By Vagelis Papadimitriou/ info@eurohoops.net
Lonnie Walker IV was held to the wrong end of an epic comeback by Panathinaikos Aktor in OAKA Altion on Thursday, Nevertheless, the Zalgiris superstar was impressed in Athens.
“No, not even close,” he compared the atmosphere to NBA games, “Greece is definitely one of my more favorable away games, the environment, how hostile it is, how engaged the fans are.”
A veteran of 324 appearances in the NBA, Walker joined the Kaunas outfit in late October. Using his overseas options and competing in the 2024-25 edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague includes visiting many basketball cities.
“I enjoyed myself. I enjoy the fanbase, the tenacity, and how everyone’s going. So, it was definitely one to remember,” he added, “Greece has a great fanbase. They get it going. They like to talk what they like to talk.”
In Round 23 of the Regular Season, he scored a team-high 19 points. On the winning end, Kendrick Nunn put up a game-high 26 points.
“He was a great player in the NBA,” he pointed out regarding his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate, “He got injured and it took some time for him to get his swing back together.”
“He came here and did what he had to do,” he continued, “The love and the respect that he’s gotten here is such a beautiful thing to do. Not only is that but he’s a beacon to a lot of Americans who may have the doubt to come out here or scared to come to the EuroLeague. I think that also comes with great responsibility. And I think he’s handling it all in a beautiful aspect.”