“They didn’t even give him citizenship until he got famous” – NBA fans CALL OUT Giannis Antetokounmpo for claiming to be Greece’s Michael Jordan

Antetokounmpo's Stardom - The Jordan and LeBron of Greece?

“They didn’t even give him citizenship until he got famous” – NBA fans CALL OUT Giannis Antetokounmpo for claiming to be Greece’s Michael Jordan

Giannis Antetokounmpo (left), LeBron James (center) and Michael Jordan (right) (images via Twitter)

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the star player for the Milwaukee Bucks, has recently drawn comparisons between his celebrity stature in Greece and the iconic Michael Jordan and LeBron James’ statuses in the United States.

In a candid conversation with Tania Ganguli of The New York Times, Antetokounmpo expressed the amazing welcome he received upon returning home. “The way LeBron James or Michael Jordan is for the States, the same way I am for Greece. Maybe larger.”

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While the audacity of such a claim might raise eyebrows, considering the international stature of Jordan and James, there’s a context to Giannis’s sentiment. Basketball, which has established a unique place in Europe, has seen its popularity soar in Greece, primarily due to Antetokounmpo’s rapid rise in the NBA.

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However, Giannis’s statement doesn’t undermine the legacy of LeBron and Jordan. Instead, it underlines the significant influence of a local boy making it big on an international platform, instilling hope and national pride.

Related: NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo hints potential Bucks exit, DOUBTS #1 East team’s ‘intentions’ next season

NBA fans weigh in on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s identity in Greece

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Giannis Antetokounmpo (image via Twitter)

Giannis’s claim that he is comparable to the “Michael Jordan of Greece” hasn’t sat well with a section of the NBA fandom.

A fan pointedly tweeted, “They didn’t even give him citizenship until he got famous.” This reference hints at the initial struggles of the Antetokounmpo family as Nigerian immigrants in Greece, before Giannis’s prowess on the basketball court became a ticket to Greek citizenship.

Here are some of the Twitter reactions:

While Giannis Antetokounmpo’s journey has been marked by talent and determination, the discussion surrounding his identity highlights the connection between athletics, nationalism, and personal narratives. Only time will determine if Greece truly views him on level with basketball legends like Jordan and LeBron.

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