Dante Exum compares NBA atmosphere to Europe: 'It's a different beast' / News - Basketnews.com

Exum said the atmosphere in Europe, and particularly in Serbia, is incomparable to the NBA. He claims playing multiple derbies against Crvena Zvezda prepared him mentally for what was about to come in the NBA upon his return.

Credit: Sam Hodde/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix Credit Sam Hodde/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix

Dante Exum hit a clutch three-pointer to send the game to overtime on Sunday night. After the match, he talked about his experience in Serbia and how it compares to the NBA.

Dante Exum

MIN:19.97PTS:8.13 (58.56%)REB:2.69As:2.88ST:0.42BL:0.1TO:0.92GM:52ProfileNBA2023/2024

Exum scored 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds for the Dallas Mavericks during that game off the bench. Despite being written off several years ago, the Australian guard returned to the NBA and has established himself as one of the more important role players for his team.

"I think it always goes back to the confidence, the confidence in my ability," Exum said in the post-game press conference about his comeback. "I think me making that jump over wasn't a step down in any sense. It was just a reassurance thing over there to show what I can do. I'm grateful and happy I was able to do that. I was fortunate enough to put myself in that position to help the team hopefully in this postseason."

When Exum hit the three-pointer, the Dallas crowd went wild. However, Exum says, it does not compare to anything he experienced in Serbia while playing for Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

"It was good. Obviously, over in Serbia, it's a different beast. No dig to the Dallas fans or anything, it was great in there, but I think over in Europe, it's a different beast," Exum said. "They're chanting and celebrating. The people that are leading the chants don't even watch the game, they're just making sure they're chanting. But it was great, it was loud out there tonight, for sure, but it's definitely a different beast in Europe."

Asked whether this type of experience has mentally prepared him for moments like the one he had last night against the Houston Rockets, the 28-year-old gave an example from playing against Partizan's eternal rivals, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade.

"I definitely think so. If you ever play for Partizan and you step into the Red Star gym in Pionir, it's tough. It's tough," Exum said. "We played a five-game series against them and played two away - definitely a tough atmosphere. It felt like they were on the court with them. It makes it a little bit easier. Hopefully, once we get to the playoffs, I don't think it will reach that kind of an atmosphere, but it definitely prepared me."

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