Regardless that the Milwaukee Bucks misplaced, their star ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo—the largest title to come back down right here for the NBA worldwide pre-season video games—was eager to debate methods to extend the attain of the league and sport to varied corners of the world.
Within the United Arab Emirates for 2 pre-season video games, the 27-year-old Greek mentioned he’s additionally desirous to play in India.
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Requested to call two areas the place he want to play the pre-season video games, Giannis mentioned: “I’ve performed in London, Paris, taking part in the primary time in Abu Dhabi however I’ve bought to consider this (query)… I’ve by no means performed in China, so perhaps Shanghai or Beijing. That will be a enjoyable expertise. Perhaps someplace in India to simply attempt to broaden the sport as a lot as doable, attempt to make it world and attain locations it has by no means reached earlier, to individuals who love basketball. We simply bought to current it and create extra followers.”
The Bucks misplaced 113-123 to Atlanta Hawks late on Thursday within the first of the 2 pre-season video games on the Etihad Area right here with the second and closing contest scheduled on Saturday.
Recognized for his velocity, energy, and ball-handling expertise, Giannis is at present one in every of NBA’s most dominant gamers, who additionally guided the Bucks to a historic second NBA crown final yr, 50 years after they gained their first in 1971. He was additionally named the Most Useful Participant (MVP) of the Finals.
The 2022-23 season will begin on October 18 with the two-time NBA MVP saying there are five-six groups that will likely be vying for the championship this time round.
“Often there are 5-6 groups yearly which have an opportunity to win a championship like (reigning champions) Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Warmth, Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns. There are at all times some groups which have a sensible likelihood to win the championship,” mentioned Giannis, on whose life was based mostly the 2022 biopic ‘Rise’.
The 6 ft, 11 inches tall hoopster gained consecutive NBA MVP awards in 2019 and 2020, becoming a member of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James as the one gamers in historical past to win two MVPs earlier than turning 26.
“You begin to assume which you could be a type of groups. When you can, you be ok with your probabilities to win a championship. However on the finish of the day our primary objective is to get higher, quantity two objective is to enhance the group and quantity three is the championship,” concluded Giannis.