Heated debates are nothing new in NBA circles or the world of sports at large. But the Jonas Valanciunas saga has exposed Nuggets fans—and, by extension, parts of the Denver media—to a whole new level of sports fanaticism. In certain corners of Europe, basketball is more than a sport—the level of devotion borders on religious. This is especially seen in places like Greece, Turkey or Lithuania where fan loyalty—especially toward specific clubs—mirrors the intensity typically associated with ultras at football matches. They are raw, emotional, and unfortunately at times willing to cross the line of acceptable behavior.
How NBA Is Experiencing Power of European Basketball Culture
DNVR’s Adam Mares, his co-hosts, and other Nuggets-focused media members found themselves swept into a storm of impassioned—and at times threatening—reactions from Panathinaikos supporters, triggered by the drama surrounding the Lithuanians’ potential move to Athens. While harassment is never acceptable, the intense passion displayed by these fans offers a glimpse into why certain NBA players—even those with lucrative contracts and key roles—might be drawn to play overseas, specifically in the Euroleague. It also revealed the ongoing rift between European and NBA fans, rooted in the latter’s disregard for basketball beyond the states.
To many Nuggets fans, the idea of Valanciunas walking away from a guaranteed NBA contract—and willingly giving up that money to play in Europe—seemed baffling. Why leave a backup role on a championship contender, sharing the position with one of the greatest centers of all time? Speculation among U.S. fans has ranged from family considerations to under-the-table financial incentives. But in focusing on those narratives, many may be missing the most important factor. There’s a real, basketball-driven case justifying Valanciunas’ decision to possibly play for Panathinaikos.
Understanding Valanciunas’ Perspective to Possibly Play for Panathinaikos
Let’s be honest: Valanciunas’ most likely scenario in Denver is going to be a limited bench role, contributing mostly during the regular season. Given his defensive limitations, there’s a strong chance he wouldn’t see significant playoff minutes in key matchups. By contrast, a move to Panathinaikos offers something entirely different—a starring role on one of Europe’s most storied clubs, playing in front of some of the most passionate fans in the world.
Just look at Kendrick Nunn. In the NBA, he was a decent scorer who has largely faded from memory and would never be something special in the U.S. In Athens however, he’s been able to become one of the faces of the EuroLeague.
Joining Panathinaikos also means playing in the legendary Athens Derby against Olympiacos—an atmosphere unmatched by anything in the NBA. The opportunity to become a club icon, rather than just another NBA role player, is understandably appealing. In fact, the pull of Europe’s electric basketball atmosphere is something Valanciunas acknowledged even before this saga began. In interviews following this year’s Final Four in Abu Dhabi, and during his courtside appearance at the Lithuanian League Finals, he openly hinted at a desire to return to Europe, driven largely by that same passion.
Backing up Nikola Jokic is an intriguing job, but often a thankless one. His unique style of play is impossible to replicate, which is one of the reasons why the dreaded “non-Jokic minutes” have plagued Denver for nearly his entire tenure and are going to be difficult to fix even with a quality backup like Valanciunas.
Why were Panathinaikos Fans so Hostile during the Valanciunas Saga?
To Mares and many Nuggets fans, the intensity of the backlash from European supporters could have come as a shock. After all, Denver’s fanbase has largely had positive interactions with European fans through the shared admiration for Jokic. But this incident reveals a deeper, more complicated relationship between the NBA and European basketball culture.
There’s often an implicit—maybe even unintentional—dismissal of European basketball in North American circles. The idea of a player willingly leaving the NBA for Europe is frequently met with confusion, as if such a decision is inherently absurd.
The Valanciunas saga came with added complexity that made him an especially sympathetic figure among Greek fans. His reported willingness to walk away from the guaranteed money left on his NBA contract to join Panathinaikos only amplified that support, eventually giving rise to the hashtag #FreeValanciunas.
Mares even described the whole situation as a “dangerous precedent” for the league, suggesting that more European players might follow suit, choosing to leave their NBA contracts behind to return overseas. That sentiment feels deeply ironic to many European fans, considering that the NBA has long been taking Europe’s top talent.
The NBA operates without a transfer system. European clubs invest in developing young talent, only to watch them leave for the U.S. with basically no compensation. And because the NBA is the undisputed pinnacle of professional basketball, few players resist its gravitational pull, since playing on that stage is the dream they’ve chased their entire lives. That’s why there’s little sympathy from EuroLeague fans when the Nuggets faced the prospect of losing their backup center.
A Crossroads for Global Basketball?
Perhaps this moment can serve as a catalyst for healthier basketball interactions that transcend the boundaries of the NBA. While the league proudly markets itself as a “global game,” meaningful interaction between NBA fans and followers of other basketball leagues remain rare.
Rather than dismissing the idea that a player might choose Athens over an NBA franchise, it’s time to acknowledge that playing outside the U.S. is not the step into irrelevancey some American fans believe it to be. The EuroLeague, in particular, offers a basketball experience—with its unmatched atmosphere and competitive intensity—that the NBA simply does not replicate. And for non-star players, the salaries can be competitive to what they get offered in the U.S.
With more mutual respect and understanding, heated moments like this could evolve into something far more constructive. Because at the end of the day, we all love the game of basketball. And maybe—despite all the noise—the Valanciunas saga can spark something better.
Photo credit: © John Hefti-Imagn Images
The post How NBA Is Experiencing Power of European Basketball Culture appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.