Masai Ujiri: Giannis is not Greek, he's Nigerian

[JN61]

Other people telling how or what another person is or should feel is always bad in my books. It's clear Gianni's values both of his backgrounds and that makes him as a person he's these days. Not a fan of comments by GM.

[Mr Loggins]

"Nigerian Freak" does not have a very good ring to it.

Nigerian Night Terror?

[peja_the_legend]

So according to Masai there are no American NBA players.Cause i'm not aware of any native american currently in NBA.

[Yuri Vaultin]

So according to Masai there are no American NBA players.Cause i'm not aware of any native american currently in NBA.

There is the slight and inconvenient fact that Giannis himself says he identifies as Nigerian first and foremost. This is less about Masai and more about Giannis. You do know Masai knows the family very, very well, right (as in, he's the one responsible for helping get them Greek citizenship)?

[Meat]

“But where are you really from?”

[Balllin]

People also need to consider that this whole being greek thing ("the greek freak"), is a huge boost for Giannis brand, especially in the European market. Just the nickname "The greek freak" has huge market recognition and marketability. Also this whole current postmodern "diversity" trend, in which being an ethnic minority/homosexual/nonbinary gender can be marketed to the max and generate extra cash (see Kapernick, Serena Williams, etc) and expand a brand. It is all part of the current culture industry, where everyone wants to take a moralist stand, be it by means of consuming the "morally right" product or brand - so here is your black, poor kid from greece that has defied racism and poverty to become an NBA MVP:

I can totally see Giannis sticking to his greek identity simply for financial and branding purposes, it's an asset, while truly feeling nigerian inside.

[Nuntius]

So according to Masai there are no American NBA players.Cause i'm not aware of any native american currently in NBA.

There is the slight and inconvenient fact that Giannis himself says he identifies as Nigerian first and foremost. This is less about Masai and more about Giannis. You do know Masai knows the family very, very well, right (as in, he's the one responsible for helping get them Greek citizenship)?

Yuri, the "not Greek" part is something that only Masai has said. Giannis has never said that he isn't Greek. What Giannis has said, in every chance that he's got, is that he identifies as both Nigerian and Greek.

Take a look at this tweet in which he says that both him and his brothers are Greek-Nigerians:

Read on Twitter

Also, take a look at this video (that was posted in page 12) where he says that "there is room for two homes in one's heart":

Watch on YouTube

Now, I agree with you that the comment you replied to was also incorrect. This isn't a very good comparison since there is a difference between first and second generation immigrant families and families who have been in a particular place for hundreds and hundreds of years.

But that doesn't make what Masai said correct. No, Masai was wrong. He is a great GM and deserves a ton of praise for getting you guys a title. I also respect his passion to help players of African descent and to help create NBA infrastructure in the continent. But in this particular case? He is wrong. No one gets to decide how another person identifies. That right belongs to that person and that person only. And Giannis identifies as both Nigerian and Greek. Calling him "not Greek" is just wrong.

Edit: Fixed some typos

[Jazz9]

Giannis himself says he identifies as Nigerian first and foremost?

He identifies as both so Ujiri's wrong, end of.



Guess who did just that?

He should have shut up instead of telling someone else what they are

[Balllin]

His nationality is Greek, his ethnicity is Nigerian. This isn't very hard.

this is factually wrong. since his parents are nigerian nationals, by virtue of being born to them, he automatically becomes a nigerian national, too. he might not hold an actual nigerian passport but would be entitled to obtaining one. this is called citizenship by blood right or jus sanguinis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jus_sanguinis)

[Panathinaikos]

Masai truly coming to take that Bucks' soul with his early FA recruiting.

The family/friend connection will be too much.

Bucks losing in 6 will turn into a former Buck now living in the 6.

Greece wouldn't even give Giannis citizenship. Allegedly.

Until Masai stepped in.

lol

[mickie]

Masai truly coming to take that Bucks' soul with his early FA recruiting.

The family/friend connection will be too much.

Bucks losing in 6 will turn into a former Buck now living in the 6.

Greece wouldn't even give Giannis citizenship. Allegedly.

Until Masai stepped in.

lol

it's also just so convenient that Masai cleared books for 2021's free agency. #GiannisToTheNorth #GiannisToThe6

[freestyler34]

Good read about Giannis

https://theundefeated.com/features/bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-greek-freak-wants-to-go-back-to-his-nigerian-roots/

[spikeslovechild]

What would be? Which part? Because I have zero clue what was racist about any of it, if said by anyone. I'm going to assume you have no idea about Giannis and his own words.

It most certainly would be labelled racist if a white guy did it. It's what white nationalist types keep repeating en masse about people about the children of immigrants. That they can't ever be fully integrated into their society and should either be segregated or kicked out.

Insinuating that Giannis, who was born in Greece, raised in Greece, speaks fluent Greek, represents the Greek National Team and has never denounced his Greekness whatsoever (recognizing his Nigerian roots isn't that) is not Greek mirrors that talking point. Unsurprisingly, far-right outlets in Greece have picked up on Ujiri's statements to say "See! That's what we've been saying all along."

You mean like every time a white American is asked where is your family from or what's your heritage and they don't say American but they say Ireland/Italy/Poland etc.? That's racist? Because it's exactly the same thing. And its because Giannis himself has said he's Nigerian. Not to downplay Greece, but so as to not to completely ignore his heritage. Just like every European answers in the US. You can make this what you want, but it's all bull sht.

If Giannis said it would be a separate issue. Masai is not Giannis.

Masai can be proud of Giannis heritage/background without speaking for him and trying to wipe out his greek nationality without the appearance of Giannis consent. To me it reminded when Americans call American born persons of spanish decent Mexican instead of American. It's ignorant regardless of Masai intentions.

Also a factual matter Masai is just wrong. Giannis was born in Athens he's greek whether he chooses to ignore that or give more weight to his family roots that is something for Giannis to decide not Masai.

Regardless when people call Giannis "The Greek freak" nothing more is meant by that other then it being a cool nickname. Masai is approaching the conversation from a place of ignorance (denying that Giannis is factually Greek) and starting something racial. I used to think Masai was a cool dude but not anymore

[GusT15]

Find the difference. Both are greeks.

I'll give it a shot!

Similarities:

-They were both born in Greece and are both Greeks.(Giannis is Nigerian-Greek)
-They both played in the NBA
-They have both been the best player in the Greek National team.
-They both have some kind of affiliation with both Olympiakos BC and Panathinaikos BC.

Differences:

-One is a guard the other is a forward.
-One failed in the NBA and was out of the league after a year and the other just won League MVP.
-One is really good at shooting 3s and the other...ehm...isn't?

[Nuntius]

Find the difference. Both are greeks.

I'll give it a shot!

Similarities:

-They were both born in Greece and are both Greeks.(Giannis is Nigerian-Greek)
-They both played in the NBA
-They have both been the best player in the Greek National team.
-They both have some kind of affiliation with both Olympiakos BC and Panathinaikos BC.

Differences:

-One is a guard the other is a forward.
-One failed in the NBA and was out of the league after a year and the other just won League MVP.
-One is really good at shooting 3s and the other...ehm...isn't?

To be fair, Spanoulis kinda sucked in shooting 3s in the NBA. He came over a bit too early, imo. He would be a much better fit in the 16-17 NBA than he was in the 06-07 NBA.

[Goudelock]

Since this thread:

1: Has little to do with basketball.

2: Is getting several posts reported as being off-topic or offensive.

I've locked it. If you wish to discuss a players' nationality, then please do so on the Current Affairs board.