By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
The NBA playoffs are here. The 16 best teams of the two conferences will compete, starting on Saturday (14/04) for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, and European players are a huge part of it.
In all 16 teams, there is at least one international player and this year, a record number of 62 international players (36 from Europe) will play in the 2018 NBA playoffs.
Moreover, Eurohoops presents the European player who is expected to have the bigger possible impact on each playoff team, starting with the Eastern Conference and the #1 seeded Toronto Raptors.
Eastern Conference
#1. Toronto Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas
- Country: Lithuania
- Stats: 12.7 PPG, 8.6 RPG
Playing for the best team in the Eastern Conference, the #1 seeded Toronto Raptors, Jonas Valanciunas is leading this team in rebounds. His presence down low affects the game positively, especially on the offensive side of the court. He can score from the post, from the free-throw line (80%), but occasionally he can also hit the three-pointer (40.5%).
The Raptors want to challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East and go as deep as they can in the playoffs. Their journey starts on Saturday (14/04) when they host the Wizards in Game 1.
*The Toronto Raptors will face the Washington Wizards in the first round of the playoffs.
#2. Boston Celtics: Guerschon Yabusele
- Country: France
- Stats: 2.4 PPG, 1.6 RPG
Daniel Theis should have been here, but he is injured. That’s why Yabusele is included. The French big man is not a player you can expect to make a real difference on the court, however, considering the injury woes of the Celtics, he might be able to provide a spark off the bench, specially on defense.
*The Boston Celtics will face the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs.
#3. Philadelphia 76ers: Dario Saric
- Country: Croatia
- Stats: 14.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG
Dario Saric is having a great sophomore year for the Philadelphia 76ers in what has been a tremendous season for Philly’s team. The Sixers finished the season in the third position with an impressive 52-30 record. Heading into the playoffs, Brett Brown’s squad has won 16 straight games, and ‘the homie’ has been a big factor in this success. The 24-year old forward finished the year averaging 14.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
*The Sixers will face the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.
#4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Cedi Osman
- Country: Turkey
- Stats: 3.9 PPG, 2.0 RPG
Cedi Osman started the year playing limited minutes, but he has worked his way into becoming a starter for a handful of games, while also being very useful for Lue’s team. In his first NBA start, Osman scored 16 points against the Atlanta Hawks, while against the New York Knicks he finished with a career-high 18 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. He has been an exciting surprise this season for the Cavs averaging 3.9 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest. He is also the fan favorite and that’s what made a differense in the choice between him and respected veteran Jose Manuel Calderon.
*The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs.
#5. Indiana Pacers: Domantas Sabonis
- Country: Lithuania
- Stats: 11.6 PPg, 7.7 RPG
The second-year man is playing well for the #5 seeded Indiana Pacers. He is averaging 11.6 points (51.4% FG) and 7.7 rebounds per game, putting his name into the most improved player of the year debate. Against the Charlotte Hornets, the 21-year old power forward posted a career-high of 30 points.
In his rookie year with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he only played in two playoff games, but this year with the Pacers he will have a more critical role in the challenge to take down LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
*The Indiana Pacers will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs.
#6. Miami Heat: Goran Dragic
- Country: Slovenia
- Stats: 17.3 PPG, 4.8APG
After winning the EuroBasket gold medal in Turkey, Goran Dragic had said that he wants to win the NBA championship with the Miami Heat. Back in February, the 30-year old guard became for the first time in his career an All-Star and as he said that he is going to tell his grandchildren about this weekend. For the year, Dragic averaged 17.3 points and 4.8 assists per game and is ready for the playoffs.
*The Miami Heat will face the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs.
#7. Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Country: Greece
- Stats: 26.9 PPG, 10.0 RPG
After winning the Most Improved Player of the Year award back in 2017, the ‘Greek Freak’ has been on another mission this year. Leading the Milwaukee Bucks to the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference, Giannis filled up the stat sheet this year with 26.9 points (52.9% FG), 10.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.
Antetokounmpo has never been to the second round of the playoffs and this year he wants to change that.
*The Milwaukee Bucks will face the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.