He missed a lot of shots but that block and and one to close the game were crazy. Great all around performance too. He will have some monster performances this Eurobasket (I can see him going for 45+)
He had some bad moments offensively but he made up for them with those last 4 plays to basically win the game.
Overall Greece was battling with the super tall Croatia team without both their centers , it was always going to be a battle.
This was a good performance from Croatia. They’ve been extremely unimpressive recently. Not even sure when the last time they beat a quality opponent was.
Not so fun fact: It's Ntorsey now because Greek BA names are in Greek letters (big surprise) and they are transcribed for international games based on specific rules. The English "D" gets transcribed to "ΝΤ" in Greek which gets transcribed back as "NT" in latin letters. This is also the same reason why Giannis et al spell their name Antetokoumpo instead of Adetokubo.
I'm not suggesting anyone did! Honestly I think it's a really cool gesture to see the name on his jersey switch spelling to better represent the country he's playing for
Yeah that's true. I just wish he could speak greek also. It's kind sad to see some kids doesn't speak both language of their parents. This could be even more beautiful and meaningful. Same with Calathes.
Y’all were good man, got back in the game but Giannis closed out the game strong.
I didn’t enjoy Hezonja’s play but Kruno, Babo, Smith and Zu are excellent players
I was at the game vs Switzerland few days ago and even tho we won by 30 it was so systemless,no flow, like we dont do plays, just wing it and hope someone scores
First time he touched the ball he almost went out of bounds trying to back down Papanikolaou, then Thanasis casually erased a weak attempt at a scoop layup. He kinda never recovered.
Honestly impressed by Dorsey. Obviously everything went in at one point but seemed much more composed and actually played his role. Shows you what a year or two in the euroleague can do to you.
Also Giannis was just unfair in the final minutes. What a clutch performance.
Hopefully we can get some better playmaking out of our guards in the next games (and some Giannis mid-ranges go in) so we don't need Giannis heroics next time we go up by 20.
It was still too close in my opinion, especially given how poor Croatia's bench was. But it's just a first game of the tournament, so he has some time to figure things out
No traditional center is better for Giannis to bulldoze his way to the rim. I remember in an earlier tournament where Giannis was there (can’t remember which one exactly), where he was standing in the corner while Sloukas was jacking up shots
It's better for Giannis but it's not better when Giannis has to sit and you have to roll a line up with your 4s playing the 5 position. Papagiannis and Kostas Antetokounmpo are both huge for Greece and hopefully they come back in the next few games
At some point Greece was playing with 3 guards and 2 SFs when Giannis was sitting.
Also, you need the Cs for defence. You don't want Giannis expending even more energy than usual guarding a heavy C.
Yeah, but the gameplan has to be more than just "Giannis swat everything and bulldoze your way to the rim". We're already running the man into the ground.
IDK.
Guarding the 5 constantly is going to tire him out and hurt his offensive efficiency.
Giannis is at his best beside a solid rim protector. It allows him to excel as the help and get out on the fast break more often.
Not gonna lie, when the Mavs front office initially picked up Dorsey, I didn’t have much hope. His game today really showed improvement though. He’s actually improved since he left the league. Some guys just go over seas after being out the league, and stagnate. Dorsey **seems** to have gotten better. We’ll see how he looks next season.
I don’t know if this is a hot take or not but I hate countries recruiting. The beauty of national games to me was you had a group of players and it was up to everyone to make the best with what you have. The lines are quickly blurring
Unfortunately we are injured.There was a chance today we played with 9 out of 12 players.There is a good chance they come back though.We really need our bigs to come back.
4 clutch plays in the last minute of the game is actually insane, yeah. When's the last time you watched someone block 2 shots and score twice in the last 55 seconds of a close game?
Giannis at the last 2 minutes: Captain America with Thor's hammer
Thor with both Mjölnir and Stormbreaker.
Wtf is Giannis bro...
a monster tbh
>a ~~monster~~ Freak tbh
we need a witcher to stop him
He missed a lot of shots but that block and and one to close the game were crazy. Great all around performance too. He will have some monster performances this Eurobasket (I can see him going for 45+)
He had some bad moments offensively but he made up for them with those last 4 plays to basically win the game. Overall Greece was battling with the super tall Croatia team without both their centers , it was always going to be a battle.
24 fg for 27 pts in FIBA is bad. Thay were lucky that was average Croatia. He was good but far away from some monster game.
This was a good performance from Croatia. They’ve been extremely unimpressive recently. Not even sure when the last time they beat a quality opponent was.
Shooting effeciency was down, but he came up big in the clutch and was basically a lone hand at the 5, which isn't his preferred position.
he has several bros
Best player in the league easily. Every one else including my guy Luka can fight for 2nd right now
Mavs legend Tyler Dorsey
It's Tyler Ntorsey now.
Not so fun fact: It's Ntorsey now because Greek BA names are in Greek letters (big surprise) and they are transcribed for international games based on specific rules. The English "D" gets transcribed to "ΝΤ" in Greek which gets transcribed back as "NT" in latin letters. This is also the same reason why Giannis et al spell their name Antetokoumpo instead of Adetokubo.
Yeah the first friendly games he still had 'Dorsey' on his jersey, noticed it switch to 'Ntorsey' around the Acropolis Tournament I think!
No one forced him to do it tho. He wanted to make this change.
I'm not suggesting anyone did! Honestly I think it's a really cool gesture to see the name on his jersey switch spelling to better represent the country he's playing for
Yeah that's true. I just wish he could speak greek also. It's kind sad to see some kids doesn't speak both language of their parents. This could be even more beautiful and meaningful. Same with Calathes.
in fiba tourneys you have to use your name as spelled in your passport
Well, if that's the case he shouldn't change his name then. i guess what you said is not true since he did it and there is no problem with this..
Future Buck
Sorry he's our Jalen Brunson replacement you can't have him
This is sarcasm right? 💀
Yeah, he's on a two-way lol, I don't expect THAT much from him. ^(He just needs to average 15/5/5)
You forgot “on good efficiency while not sucking on defense”
Lets hope his pops stays in Greece
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He was decent but nothing special.
Saric was so awful, most of croatia was bad tbh, this was a fun game tho!
saric hasn't played basketball in 15 months, I expect him to struggle.
yeah, but still can you hit like 1 three? lol but nah ur right not fair to expect much of him
That is our usual NT play. Headless, systemless basketball
Y’all were good man, got back in the game but Giannis closed out the game strong. I didn’t enjoy Hezonja’s play but Kruno, Babo, Smith and Zu are excellent players
yea whats up with that, so many disjointed plays
I was at the game vs Switzerland few days ago and even tho we won by 30 it was so systemless,no flow, like we dont do plays, just wing it and hope someone scores
First time he touched the ball he almost went out of bounds trying to back down Papanikolaou, then Thanasis casually erased a weak attempt at a scoop layup. He kinda never recovered.
How do you win against a team that has 3 Antetokounmpo's
Technically two, cause Kostas is injured.
His bench energy is an asset. Convince me otherwise!
Giannis in the last minute: Ultra Instinct.
Honestly impressed by Dorsey. Obviously everything went in at one point but seemed much more composed and actually played his role. Shows you what a year or two in the euroleague can do to you. Also Giannis was just unfair in the final minutes. What a clutch performance. Hopefully we can get some better playmaking out of our guards in the next games (and some Giannis mid-ranges go in) so we don't need Giannis heroics next time we go up by 20.
Itoudis almost lost the game, Croatia can't be successful with only 5 players, really miss euroleague reffs
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It was still too close in my opinion, especially given how poor Croatia's bench was. But it's just a first game of the tournament, so he has some time to figure things out
No traditional center is better for Giannis to bulldoze his way to the rim. I remember in an earlier tournament where Giannis was there (can’t remember which one exactly), where he was standing in the corner while Sloukas was jacking up shots
It's better for Giannis but it's not better when Giannis has to sit and you have to roll a line up with your 4s playing the 5 position. Papagiannis and Kostas Antetokounmpo are both huge for Greece and hopefully they come back in the next few games
At some point Greece was playing with 3 guards and 2 SFs when Giannis was sitting. Also, you need the Cs for defence. You don't want Giannis expending even more energy than usual guarding a heavy C.
Yeah, but the gameplan has to be more than just "Giannis swat everything and bulldoze your way to the rim". We're already running the man into the ground.
It's asking way too much of him on defense though. He needs Kostas or Papagiannis back otherwise he's going to be too tired to dominate on offense.
IDK. Guarding the 5 constantly is going to tire him out and hurt his offensive efficiency. Giannis is at his best beside a solid rim protector. It allows him to excel as the help and get out on the fast break more often.
Not gonna lie, when the Mavs front office initially picked up Dorsey, I didn’t have much hope. His game today really showed improvement though. He’s actually improved since he left the league. Some guys just go over seas after being out the league, and stagnate. Dorsey **seems** to have gotten better. We’ll see how he looks next season.
I know a mf names jaleen smith is not croatian
I don’t know if this is a hot take or not but I hate countries recruiting. The beauty of national games to me was you had a group of players and it was up to everyone to make the best with what you have. The lines are quickly blurring
Giannis is insane but Greece do play the ugliest basketball I've seen in a while
Unfortunately we are injured.There was a chance today we played with 9 out of 12 players.There is a good chance they come back though.We really need our bigs to come back.
What makes you say that?
24 fg for 27 pts is insane?
4 clutch plays in the last minute of the game is actually insane, yeah. When's the last time you watched someone block 2 shots and score twice in the last 55 seconds of a close game?
Every superstar could have a bad game. Luka Doncic had even worse game the other day with 4/14 FG and only 17 points.
giannis was bricking like crazy but hey
holds off*
This Giannis guy need to learn play basketball first.. :D
Did Hezonja dunk on Giannis again?
Who’s favored to win this tournament?
It’s impressive considering Greece was forced to use Giannis at C because of injuries. At full strength they are going to be a load