By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo would certainly approve a future clash of the NBA and EuroLeague champions resulting from the ongoing developments surrounding the collaboration between the NBA and FIBA, widely labeled as NBA Europe.
Following a losing effort for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Toronto Raptors in Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday, the Greek Freak talked to Toni Canyameras and Mundo Deportivo about such a case, referring to the famous challenge presented by Ergin Ataman in 2024.
“I have no idea what’s going on. I’m not following as much. But if the two leagues can co-exist, for sure,” admitted the 30-year-old point forward, replying to a question about NBA Europe.
“It’s going to be very hard for teams in the States to play teams over there, but it could be like two leagues that operate in the same way, with the same schedule, maybe like the top team over there and the top team over here can have a game in the summer, to kind of see who is the best team in the world,” he continued.
After winning the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship with Panathinaikos, the 59-year-old Turkish tactician requested a game against the then-NBA champions Boston Celtics to crown a world champion.
“Two years ago, Ergin Ataman was saying Panathinaikos was better than Boston. I would love to see Panathinaikos and Boston play head-to-head,” said Giannis.
“It’s kind of hard for the two leagues to merge, if there was anything like that that could happen. But I can see two leagues kind of co-exist together, operate in the same way, like have the NBA Europe and NBA here in the States, and NBA Africa, and whoever wins the championship can have a game against each other to see who is the best in the world,” he explained.