Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo, leader of the Milwaukee Bucks, said this Saturday that he wishes the NBA had a similar atmosphere to the EuroLeague in the stands, using the fans of Fenerbahce and Panathinaikos as examples.

An Atmosphere the NBA Lacks

“That was my first EuroLeague Final Four (which he personally attended last year) in Berlin. Obviously, the atmosphere is a little different. With the fans of Fenerbahce and Panathinaikos, it’s distinct. I wish we had that atmosphere in the NBA, but we don’t,” Giannis said in the post-game press conference at the T-Mobile Arena.

However, he highlighted the intensity of the games as comparable. “The intensity in the games, I think, is more or less the same. We all know we’re playing for everything in a single game. You have to play well, and if you don’t, you’re out,” he added.

“In terms of intensity, you see a high level of basketball. Teams compete. In that, it’s similar to the EuroLeague Final Four. The only thing that’s different is the atmosphere, and I’d love to have that here,” concluded Antetokounmpo.

Giannis’ Leadership in the Locker Room

In the same press conference, Giannis reflected on his evolution as a leader within the Bucks locker room.

“I’ve always used my voice throughout my career. Obviously, I’ve played alongside teammates with a lot of experience. When I was 23, 24, or 25 years old, during those years, we had guys like George Hill, Jrue Holiday, Kyle Korver, Wesley Matthews, and Robin Lopez—they were very experienced players,” he pointed out.

“When I gained more confidence, I started to speak up more. Now I see myself as a veteran, as someone who can help the team and bring that spark. I try to speak up more,” the Greek added.

“I think that by raising my voice, I feel more involved in the game. The guys not only listen to me but follow my example. I try to lead by example, but I also know that my voice is very important for the team,” concluded Giannis Antetokounmpo.