Giannis Antetokounmpo: The game in Europe is way harder than the game in the NBA

Giannis Antetokounmpo said that basketball in Europe is harder and more intense than in the NBA where there is more talent.

Antetokounmpo spent the season with Greece’s NT and was named in the All-Eurobasket 2022 First Team but he was not able to take his country to a medal.

Per Basketnews, “It was a great experience representing my country, I had fun. It was the first time I saw people engaged. People had hope, basketball came back to Greece even though we were one game short of the medals,” the Greek Freak told. “I felt like people had hope, and it was the most amazing thing. People were following us on the road everywhere we went and were cheering for us, cheering for the flag.”

“Representing your national team is heavy, it’s not easy. It’s a flag, you represent the whole country. I think 6 or 7 million people watched the games we played when it’s ten-and-a-half million people in Greece, that’s awesome. Obviously, I’m a bit tired physically and mentally but I’m excited about the season,” he explained. “This summer was fun.”

“The game in Europe is way harder than the game in the NBA,” he said. “The talent in the NBA is obviously higher. I think over there it’s more intense. People pick you up full court, lanes close, and it’s a lot more physical. I don’t know if they’re more physical because you have less talent.”