NBA has a game in Paris again next season. The NBA is also looking at trying to get a game in Greece; Silver mentioned that Giannis Antetokounmpo has told him multiple times he wants the Bucks to play a game in his home country.
It may be some time before we see a game take place on Greek soil, but it seems like an inevitability given Giannis’ ties to the area and the NBA’s willingness to expand.
As far as what we can expect on game day, there is little doubt that the venue will be sold out, as Giannis is akin to a legend in his home country.
Giannis Nearly Returned To Greece During Difficult Rookie Season
For those who don’t know, Giannis’ path to stardom was not an easy one. Growing up in poverty, Giannis and his family didn’t have a whole lot of stuff and it often led to uncomfortable moments.
But once he got to the NBA, and realized how hard it was to succeed here, he nearly quit and went back home before his journey with the Bucks ever really began.
“He was without his family because they couldn’t get the proper visas. They got denied twice to come to America. He felt so lonely to the point where his brother told me, Alex, that Giannis told his family. If you guys can’t come over here, I’m leaving. I’m going back to Greece. Imagine if he would have left, there would be no Giannis, there would be no Greek Freak. He was really close to that, it was really painful and hard,” Fader added.
Giannis had to give up a lot to make it to the NBA, including leaving behind his own family. But, somehow, he persevered to become the NBA superstar we all know him as today.
How cool would it be for Giannis, and his family, to have his journey come full circle and bring the NBA to the place where he first found himself?
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