By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Euroleague Basketball handed down a disciplinary sanction against Dimitris Giannakopoulos, the majority shareholder of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, on Friday. Following his behavior during Game 2 of a best-of-five series versus Valencia in the EuroLeague Playoffs, he was penalized with a fine of 10,000 euros and a prohibition from accessing the arenas for his side’s next three games.
In a conversation with Euro Insiders on Sunday, veteran guard Errick McCollum shared his perspective on the decision, arguing that the league’s response was disproportionate to the offense. “I think it’s too much,” underlined the 38-year-old guard.
Comparing the owner’s conduct to standard game-day intensity, he explained, “He’s behind the scorer’s table, and he’s asking for a foul. It’s no different than a coach or anybody else doing that.”
Last season’s EuroLeague champion with Fenerbahce Beko expressed concern that the duration of the ban was designed to keep the owner away from the 2025-26 season’s biggest stage.
“Three games are too much. And you’re purposely excluding him from the Final Four, because you know they’re going to finish this series in OAKA,” he added. “It’s almost like a punch in the face, because you know it’s in his city, his arena.”
The older brother of NBA star CJ McCollum also suggested a more flexible disciplinary approach. “If anything, maybe there should be some kind of appeal, and then he can go to the game, and then maybe this can continue next year, or maybe they can suspend him for the Valencia series or something,” he said.
He stressed that high-level investment from owners is what elevates the league. “He’s really a big part of the Euroleague Basketball,” he mentioned. “When you have these owners who are willing to invest in the players, the organization, and the money, raising a level.”
Concluding his thoughts, McCollum defended the raw nature of the European game.
“What makes Europe special? It’s the emotions. Everybody complains the NBA is a show, and this. How can you love and brag about the passion, the desire, the emotion, but then be upset when players and coaches, and presidents show said emotion? So, yes, we have to control it to an extent, but the passion and emotion are what make the project the best,” he said.
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