By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Fifteen out of the 16 teams ready for action in the 2022 NBA Playoffs carry at least one European player. Most of them heavily rely on assets from the Old Continent seeking to extend their runs as contenders for the NBA championship. A total of 17 European countries are represented.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, besides just naming a couple of standouts expected to leave their marks on the postseason, combine as the last three season MVP awards, while the Greek Freak was the 2021 NBA Finals MVP for the defending champions, Milwaukee Bucks.
Eurohoops listed all European players in the Playoffs by country. With five players remaining active following the Regular Season and the Play-Ins, France sits on top.
FRANCE
Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (Atlanta Hawks), Frank Ntilikina (Dallas Mavericks), Yves Pons (Memphis Grizzlies), Killian Tillie (Memphis Grizzlies)
The five-player field is highlighted by Rudy Gobert, considering his important role in the Utah Jazz, the fifth seed of the Western Conference. The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year will have his hands full straight away dealing with the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic.
SERBIA
Nemanja Bjelica (Golden State Warriors), Bogdan Bogdanovic (Atlanta Hawks), Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), Boban Marjanovic (Dallas Mavericks)
The reigning NBA MVP and the Denver Nuggets will be taking on the Golden State Warriors and Nemanja Bjelica in the first round. A last-minute addition to the Serbian back was Bogdan Bogdanovic as the Atlanta Hawks clinched a Playoffs berth via the Play-Ins.
SPAIN
Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies), Juancho Hernangomez (Utah Jazz), Willy Hernangomez (New Orleans Pelicans), Serge Ibaka (Milwaukee Bucks)
What do two brothers, a rookie, and a former NBA champion have in common? They represent Spain in the Playoffs, from Juancho and Willy Hernangomez to Santi Aldama and Congolese-Spanish Serge Ibaka.
GERMANY
Isaac Bonga (Toronto Raptors), Maxi Kleber (Dallas Mavericks), Daniel Theis (Boston Celtics)
A couple of undervalued assets for the Mavs and Boston Celtics are included in the list of German players, Maxi Kleber and Daniel Theis, respectively. Seldom used Isaac Bonga jumps in as a member of the Toronto Raptors.
SLOVENIA
Vlatko Cancar (Denver Nuggets), Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks), Goran Dragic (Brooklyn Nets)
Really can’t look beyond Doncic on the Slovenia list. He is expected to miss Game 1 of the best-of-seven series opposite the Jazz but is likely to recover his role as the Dallas leader.
CROATIA
Bojan Bogdanovic (Utah Jazz), Dario Saric (Phoenix Suns)
Another European involved in the series between the Mavericks and the Jazz is Bojan Bogdanovic, namely the threat he poses from beyond the arc. Compatriot Dario Saric is expected to stay on the Phoenix Suns‘ injury list through the postseason.
GREECE
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
After earning the third seed in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks and Giannis will be seeking a back-to-back championship. The Greek Freak’s brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo as well.
MONTENEGRO
Marko Simonovic (Chicago Bulls), Nikola Vucevic (Chicago Bulls)
From the Greek Bucks to the Montenegrin Chicago Bulls. Key player Nikola Vucevic and youngster Marko Simonovic are matched up against Milwaukee in the first round of the Playoffs.
TURKEY
Furkan Korkmaz (Philadelphia 76ers), Omer Yurtseven (Miami Heat)
Deep in the rotation of the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat, Turkish compatriots Furkan Korkmaz and Omer Yurtseven will be looking to be ready to help their sides.
DENMARK
Gabriel Lundberg (Phoenix Suns)
A recent addition to the Suns, Gabriel Lundberg can become the first Danish player to log minutes in the NBA Playoffs.
GEORGIA
Sandro Mamukelashvili (Milwaukee Bucks)
Besides the Antetokounmpos, the Bucks also feature rookie Sandro Mamukelashvili. The Georgian forward played in 41 games of the Regular Season.
ITALY
Danilo Gallinari (Atlanta Hawks)
Italy made the cut after the Hawks punched in the ticket to the Playoffs. Danilo Gallinari is now heading for his sixth postseason campaign.
LATVIA
Davis Bertans (Dallas Mavericks)
Following runs as a member of the San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards, Latvia’s Davis Bertans reached the Playoffs as a midseason addition to the Mavericks.
LITHUANIA
Jonas Valanciunas (New Orleans Pelicans)
The New Orleans Pelicans capturing the eighth seed of the Western Conference via the Play-Ins added Jonas Valanciunas and Lithuania to the list.
SWITZERLAND
Clint Capela (Atlanta Hawks)
Back to the Hawks, Clint Capela suffered a right knee injury in the playoff-clinching victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers but entered Switzerland.
UKRAINE
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (Toronto Raptors)
Ukraine’s Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk enriches the European flavor of the Raptors. He will be heading to the playoffs for the first time in his career.
UNITED KINGDOM
OG Anunoby (Toronto Raptors)
London-born OG Anunoby was limited to 48 appearances in the Regular Season but is healthy heading to his third postseason campaign with Toronto.
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