AMERICAN ATHLETE REACTS TO American Basketball Players Talking About European Basketball Atmosphere

[@dm5319]

I lived in GR from 2001 to 2005 in Athens - and went to one basketball game. It's as nuts during the regular season. My ears rang for two days. Non-stop chants and standing/jumping. I actually would not go to a football (soccer) game - too dangerous. Really. I lived near/10 blocks from the Panathinaikos football stadium, and whenever I stepped outside, I knew when there was a home game: I smelled tear gas. Fans would (overnight, when there was no one there, thankfully) Molotov cocktail opposing fans' club house locations around the dates of important matches. It's all part of the club system: for example Aris, AEK, Olympiakos all have a football team, basketball team, volleyball team, etc. Men's and women's in many sports. As for the nuttiest places to see a game? Anywhere in the Balkans, Greece, Turkey, Israel. There is fun article (maybe 3 years old, from SI?) where a reporter was interviewing Luka, Ntilikina, and some other foreign rookies, and he asked them if they were intimidated playing at the Forum, MSG, Boston Garden, etc., and they just about laughed at him - as in, are you kidding us.

[@pavelb4228]

I think the main difference between the USA and Europe is that we don't look at the players as protected celebrities here in Europe, but as performers loved or hated, who have to earn their respect... And the players of the away team are always just the hated guys, no celebrities... and the goal of the home fans is to intimidate them all...

[@arjanpetersen]

they are warriors but not celebrities indeed.

[@percept1on815]

Gist is a great and funny dude , glad to have seen him play for us. All that he said is real too. I don't like the super extreme things that happen in our country regarding the sports rivalries but the great atmosphere that you can experience in a football and a basketball game is indeed a lifetime experience.

[@onejayp]

Yea I understand. Aside from all the wildness they experienced. It seems like they all had a great time playing in Europe. A lot of players lose hope here when they don’t make it to the NBA, but a lot of players are well paid out there. Players could definitely make a name around the world. There’s a lot of great team.

[@rickybuhl3176]

Some say it's life or death, others know it's much more important.

[@MrFosite]

Reason Greece comes up is cause those fans aren't just basketball fans, this are ultra fans, they support any sport and come in huge numbers. Often large parts of this fans bases are part of the hooligan groups associated with said clubs. This people consider themselves basically ultra fans. And one group in Greece currently is in a literal fight with the police and government.

[@jasonx1able]

Im a ado den haag fan( Netherlands) its a great atmosphere because you have to stand by your side no matter what but it also has it downsides tho we had a rival team that ambushed our clubhouse a day before the scheduled fight sadly a kid was fatally shot that day

[@marijasekulic2326]

this is actualy team (fans) that Gist is talking about : Partizan-Belgrade-Serbia

[@majasrbia]

About not allowing opposing team fans to enter end watch the game - it is same in Serbia , between Partizan and Red Star . Its because security issues. Just who plays home has support. Craziest thing about it is - both teams are from Belgrade. 😅😅😂😂

[@arjanpetersen]

yeah in netherlands as well. Ajax and Feyenoord fans can't be around each other. It's a giant safety hazard. But they will organize their own riots as well in fields. Pikornie is a famous hooligan that died during these riots.

[@jackbauerqqq]

we dont liek basketball more then players but we love the club more dont matter if fotball basket tennis golf etc etc

[@darksouls5660]

please do the part 2 of this video.

[@rickybuhl3176]

+1 It's a bloody brilliant series and insight into what our normal looks like to outsiders

[@Dubbudha]

The key aspect is "franchise vs club". A club is far more than a franchise!

[@pspsvan65]

If someone in the audience in the NBA were to say something stupid to a player, that spectator risks being ejected. In Europe it doesn't happen because everyone is screaming all the time and you don't dare throw fans out of the arena because there could be a riot. The atmosphere is tough in some countries such as Serbia, Greece, Turkey.

[@Marina-rt6ok]

Basically, the difference is haw you are going to the game In NBA, you are going to dinner, watch game In Europe you are going basically in the war zone. Did you see enibody eating on this game?

[@dennishendrikx3228]

To get a permanent ban in NBA stadiums, is like getting a ban from the rollerblade disco. Who cares. No atmosphere. You don't have to curse players out, or light flairs. Just don't just sit there. Jump for your city, show who you are.

[@dragangagi1054]

i think best way is to explain kinda like streetball u can do almost everything and fans are biggest resistance to police aswell

[@AceHighAlbion]

Ultras follow the club not the sport! So if the club have basket and football, and volleyball or icehockey etc ultras are there!

[@mtgmarina]

Greece: they sent a friend of mine to the hospital cause he was wearing the opposing team's T-shirt at the train station. Hit from behind and kept kicking him while he was down.

[@AceHighAlbion]

And this is why fans use masks and fight police etc when police try to stop fans , now you understand Ultra our way of life!

[@georgekoul]

The laws here in Europe are much tougher than America but Noone gives a shit about laws

[@arjanpetersen]

Kevin Garnett gets it!!

[@rebbojar2475]

Basketball in Europe is top in the so-called Balkans (southeastern Europe): Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Israel + Spain (southwestern Europe), these are the countries where basketball reigns, but other countries where the fans are top are better in others European countries in another sport, etc

[@petarkalcov1856]

Partizan 😜