Giannis Antetokounmpo has a lot of love for the EuroLeague but doesn’t think most of the European teams can compete with the best in the NBA. In his press conference before the All-Star Game, Antetokounmpo was asked if he’d want to see a competition between NBA and EuroLeague teams and had an interesting response.
“I feel like EuroLeague is (an) incredible league,” Antetokounmpo said. “Very, very talented. Probably the top two, three, four teams in the EuroLeague, they are NBA teams. The team that my brother played (for), Panathinaikos, they had like nine NBAers. But no, it’s not the same.
“I enjoy watching EuroLeague basketball more than I enjoy watching NBA basketball, but the competition level is not the same,” Antetokounmpo added. “The best teams here, like Denver, OKC, Boston, will destroy a lot of EuroLeague teams.”
Antetokounmpo was then asked what would happen if they played by FIBA rules and if the games were held in Greece:
“If you play with FIBA rules, maybe some teams have a chance, for sure,” Antetokounmpo stated. “I believe some teams have a chance but then you can switch it and say if you play with NBA rules, none of those teams have a chance. But if you play with FIBA rules some teams have a chance, for sure.”
We have seen NBA stars struggle when they have to play with FIBA rules at international events. So, teams like the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Boston Celtics might not be as dominant as one would expect them to be. That said, you’d still back them to beat every team in the EuroLeague.
The talent disparity is just too big and unlike with Team USA at international events, players on these NBA teams are used to playing with each other. They have a great understanding when they’re out on the court which removes one of the advantages that international teams have when taking on the U.S.
Maybe some of the top EuroLeague outfits like Olympiacos, Fenerbahce, and Panathinaikos could win a game against elite NBA teams on their night. You would not fancy their chances in a seven-game series, though, even if they were playing with FIBA rules in Greece.
As for Antetokounmpo revealing he prefers watching the EuroLeague over the NBA, it shouldn’t be all too surprising. In case you’re wondering why, it’s because he isn’t the first international player to say that out loud. Luka Doncic once revealed he watches more Euroleague games than NBA ones.
“Not really. I watch some NBA games, but I watch more EuroLeague than NBA,” Doncic said. “But if it is a really good NBA game on TV, I will watch it.”
You’d think most of the international players would be in the same boat. Nikola Jokic revealed during an interview with SDNA that he tries to watch the EuroLeague as much as possible. Considering Jokic spends a fair bit of time watching horse racing videos too, it’s unlikely he’s watching many NBA games.
Getting back to Antetokounmpo, he did not play in the All-Star Game as he is still recovering from a calf strain. The 29-24 Milwaukee Bucks are hoping the two-time MVP will be ready to play when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers at Fiserv Forum on Thursday at 8 PM ET in their first game after the break.
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