Thanasis Antetokounmpo on potential European comeback, PAO's rebuild, next Greek in the NBA / News - Basketnews.com

Thanasis Antetokounmpo explained why a comeback to Europe isn't among his priorities, commented on the two Greek powerhouses' season, and named the next Greek player to hit the NBA.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Thanasis Antetokounmpo is currently in his fourth season with the Milwaukee Bucks. Even though he's not playing much (almost 4 minutes per game over 24 contests), the 30-year-old forward remains firm in his decision to stay with the team.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo

MIN:4.08PTS:0.46 (30.43%)REB:0.96As:0.17ST:0.08BL:0.13TO:0.29GM:24ProfileNBA2022/2023

"I'm having a good time, I'm here with my brother and we're trying to fight for a championship. The most important thing is that I look at the bright side," the Greek international told SDNA's Tolis Kotzias in a podcast.

Asked to name his priorities in case his Bucks stint comes to an end next summer, Thanasis Antetokounmpo pointed out that the possibility of his returning to Europe is a scenario likely to take place under very specific circumstances - if no NBA team would sign him.

"It's hard [to go back] because I've never been a free agent," he said.

"The year before (2021), the Bucks offered me to stay. And last year, they had an opt-in clause, I wasn't a free agent. If I ever become a free agent, I'll think about it," he added.

Thanasis pointed out that he's looking at the positive side of his situation.

"I'm on one of the top teams in the NBA. I know if I was on any other team, I'd play more. I want to fight for a championship. I don't know if I'll be back in Europe soon. It's tough because if the Bucks let me go, there are 29 other teams in the NBA."

That means that his chances of going back to Greece, where he played for Panathinaikos Athens for two seasons (2017-19) are few and far between.

"First I'll see if there's anything in the NBA, and then it's all of Europe. I don't want to rule it out because Greece is the country I grew up in and love," he commented.

Antetokounmpo talked about the Bucks' chances of winning another NBA title after the 2021 championship.

2-pointers this season

55%27,5Points made:27,5Accuracy:54,7%Place in standings:25Record max:38Record min:13Most made 2FGs:Giannis AntetokounmpoTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

"I don't know if we're ready, but we're starting and we're healthy," he argued. "We had a lot of players out of action and we now we're on an 11-0 run. For five years, we've been among the top teams. You can't sign a contract with victory, but we want to build good mentality and good habits."

Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 32.5 points, 12.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists this season, in another MVP-worthy campaign. Thanasis isn't at all worried that his brother stays on the court for too long.

"He gives everything for the team and it's rare to see a player do that. He's doing everything on the court," he said.

"It's all about working hard and taking the opportunities you're given."

Thanasis also touched on the progress shown by his other brother, Kostas, who joined Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in January.

"I am happy and proud of him. Even in Chicago, where was told to be patient because he was going to play by January, he wanted to leave and go somewhere to play. We will work together on 2-3 things in the summer," Thanasis revealed, and went on to call Kostas "a mini-hybrid" player.

"Some have started to understand that. I'm glad he's playing like that."

The older of the Antetokounbros is trying to keep up with what Olympiacos and Panathinaikos are doing in the EuroLeague. However, as he admitted, he has only seen very few games of the Greek powerhouses.

"I always want both teams to play well, but I saw that Olympiacos won at Fenerbahce and that they have a good team this year," he opinioned.

His take on Panathinaikos, his former team, is quite interesting. Antetokounmpo thinks the potential is there and that the Greens can definitely do better once the re-build is over.

"They're currently at a point where they're finding players and trying to mix them with others. I've seen the roster, albeit not all their games. They have tremendous players and it's just a matter of them finding chemistry. I think they're a very good team."

Apart from his family members, Thanasis Antetokounmpo believes that a lot of Greek players have NBA potential, whether it's veteran guys like Kostas Papanikolaou and Nick Calathes, or young prospects like Alex Samodurov.

"I think half the Greek national team could play in the NBA," he stressed.

"We have strong bodies: [Giorgos] Papagiannis, Papanikolaou, [Ioannis] Papapetrou. If we're talking about the future, there's Samodurov. If he works on his body, he could play. The Kalaitzakis brothers too."

Last but not least, Thanasis referred to the Greek national team that earned the ticket to the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The experience of playing in the 2022 EuroBasket and the enthusiasm the team managed to instill into a large part of the Greek people is what fuels the Bucks forward and makes him optimistic about the squad's next venture.

"I want us all to be healthy. We're going to do the best we can. Last year, I saw the people being full of pride. We were like warriors [at the EuroBasket], that's what you want to see. People want to play basketball because they're watching the national team," he concluded.

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