Kendrick Nunn shared his EuroLeague playoff predictions, reflected on following Shane Larkin's path to Europe, and explained why he believes the EuroLeague is a more challenging and passionate game than the NBA.
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens star Kendrick Nunn was recently named the 2024-25 EuroLeague regular season MVP. After sharing the news on Instagram, he received congratulations from many current and former NBA players.
Naturally, many of them also ask how the EuroLeague compares to the NBA — and how Nunn feels about playing overseas.
"I tell them it's a different game," Nunn said on the EuroLeague & Friends podcast. "It's a totally different game. I tell them it's a war zone in basketball terms. When you go to an NBA game, it's more entertainment. You come watch, you bring friends and family to the game, things like that. It's a show. Halftime shows are amazing, but here it's more about the competition.
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens / Schedule
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens
Anadolu Efes Istanbul"It's more about the passion and actually trying to win the game," he added. "So, it's more enjoyable this way. I'm a competitive person, I think it fits me perfectly."
More and more former NBA players are now choosing the EuroLeague over chasing an NBA dream through the G League or short-term contracts. Nunn believes he's helping open the door for others to come to Europe.
"I think I am, and not only me," he said. "Let's say Shane [Larkin], for example. Back when I was in the NBA, I was watching what Shane did here, and I was thinking, 'OK, there's some opportunity and possibility there.'
"He's an American coming over to Europe and having a success, and then here comes me a couple of years later to follow. I think it started off with Shane, to be honest, and now I'm carrying the torch.
"There's a lot of American players that's come over this year that I've talked to and kind of convinced them to come over," Nunn revealed. "As the years go on, you'll definitely see more Americans coming over."
Nunn also shared that he helped bring Wenyen Gabriel to Maccabi Tel Aviv last offseason — and even advocated for him to join Panathinaikos when Mathias Lessort and Omer Yurtseven suffered injuries.
Now, Nunn is about to meet his European role model, Shane Larkin, on the court. Panathinaikos will face Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the playoffs, with Game 1 set for Tuesday night at OAKA Arena.
However, there are three more series in the EuroLeague — Olympiacos vs. Real, Fenerbahce vs. Paris, and Monaco vs. Barcelona — so Nunn also tried to predict them.
"I have Paris, I got Monaco and Olympiacos."
As he put it: "The fun starts now. It's the best time of the year."
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