Both teams feature a player with NBA experience.
Greece has unveiled its 12-man lineup for the FIBA World Cup. Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, the European team will only have one active NBA player on its roster in Giannis’ older brother Thanasis. As it is, Greece’s bid to win the basketball’s crown jewel has become tougher.
To have a shot at making a serious run for the title, Greece will have to rely on its 7-foot-3 center Georgios Papagiannis and the veteran leadership of guys like Kostas Papanikolaou, who has been through many battles with the Greek national team. The 33-year-old forward has been chipping in 7.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in the FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers. Perhaps the driver of this team will still be the 26-year-old big man, Papagiannis, who normed 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in the qualifiers.
Of course, fans voiced out their thoughts on the Giannis-less Greek team.
“Sayang, ‘di ko mapapanood nang live si Giannis,” Keith Rian Ranchez Gruba commented on Facebook.
Some just retorted to clowning, perhaps in frustration of the Greek Freak’s absence.
“Lakas niyan, kasama ‘yung kapatid at papa ni Giannis,” netizen Rommel R. Maquiling quipped.
One fan noticed another crucial name missing on the Greek roster.
“First time nawala na rin sa lineup ni Nick Calathes, posted Clark Chavez.
The absence of the reliable point guard, along with Giannis’ is perhaps the reason why so many are already writing the European squad off.
“This team will have trouble getting out of the preliminaries,” Facebook user John Todd said.
Another Group C team in Jordan has also unveiled its final roster for the World Cup. Headlining the squad are familiar players such as the towering Ahmad Aldwairi, dangerous shooter Sami Bzai, and veteran Zaid Abbas. But of course, the most glaring name on the lineup is former PBA champion import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. With a legit NBA player leading the Jordanian side, its fighting chance in a stacked Group C that also has USA and New Zealand, seems to have improved.
But the question is, will it be enough?
(GM)