Greek NT 2024

[paspalj]

The concept of “being from somewhere” can be very complicated some times. Giannis and Thanasis are Greek and Nigerian. Giannis has said this multiple times and it’s obviously true. His parents are Nigerian, he was brought up in a primarily Nigerian household but he was born and raised and molded by Greece in his every day life. Everything around him growing up was Greek. But people still hang on to the “Nigerian” part to build a (usually racist) narrative that he doesn’t feel Greek.

Just to clarify, I’m not saying you’re doing this fasoulaki. It’s just that I’ve seen it a lot through the years.

[fasoulaki]

Being a migrant myself, I can very well understand how complicated the whole matter is and do not jump to conclusions quickly. I grant every person the right to self-determination. And for me it is not about how others see him, but about his self-perception.

There seems to be some evolution in what he says. At the NBA Draft he was the Greek Freak and waved the Greek flag around. Last year before the European Championship he said that it was strange for some in his family that he was called the Greek Freak and that he was ALSO a Nigerian. He referred to himself as a Greek Nigeriano during an interview. This year he says his values are Nigerian and he plays for the Greek national team but actually everyone knows he is Nigerian. I see a certain development and I hope that it will not happen someday that he will not play for Hellas anymore.

From my perspective what is most natural is to know and feel that you have influences from both ethnic or nationality backgrounds. Now that he lives for almost 10 years in the US and is also married to an US american woman there might be also a third component/perspective coming up.

[tonia]

Being a migrant myself, I can very well understand how complicated the whole matter is and do not jump to conclusions quickly. I grant every person the right to self-determination. And for me it is not about how others see him, but about his self-perception.

There seems to be some evolution in what he says. At the NBA Draft he was still the Greek Freak and waved the Greek flag around. Last year before the European Championship he said that it was strange for some in his family that he was called the Greek Freak and that he was ALSO a Nigerian. He referred to himself as a Greek Nigeriano during an interview. This year he says his values are Nigerian and he plays for the Greek national team but actually everyone knows he is Nigerian. I see a certain development and I hope that it will not happen someday that he will not play for Hellas anymore.

Giannis travelled to Nigeria for the first time this summer and probably it had some impact on him. However, I don't think that he doesn't want to play for the national team in the future.
In January he stated: "I always think about representing the national team in the best way, and how much I enjoyed wearing its shirt in the summer. It's completely different to play for Milwaukee, to represent the city, your teammates, but to play for the national team and wear the jersey is something heavy. I love this feeling; I love representing 11 million Greeks in the country and another five million in the rest of the world, because I saw that there was again that spark for basketball. If I'm the reason for it, it's a great feeling." (https://www.fiba.basketball/basketba...ry-day)

[Shawshank]

For Giannis 2024 Olympic summer is main one when he can carry NT to big things.

Greeks must naturalise better shooting pg to maximaze their chance with peak Giannis version

Its looking very strange naturalise in Giannis peak years bad shooting guard Walcup that makes no sense how game is played in 2020s

[tonia]

For Giannis 2024 Olympic summer is main one when he can carry NT to big things.

Greeks must naturalise better shooting pg to maximaze their chance with peak Giannis version

Its looking very strange naturalise in Giannis peak years bad shooting guard Walcup that makes no sense how game is played in 2020s

Even though Walkup enjoyed eating greek soulvaki (oupsss I mean he was impressed by the ancient greek civilization and history..) this much that he wanted to participate to the greek NT, I don't think we need to naturalise any other player with no connection with Greece.

[fasoulaki]

In January he stated: "I always think about representing the national team in the best way, and how much I enjoyed wearing its shirt in the summer. It's completely different to play for Milwaukee, to represent the city, your teammates, but to play for the national team and wear the jersey is something heavy. I love this feeling; I love representing 11 million Greeks in the country and another five million in the rest of the world, because I saw that there was again that spark for basketball. If I'm the reason for it, it's a great feeling." (https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023/news/giannis-i-think-about-winning-with-greece-every-day)

Also he canceled his WC participation with the following words:

Everyone knows my passion and love for my National Team has and never will change. ... My personal, and our ultimate team goal is to qualify for the 2024 Olympics games and it will be an honor to represent my National Team next year.

But I mean one day before that message he was searching for shoes in L.A. and I sincerely hope he found some but what I want to say is that it might be a difference between official communication and his real state of mind and heart. Who knows. Future will tell.

[fasoulaki]

Even though Walkup enjoyed eating greek soulvaki

I am pretty sure he said "Gyro" ...

[tonia]

I am pretty sure he said "Gyro" ...

You are right..https://www.tiktok.com/@fiba/video/7270102551209463072

[fasoulaki]

One more thing that was not known to me is that Giannis wife was pregnant and gave birth only days after the end of the WC to their third child.
This might also have some influence on the decision to not play at the WC an not be present at any NT activities even as a spectator.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-what-giannis-antetokounmpo-s-daughter-s-name-bucks-star-announces-birth-3rd-child-mariah-riddlesprigger

[tonia]

One more thing that was not known to mee is that Giannis wife was pregnant and gave birth only days after the end of the WC to their third child.
This might also have some influence to the fact that he did not play at the WC.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketba...riddlesprigger

Tell Papanikolaou this

[fasoulaki]

Tell Papanikolaou this

Taking into account Papanikoalou's performance in this tourmaement I am not sure what to tell Papanikolau exactly.

[tonia]

Taking into account Papanikoalou's performance in this tourmaement I am not sure what to tell Papanikolau exactly.

I guess he felt he shouldn't leave the team especially because he is the captain. If he had stayed in Greece, he would have received the same negative comments, just like Nedovic.

[fasoulaki]

I guess he felt he shouldn't leave the team especially because he is the captain. If he had stayed in Greece, he would have received the same negative comments, just like Nedovic.

Maybe but it became obvious that in this mental state he could not help the team.

[fasoulaki]

He will help the NT "Pro Bono"

https://x.com/ItoudisD/status/1703817362288279795?s=20

[R1ou]

EOK seem to have officialy make a bid for one of the OQTs in SEF.