Determined to help her National basketball team to achieve the goal of qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris, despite his two-month absence from the courts, the John Antetokounmpo.
THE Greek Freak speaking to representatives of the press, as part of the media day for the pre-Olympic tournament, he highlighted his desire to compete with the National Team in Olympic Gamesemphasizing that the first goal is qualification.
Among others, Giannis stood at absence of his one brother, Deathbut also in the possibility of facing him Luka Doncic in the semi-finals or final of the pre-Olympic.
Finally he made reference to the fact that he will compete under his instructions Vasilis Spanoulisbut also in the appearances of Sophocles Shkortsianitis with Greece, when he had not even started playing basketball.
View this post on Instagram
His statements in detail:
“I haven’t been training, but I’m better! I can’t wait to get into training. I’ve seen a few videos and talked to Vassilis and the kids. I believe it is exactly what the national team needs! A man who has given incredible moments to Greek basketball, both with the National Team, Panathinaikos and Olympiakos. He has tremendous experience as a player and as a coach in the last two years he has shown what he is capable of. I can’t wait for Vassilis to coach us.
I have never played in the Olympics and I would definitely like to qualify and go there. It’s something I haven’t done in my career and I want to. Tomorrow we play Poland we haven’t got there yet. We also have the Pre-Olympics ahead of us. The only thing that motivates me is the Olympics, it’s not Team USA or anything.
My chemistry with guys is zero! We haven’t played together. We have until July 2nd and hopefully in those few days we can play five-on-five and play our best basketball with the goal of qualifying. We need to score more baskets than our opponents. No one motivated me in 2008.
Certainly when I saw Sophocles (s.s. Shkortsianitis) a black kid playing in the National team, it was what gave me a motivation in me that one day maybe I can be in this team too. I started playing basketball in 2007. You know my story… I was 15 years old when I started playing basketball seriously. The Olympics motivate you. Accomplishing something great with the National Team is a great feeling and I want to feel it once in my life. So far I haven’t felt it and that gives me an extra motivation, it takes work.”
For the absence of Thanasis: “I will definitely miss Thanasis. We need a player like that in the national team, not only because he gives us energy and is a good player, but he is also a terrible teammate. It raises everyone’s energy and chemistry a lot! It brings everyone on the team very close. He will certainly be missed by all of us in the team.”
For Luka Doncic: “May the child be well. If he decides to come, let him come. If he decides to stay out and take care of his body, he will do what he thinks is best for himself.”
And he continued: “It will be a success for us to qualify for the Olympic Games. However, tomorrow’s day at SEF will also be a success where children will come to see us and see Greece and they will dream that one day maybe they can represent their country and this team. Some will succeed, some won’t. It was a dream for me. For example my children may come tomorrow to watch the match and they may see another player who will play well and say ‘I want to be like the Pole’. For me, this is the most important thing.”
Source: Sport Fm
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
