Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos has stated that the club is a primary contender for the trophy this season, while expressing a desire to recruit Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić. The remarks were made during the eighth Pavlos Giannakopoulos tournament in Athens.
The statements arrived as Panathinaikos hosts PAOK, Partizan, and Bourg at the Telekom Center Athens for the tournament. In a wide-ranging interview with the Serbian outlet Mozzartsport, club owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos addressed expectations for the upcoming campaign, his personal connection to Serbian basketball, and the factors that define a championship run.
Reflections on the Return of Željko Obradović
A central theme of the discussion centered on the homecoming of coach Željko Obradović to the Athens bench. For Giannakopoulos, the reunion carried an air of inevitability.
Deep inside I knew that one day it would happen, that he would return here. It is destiny. I am very happy that it happened this year. I hope we have successful results. But, as I said at the press conference, for me this season alone is already a success. Dimitris Giannakopoulos, club owner
While acknowledging the prestige that comes with having Obradović at the helm, the club leadership urged a measured view of the road ahead, noting that roster construction alone does not guarantee silverware.
Evaluating Contender Status and Realities
Examining the competitive landscape, Giannakopoulos pointed out that history demonstrates multiple variables beyond talent acquisition determine who lifts the trophy when the season concludes.
Team health, fortunate breaks, and squad chemistry all dictate the final outcome. Nevertheless, the combination of an experienced tactician and a deep squad provides a distinct competitive edge, placing Panathinaikos among the primary contenders for the crown.
Ambitions Involving Nikola Jokić
Among the more striking disclosures of the interview was Giannakopoulos’s aspiration regarding NBA standout Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets. Admitting that his personal viewing of North American professional basketball had waned significantly after the era of Michael Jordan, the club owner noted that Jokić’s arrival in the league revived his interest.
Evaluating the center’s historical standing, Giannakopoulos placed him among the top ten players of all time and confirmed an ambition to see Jokić with the jersey of Panathinaikos.
Deep Roots in Serbian Basketball Culture
The conversation also touched upon Giannakopoulos’s longstanding affinity for Serbia, which dates back to his student days in London when he shared living quarters with a Serbian roommate. Beyond personal friendships, the club executive revealed that he maintains support for Partizan within the Serbian domestic league.
When asked to single out notable Balkan players who left an imprint on the Greens across past eras, Giannakopoulos pointed immediately to Stojan Vranković as a lifelong favorite. Discussing athletes who represented both Partizan and Panathinaikos, such as Nikola Peković, Dejan Tomašević, and Dušan Kecman, he highlighted Tomašević for his intelligence on the court, praising players who rely on basketball IQ over pure physical attributes.