Following Latvia’s game against Greece in the Acropolis tournament opener, Kristaps Porzingis addressed questions about a potential return to Europe to conclude his basketball career. The Atlanta Hawks forward, who started his professional journey with Sevilla in 2012, appeared receptive to the notion of playing in Europe once more, highlighting the allure of European clubs and their passionate fans.
Impressed by Greek Basketball Atmosphere
When asked about the possibility of signing with a Greek team, Porzingis responded with cautious optimism. “Sure, sure, why not?” he said.
“I mean, I haven’t really given it too much thought, but just seeing some of the clubs here in Greece, you know, the atmosphere here for the games and stuff would be a really, really unbelievable atmosphere to play in.”
Although he did not confirm any concrete plans, Porzingis expressed respect for the intense rivalries and enthusiastic fans he has witnessed during this tournament.
Challenges in Recent International Play
Porzingis had a challenging performance during the Latvia–Greece matchup, scoring only seven points and grabbing four rebounds in just over 19 minutes of play. Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was dominant, putting up 25 points and 10 rebounds in 21 minutes to lead Greece to a 104-86 victory. Reflecting on the game, Porzingis admitted,
“It was tough. It was a tough game for us. Giannis had an unbelievable first half. We could have done a better job with him, to be fair, but today was just a tough day for us, and we look forward to bouncing back tomorrow (against Italy).”
Health and Recovery Allowing a Return to Competition
This tournament marks an important milestone for Porzingis, who has been dealing with a mysterious illness since February that affected his performance through the NBA playoffs. In a July interview, he mentioned taking time off after Boston’s playoff exit to rest and recover, and now reports feeling “fantastic.” His return to the court for Latvia represents a step forward after a difficult period with his health.
Long-Term Prospects for Porzingis’ Career
Despite the talk of a Europe return, any move overseas seems unlikely in the near future given that Porzingis is 30 years old and still a highly capable NBA player when healthy. He is poised to play a significant role for the Atlanta Hawks during the upcoming season before becoming a free agent next summer.
International Experience and Comparisons to NBA Playoffs
As noted by Giorgos Kyriakidis, Porzingis’ participation in this FIBA competition is his first major international tournament since leading Latvia to a fifth-place finish at EuroBasket 2017. Porzingis drew parallels between the intense environment of international games and NBA playoff basketball.
“Playoffs is pretty similar because every game is life or death, and even now in the preparation you can feel the intensity. It’s going to ramp up even more once we actually start the tournament,”
Porzingis said.
“So I think these kind of games are fun, not just for the players but for the fans, for the atmosphere, and there’s gonna be no better place to play these kind of games than at home in Latvia. So we look forward to it.”
Implications of a Potential European Return
Porzingis’ openness to a European career in its latter stages underscores his appreciation for the passionate fanbases and competitive spirit found overseas, particularly in Greece. Should he eventually decide to play in Europe, his presence could bring significant excitement and visibility to the leagues there. For now, though, his focus remains on contributing fully to Atlanta’s season and preparing for EuroBasket with Latvia, where he hopes to build on this tournament experience.