Only 1 NBA team didn't scout Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Knicks

Documentary reveals every NBA club but the Knicks visited Greece before 2013 NBA Draft

2/13/2019, 10:43 PM

Once DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony provided the world a glimpse at Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2013, NBA teams which previously either weren't aware of "The Greek Freak" or didn't think much of him as a prospect were suddenly descending on Greece in droves. People from all levels of nearly every NBA front office were getting an up-close look at Antetokounmpo.

Only one team didn't make the trip, and it was none other than the Knicks, the revelation only making the sad-sack franchise look worse.

According to Giorgos Panou of Octagon Basketball Europe, the Knicks were the only club to not send anyone on a scouting trip to Greece to evaluate Antetokounmpo. Panou revealed this in a teaser clip for TNT's upcoming documentary "Finding Giannis."

"Every day -- at practice, at games -- executives, GMs, assistant coaches, every team came. 29 teams except the Knicks, New York Knicks," Panou said.

At the time Antetokounmpo was a raw prospect and was thought to need years to get stronger and assimilate to the NBA style. But every team except the Knicks saw enough promise to at least do due diligence.

Antetokounmpo is now a potential MVP with Milwaukee, which selected him No. 15 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. The Knicks' pick wasn't until No. 24, when they selected Tim Hardaway Jr.

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