Portis on sport-fm.gr: “Yiannis wants to play for Greece”

His eye may be… shining during the games, but it shone when we told him that we are from Greece. THE Bobby Portis talk to sport-fm.gr and Christos Robolis showing the ties he has developed with the country because of the brothers Antetokounmpo. He emphasized that he knows firsthand how much the John and Thanasis they want to wear the coat of arms revealing and the… trash talking that the former did to him, while he talked about their personal relationship that goes beyond the purely professional.

Their power forward Bucks he even talked about Team USA’s big challenge at World Cuphis role as an elder on this roster, but also adapting to its regulations FIBA. He also mentioned his rich social work, but also the extra motivation the Bucks have in the new NBA season.

-Has there been any trash talking with Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo ahead of the World Cup?

“You could say it like that (laughs). When I was selected for Team USA, in the team chat everyone sent me congratulations and American flags, but Giannis sent the Greek flag. Unfortunately Giannis was not able to strengthen your own team in the World Cup, I’m sure he really wanted to because every year he wants to play with Greece. However, you have Thanasis, who is a very good player and I’m sure he will give everything, as always.”

-What is your relationship with Giannis and Thanasis?

“Apart from teammates, he is one of my best friends in the team. We hang out a lot, we’re not just in the team’s duties. They are nice guys, always in a very good mood and work very hard. Giannis is in the locker room like a big kid, he always teases everyone and wants to create a pleasant atmosphere in the team.”

– Some say that this Team USA is something like the Redeem Team of 2008, because it also comes from a failure in 2019, which was left out of the medals. It’s like that;

“Our story is a little different. In this team are players playing for the first time in the national team, we have no previous experience and we want to make our mark on the world stage. It’s a big challenge, it’s special, I feel the same way, to wear the jersey with the national emblem and the USA. It is a big responsibility and we know very well that everyone has high expectations from us. Although it is our first time in such an event, all of us are excited, we have great motivation and we want to show the whole world what we can achieve”.

-Although you are only 28, you are the oldest on this roster. What do you say as an old man to the younger ones? Do they come to you for advice?

“Okay, I’m not that old (laughs). But I definitely try to help the younger guys as much as I can. Everyone on this team has great talent. I simply tell them that you must always stay focused and you must not be influenced psychologically. There will be good times and bad times within a tournament, even within the same game, but you must not lose your way. What I always tried was to set an example with my work and behavior, without many words. But as I grow older, I see that sometimes the most experienced players need to talk to the others and make sure that the younger players trust them and open up to them.”

-How is the adaptation to FIBA ​​rules going?

“Look, the sport may be the same everywhere, but you need adaptation. It’s like a completely different version of the same sport. The teams play harder, they fill the racquet with people and there are not many lanes, you can’t call a timeout as a player and quite a few more that we will have to get used to in a few days. However, it’s nice to learn this way of playing, because basketball is now globalized.”

-However, the other day you went viral with the statement that it is not difficult to adapt to FIBA ​​rules, but being a mother with four children that you will have to raise alone…

“Yes, I said it and it’s true. A lot of times we talk about basketball or other things and magnify it, like it’s a matter of life and death, when there are people all around us, everywhere you look, who are facing real difficulties, health problems, or who are struggling to survive in everyday life. I just wanted to turn the spotlight on those people who are struggling every day, give them a hand as much as we can and help them move forward.”

– I know that at least you don’t stick to words, but you help many people in need, just like the Antetokounmpo family does…

“Indeed, I try to do my best. We sports people, like Giannis, Thanasis or others, who have a voice and can send messages or help with actions, must do so to inspire the rest of the people. I have created an organization to help single mothers. I am one such child too, my mother raised me alone and I know firsthand how difficult it is. Everything we can offer to our neighbor is valuable.”

– Many say that the new season will be a revenge tour for the Bucks and that you want to get your blood back for the bad way the last season ended…

“That’s how we see it too! Unfortunately we didn’t make it last season. We got eliminated in the first round even though we had an amazing regular season, had a really long winning streak and ended up having the best record. But we were unlucky with Giannis’ injury and the whole team lost its rhythm. Generally in the last two seasons we had a lot of misfortunes, first Brook (Lopez) was injured, then Chris (Middleton) and now Giannis. It is very important for a team to stay healthy. We see almost every year that the teams that advance and make it to the end are the ones that stay healthy. I am sure that we will have extra motivation for the new season, we have a very tight group with very good players and tough characters”.

-So you will want in the next few months more than a gold with Team USA and another championship ring…

“That would be great. Let’s get the World Cup in a few weeks and then the championship again. And then maybe I’ll come on vacation to Greece (laughs)”.