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By writing | Sport
Before becoming a coach, Vassilis Spanoulis was especially one of the greatest players in European basketball history. As such, he had had his chance in the NBA on the side of the Rockets. Almost 20 years later, he returned to this bad experience.
When we think of Greek basketball today, we think above all of Giannis Antetokounmpo, his two MVP titles in the NBA, his ring won in 2021 with the Bucks and his MVP Trophy of the Finals. But is it enough to make him the best Hellene player in history? Not sure, because he has to face competition from a Galis Nikos or a Vassilis Spanoulis.
The latter, currently coach of AS Monaco, has a most impressive record on the local and continental scene. He won the Euroleague three times and was elected MVP of the Final Four each time, but he is also septuple Greece champion. The icing on the cake, he brought his country to a title of European champion in 2005.
Vassilis Spanoulis talks about his passage in the NBA
Unsurprisingly, the rear had even tried the NBA adventure in the hope of going into another dimension. It was in 2006-2007, with the Rockets of Tracy Mcgrady and Yao Ming. The experience was not conclusive, and years later, he returned to it very honestly to Sheek. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes:
I never talked to the coach before joining the Rockets. It was a lesson for me. It is the dream of all children to one day go to the NBA. I hadn't asked anything from anyone, I just told myself that I couldn't miss this opportunity. I didn't want to have regrets at the end of my career. I did not know that my signature came from a communication error between the GM and the coach.
At the sporting level, it was a bad experience for me. But on the other hand, humanly, it was a period that hardened me, I had to grow quickly. I also worked a lot individually, which allowed me to progress. I made friends. But the important thing is to play, and that's the reason why I quickly returned to Europe.
In the current NBA, where Europeans occupy a major place, Vassilis Spanoulis may have had a chance in a rotation. But at the time, Jeff Van Gundy only granted him 8 short minutes per match, for 2.7 points, 0.9 decisive and 0.7 rebound on average. We understand why the rear returned after only one season.
Not everyone is made to evolve in the NBA, the proof with Vassilis Spanoulis. But instead of forcing his destiny and waiting for his hour, the rear preferred to return to Europe to mark the history of his country and his sport.
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