Michael Jordan’s query in Nikos Galis after having seen him dominate in 1983: “Why are you right here? Why are you not in america? Initially appeared on Basketball community.
Greek basketball legend Nikos Galis He just lately appeared on the Podcast of Thanasis Antetokounmpo, a program that deeply plunges into the historical past of hoops.
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The brother of the antetokounmpo neighborhood mentioned that he had, as all the time, his analysis and had due to this fact not missed the emblematic confrontation of Gallis of 1983 towards the College of North Carolina – and Michael Jordan.
This nostalgic second has naturally grow to be a key topic throughout Candide interviewWith the sharing of Galis revealing concepts – together with what the longer term Chicago Bulls The icon instructed him after the match.
Jordan vs Galis
November 20, 1983, MJ And her North Carolina teammates went to Athens for a pleasant match towards the Greek nationwide workforce.
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Nonetheless, what began as a workforce recreation shortly changed into a duel between the 2 finest scorers: Jordan and Galis.
On the time, Mike, 20, was the most effective prospects within the nation, leaving its second season, on common a stable 20.0 factors per recreation For UNC And win the honors of the primary All-ECC workforce.
In the meantime, Nik, 26, already a European star from Aris Thessaloniki, had simply dominated Eurobasket as high scorer within the match, establishing a formidable 33.6 factors per competitors.
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In the long run, on this aforementioned match, the 2 capturing guards confirmed precisely what their repute was as offensive powers. On the finish of the match, Galis had collected 24 factors, whereas MJ led all of the gamers with 34.
“Michael was a younger boy at the moment. He performed for North Carolina. However he confirmed indicators, even at a younger age, that he was going to be one thing particular”, “ Nikos recalled the longer term NBA champion six instances and the 5 -time MVP.
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Galis and the NBA
Regardless of the defeat of 100 to 83 towards the Tar Heels on a go to, Galis left with one thing unforgettable – the reward of Jordan. Addressing Greek journalists after the match, MJ mentioned, mentioned, mentioned “I didn’t anticipate to see such a marker, particularly out of your nation.”
Much more vital than public recognition, Mike moved Nikos away after the match and shared just a few phrases that stayed with him.
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Greater than 4 many years later, sitting with the Antetokounmpo brothers, Galis may nonetheless recall the phrase phrase for phrase.
“Why are you right here? Why are you not in america?” Galis mentioned Jordan had requested him.
From right now’s viewpoint, the query – one of many six toes had actually heard greater than as soon as – was completely logical. In any case, by way of pure expertise, Galis operated at a degree totally different from all his teammates – and a lot of the European gamers, by the best way.
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So why did the 68-year-old younger man ever transfer to the NBA, usually thought-about the last word scene for any basketball participant?
Galis, who was written by the Boston Celtics In 1979, however missed the coaching camp resulting from an harm, then returned to Europe, mentioned that he had given Jordan a easy response.
“I mentioned:” As a result of I adore it right here “” He identified.
In fact, Nik, who was born in New Jersey and who had attended highschool and faculty in america, admitted that he generally considered going again. He even known as it a dream of enjoying within the NBA. However the legend of the FIBA approached it with realism – and ultimately, staying in Greece felt proper. Perhaps it was not such a foul name in spite of everything. Because the proverb says, generally the grass is just not greener on the opposite aspect.
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Anyway, he – identical to Jordan – ended up on the Naismith basketball famend temple, an honor reserved just for the cream of the cream of sport.
This story was initially reported by Basketball community On July 24, 2025, the place he appeared for the primary time.
