Giannis Antetokounmpo keen on a Panathinaikos vs. Celtics showdown
Giannis on a cross‑league matchup
After Milwaukee’s loss in Toronto, Giannis Antetokounmpo admitted he hasn’t been following the NBA–FIBA talks closely, but said he’s open to the idea if both leagues can coexist. He pointed out that it would be tough for American teams to travel frequently to Europe, yet he liked the concept of top teams from each circuit meeting to see who’s really the best.
He suggested a practical approach: keep each league operating on its own schedule, then arrange occasional intercontinental showdowns — perhaps in the summer — between the champions to crown an unofficial world number one.
Ataman’s challenge and what it would mean
The idea gained traction after Panathinaikos’ coach publicly called out the NBA champions, inviting a head‑to‑head meeting. Giannis said he’d welcome that matchup and thinks it would be an exciting way to compare styles and levels across the two competitions.
He acknowledged the logistical and competitive hurdles — travel, differing calendars and the intense demands on players — but said he could imagine leagues coexisting and occasionally staging high‑profile clashes for fans around the world.
At the moment it’s more conversation than plan, but the notion of a true interleague showdown remains intriguing to players and supporters alike. If it ever happens, a Panathinaikos vs. Celtics game would be one of the first big tests of the idea.
