By Cesare Milanti/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA is finally here, and Eurohoops ranks the Top 10 European NBA players of the 2022-2023 season. It’s not an easy task, even if the Top3 is not debatable and arguably dominates the NBA.
Europeans are not an oddity anymore, many of them are at least starters or solid role players, and the picking order is not that easy.
So, with the level of European players in the highest basketball competition in the world being so high, there is no shortage of honorable mentions that didn’t make the cut to the Top 10. These include injured Ricky Rubio (Cleveland Cavaliers), Jonas Valanciunas (New Orleans Pelicans), and the young guns Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic).
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
2021-22 numbers: 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists
The 2021-22 Milwaukee Bucks season ended in a 4-3 loss to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but Giannis Antetokounmpo had another dominating season. After a EuroBasket finish off the podium with Greece, the Greek Freak wants to put another NBA ring on his finger. He can do almost anything now and he knows how to do it very well. Add his thirst for victory, and it will be a long season for his opponents.
2. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
2021-22 numbers: 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists
Since the 1967-68 season, when the NBA was in the hands of Wilt Chamberlain, a player hasn’t been named MVP for three consecutive seasons. This year, Nikola Jokic has potentially the chance to engrave his name in the history of basketball. However, to do so and more importantly to win the title, he will need more support than the one shown by the Denver Nuggets in 2021-22.
3. Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
2021-22 numbers: 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.7 assists
The days when he was snubbed in the 2018 NBA Draft and picked behind Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley III, feel like centuries ago. Now, the awareness of him being the next potential ruler of the game for the next decade is more than a possibility. And if Dallas – strangely enough – is not predicted by NBA media to go all the way to the top, this could be the year of the definitive consecration of Luka Doncic as MVP.
4. Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves)
2021-22 numbers: 15.6 points, 14.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Did someone say Twin Towers? One of the bigs with the biggest offensive arsenal in the world like Karl-Anthony Towns paired with the 3x NBA Defensive Player of the Year. The Minnesota Timberwolves went all-in with Rudy Gobert, who left the Utah Jazz for the first time since 2013. An intriguing pair, hardly conceivable in the modern NBA, but that could bring benefits not predicted by anyone.
5. Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings)
2021-22 numbers: 18.9 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists
The 2022-23 Sacramento Kings hope that Keegan Murray will represent the light of their future after years of darkness. Meanwhile, the security in this roster is provided without any doubt by Domantas Sabonis. With the Indiana Pacers, he had proven on more than a few occasions to be one of the most reliable big men in the entire NBA. With a big offensive weight on his shoulders, he could be one of the top-scoring options for Mike Brown’s team on the court.
6. Kristaps Porzingis (Washington Wizards)
2021-22 numbers: 20.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists
After his failed experience with Luka Doncic at the Dallas Mavericks, Kristaps Porzingis took a leading role alongside Bradley Beal at the Washington Wizards. The Latvian big could finally find once again the brightness of his New York Knicks‘ early years even if the Wizards will have to fight just to get to the playoffs.
7. Nikola Vucevic (Chicago Bulls)
2021-22 numbers: 17.6 points, 11 rebounds, 3.2 assists
The Chicago Bulls were a pleasant surprise at the start of the 2021-22 NBA season, ending it with a 4-1 loss in the First Round against the Milwaukee Bucks. One of the pillars of this ride, along with the leader Demar DeRozan, was Nikola Vucevic, who for nine years was by far the most important player of the Orlando Magic. In a roster that added some pieces of experience, the Montenegrin big will have big responsibilities and crucial minutes under the basket.