PANATHINAIKOS...We Need To Talk

Hey, if you're new here, yes, I made a top 5 list of the best fans in Europe, and you guys have been destroying me in the comments, and rightfully so. It means you guys actually care about the atmosphere and EuroLeague, and that's what makes it different from NBA versus EuroLeague. Obviously, you guys have been with me for a while, and playing in Turkey last year, I had a lot of interactions with Fenerbahçe, so I put them high on list because I saw their fans more. But in life you can mess up, so I'm gonna make one change. Panathinaikos, the loyal Gate 13, are gonna be in my top 3, and here's why. I'm making the change not because you bullied me. Okay, you bullied me, and rightfully so. The atmosphere here in Athens, especially during the playoffs, is like no other. The amount of fans, the loudness of fans, the passionate of fans. These are real religious fans, not just 9-to-5 fans like we talked about in other videos. So the change is made. No more negotiations. Gate 13, you're in the top 3. Now when it comes to Panathinaikos, we're talking about a team who is a Final Four type of team with a lot of talent. Not only are they a Final Four type of team, just a few years back they won the whole EuroLeague, so they have what it takes. And it's not going to be an easy game for us, and we have to come focused, fighting. But when it comes to the players specifically, they have the reigning MVP, they have Sloukas, who's one of the most experienced players in EuroLeague. I think he's played the most minutes in EuroLeague ever. They have great defenders, they have good 3 man, they have, they have everything. So they're a very talented team. So for us, like I said, we have to be focused and locked in. And also, I think sometimes in these big games or big pressure moments, you have to enjoy it because you as a player, or you in your life, if you're taking the MCAT, if you're taking the bar to become a lawyer, you've worked to get there. So you deserve to enjoy this moment. I think sometimes, especially in my life too, you have these big achievements and I'm always like focused on not what's next, but like just trying to get better, trying to get better. And sometimes you kind of have to sit back and be grateful for what you've accomplished and be grateful for the pressure. I think people get nervous under pressure, and obviously you get nervous with pressure and the game starts, stuff like that. But I love to say like pressure is a privilege, and if you have pressure, that means you're doing something worthwhile. Not only do they have great players, they had basically Kobe Bryant on their team last year. Jetty turned into Kobe Bryant when we played them last year, and he had a great series, and he played really well, and he actually played really well in the World Cup this year. And I think especially from FS, we owe him one because he, he was hitting everything and he had it. He had a great, great playoff run.

Well, good evening everyone and welcome to Athens. Tonight we are at the newly refurbished Telekom Center where 7-time European title holders Panathinaikos host the reigning Eurocup champions Hapoel Tel Aviv in round 17 of the EuroLeague.

The game's just started, they're already in mid-season form. First possession, the Baden-Eyegos.

Here's Grant, little rise from the mid-range jump shot, it's short.

Good defense by Haboel Tel Aviv. Longer than usual. Here's Bryant, off the window, got it. Match. Mitalu, it was an opportunity to go high-low, but Mitalu missed that shot a little short.

Just 1 of 5. Speaking of which, here's Bryant in space, strings it.

It's a rebound for Ty Ennis. Loader time right there.

You saw it coming.

Talk about Bryant wide open in the short corner and converts it.

Elijah Bryant, what a great drive by Elijah Bryant.

Well, unfortunately we lost, but fortunately you never lose, you only learn. And as a team, we missed 12 free throws. I missed 2 free throws. So there's a lot that we can learn from this game. 2 things that I did well and 1 thing that I can work on. 2 things I did well. I think I stayed aggressive throughout the game and tried to communicate to my team and keep them together throughout the whole game, whether up or down. A few things I could have done better at, obviously objectively. Make my 2 free throws.

Talk less to the refs.

I could have been way better about talking less to the refs. Sometimes your emotions get the best of you. Yeah, sucks, but I'm gonna watch the film and then watch it.

Watching the film allows me to objectively see exactly what happened during the game from a bird's-eye point of view.

And as always, faith plus consistency.

Love.