Kendrick Nunn talks Partizan's interest, reveals what surprised him in EuroLeague play / News - Basketnews.com

Kendrick Nunn addressed the reports that brought him close to signing with Partizan, explained why he chose PAO, and what has surprised him the most about the EuroLeague.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

Kendrick Nunn has traveled with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens to Belgrade for the EuroLeague Round 11 contest against Partizan Mozzart Bet.

Asked by Mozzart Sport's Bojan Brezovac whether the rumors about the Serbian club being interested in him last summer were true, the former Lakers guard replied:

"Rumors? They weren't rumors, it was the truth. I was contacted by Partizan several times during the summer. Even one of my coaches in Miami said that I should go to Partizan, that it is a great environment for me. He is close with someone from the club, I can't remember who, but he really stood up for Partizan."

Eventually, Nunn decided to sign a one-year deal with Panathinaikos about a month ago. Talking about that decision, he said the Greens presented a better option for him, "primarily because of the style of play."

"Coach [Ergin] Ataman gives a lot of freedom to the players. I didn't want to go to a club that already has players who are similar to me and my characteristics. I wanted to stand out immediately," he clarified.

As time goes by, Nunn is getting more and more acclimated to how things work at PAO and in European basketball in general. He says he's come to understand his role "to some extent, which is to be aggressive both on offense and defense."

'I'm doing well so far, everything is going according to plan," he added.

Nunn admitted that it was difficult for him to come to terms with the fact that he had to leave the NBA for Europe.

"On the other hand, I was aware of the situation, realistically. I didn't have an NBA contract, I was hoping to find a team in the NBA, there were talks, some indications, but nothing concrete happened so in the end I made a decision that I think is the best for me."

Following an injury that set him back two years ago, the last thing Nunn would do is take an intentional break from basketball.

"If I were to wait now at any cost for any contract in the NBA, I don't think it would help me in the long run. I need to play," he thinks.

After going undrafted in 2019, Nunn joined the Miami Heat and carved out an interesting career path that kept him in the world's top league for four seasons. He played for two seasons with the Lakers, then moved to Washington, and now lives in Athens.

"I was very lucky in my career to play basketball in Los Angeles, Miami and Washington. Three maybe the best cities in the NBA. Now I'm in Europe... It's a big change, I can say that. It's not easy, mainly because I'm away from my family for the first time. It's really hard for me, but I consider myself a person who is ready to overcome any situation.

I like challenges, and I look at the whole experience as a challenge. It was Thanksgiving, it was really hard not having the people closest to me with me, but I feel their support. I was ready for this, I'm focused on the goal. I want to help the team win and I'm happy to be part of the club," Nunn said.

The 28-year-old guard has averaged 5.5 points per EuroLeague contest so far. His scoring high amounted to 11 points when Panathinaikos downed Virtus Bologna at OAKA three weeks ago.

"I didn't really know what basketball was like in Europe before I came," he admitted.

"I was somewhat surprised by how competitive the league is from week to week. The style is a bit different from what I'm used to. It immediately became clear to me that the advantages that a ball-handler has in the NBA, are almost non-existent here. Plus the 3-point line is closer, it immediately shrinks the floor, and that means it's easier for defenses to set up. There's always someone guarding you.

You'd think it'd be easier to hit threes in Europe, because the line is closer, but it's actually the complete opposite. There's no space like in the NBA, the ball always has to move," he opined.

Nunn has joined other prominent former NBA players, like Kemba Walker, Jabari Parker and Frank Kaminski, who made the leap to Europe before him. The US guard thinks those names are proof of quality.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

"Many people in America don't realize how much quality there is in Europe. More and more people see it as time goes by, they are not afraid to come to Europe, to experience something new. They get to know new cultures, they go from country to country every week, they play really high-quality basketball. For me, it's really cool," he stressed.

The Chicago-born player also weighed in on Nikola Jokic's impact on the NBA. Asked about the two-time league MVP, Nunn paused for a moment in order to find the right words.

"Oh, what a player!" he exclaimed. "I don't even know what to say. He's a unicorn. I don't believe we will see the next Jokic in the next 20 or 30 years. He's proven to everyone who he is, especially when he led the team to a championship ring."

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