By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Patrick Beverley joined the growing field of excitement around the exhibition game between Panathinaikos Aktor and Partizan Mozzart Bet in the Panathenaic Stadium.
Beverley, 36, praised the atmosphere in Athens and commented on whether an NBA team would potentially prevail in such conditions.
“It would be tough for an NBA team to win there,” he explained on the most recent installment of the Pat Bev Podcast with Rone, “I am not saying it would not happen. It would be tough, that is all. Like almost 50,000 people against you. Like any mistake is magnified. Any missed shot is magnified. Any big shot is like a dagger. It would be hard.”
“When I say they support, they support”
Extending personal reactions to fans supporting their favorite teams, he described the experience of playing in an away game with Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv.
“When I say they support, they support. We might have had a thousand fans at the Badalona game. They got onto flights. They came and showed love. They got their red on,” he said, “These fans bleed Hapoel.”
“Maybe an hour before, they are all dressed in red. They all got special chants. Everyone has a special chant for your name. Everyone got a song. It is little kids, older people, young teenagers, young adults, 40-year-olds, 50-year-olds, 60-year-olds, 10-year-olds, the range of age is so different here,” he continued.
Beverley netted 14 points in a losing effort against Joventut Badalona on Tuesday. His side was forced to 0-1 in Group A of the EuroCup Regular Season.
“It is a long season. We understand anything can happen, but the most important is to be disciplined and have fun,” he pointed out after the game in Badalona.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net