ΝΒΑ Euros ready to go!

By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net

Basketball is a global game and once again this is proved by numbers. A total of 101 non US players are part of the NBA, 57 of them coming from Europe, or 60 if you also count Greek Americans Nick Calathes and Kostas Koufos and also Joakim Noah who strange as it seems is not part of the list, because he was also born in the States.

Here’s the official list of the NBA for European players whose names or on the opening night rosters of the 30 NBA franchises, with France having the record among European countries with 10 NBA players.

It’s obvious that they holy trinity of stars, Tony Parker of the Spurs, Dirki Nowitzki of the Mavs and Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls are still above competition, with the duo of Bulls’ Joakim Noah and Memphis’ Mark Gasol being the next big names.

However this season’s European rookies are more than intriguing and Eurohoops presents them to you.

Jusuf Nurkic – Denver Nuggets

He had a break out season with Cedevita, he was drafted and he is the best big man project from Europe among rookies. If you want to compare him with someone, try Nikola Pekovic. Nurkic can do real damage in the post, scoring any possible way and also he has the potential to be much better than Peko in the defensive end. He may end being a steal for Denver, after being drafted in number 16 by Chicago and then traded.

Bojan Bogdanovic – Brooklyn Nets

He is a sharp shooter and that’s how he will start gaining minutes in the NBA, but he has a much more complete game. The only question which surrounds him is how the other parts of his game will translate after leaving Europe, specially with Fenerbahce/ Ulker deciding not to make a run to keep him, despite having mid-season extension negotiations.

Damian Rudez – Indiana Pacers

He was a power forward in Europe, but in the NBA he may have to move to the small forward position. He is a player similar in style with Gigi Datome and his shooting touch may be ideal in order to be used as a stretch four by his new team. Like his fellow Croatian Bogdanovic, his calling cart will be threes.

Damien Inglis – Milwaukee Bucks

Baby Lebron? It may seems like blasphemy, specially since in his age Lebron James was also a complete NBA player, but the 19 years old Frenchman has a body to much his reputation. His game is still the big question mark, however behind the spotlight which will be focused on Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo, he can work and surprise us.

Kostas Papanikolaou – Houston

A team time Euroleague champion, a Euroleague rising star award winner and a player eager to prove himself in the NBA stage. So far Kostas Papanikolaou have succeeded in every situation he was thrown to and he already made some noise in preseason. He will get the chance to be a real contributor in Houston with his all around skills.

Nikola Mirotic – Chicago

The Bulls tried very hard to get him during last season, he was for a long time part of their plans and he is probably the most NBA ready European among the new faces. A starter in Real Madrid, a great shooter with great size and Yugoslavian basketball genes, despite his Spanish passport. He has the compete package.

Zoran Dragic – Phoenix

The younger brother of Goran is a last minute addition and like his brother, has an uptempo game which fits the Suns. If your question is if he can play in the NBA, just watch some videos of him cooperating with Goran in the Slovenian national team and the answer would be positive.

Clint Capela – Houston

His improvement last season earned him the rising star of the French league award and also the most improved player award. It’s not a small feat, but 20 years old Capela is still a work in project.  His size and physical tools make him NBA material, but he is not yet ready to be a solid contributor.