By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Plenty of stars coming in from Europe and highlighting the growing international presence in the NBA, they spread across the league to constantly increase difficulty in any kind of ranking lists.
The continent’s Big Three stretching from Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo to Luka Doncic, somewhat unconventionally linked to the term Big Three, anyway became unstable. Domantas Sabonis and Lauri Markkanen demanded more attention over the 2022-23 season.
Paolo Banchero is likely to soon emerge as an additional threat. On a possibly related note, let’s not start just yet with Victor Wembanyama, widely expected to be selected first overall in the 2023 draft and a likely candidate for future Top 10 lists.
With the Playoffs in full swing, Eurohoops brings back the Top 10 European players ranking according to player status combined with the W-L tally of respective teams. Scrolling down will present the selections.
1. Nikola Jokic (Serbia – Denver Nuggets)
Named MVP of the two previous seasons, the Joker is delivering yet another brilliant campaign leading the Denver Nuggets across all major stats.
Jokic, 28, might fall short of a third MVP in a row but seems even more comfortable on the court, nearly averaged a triple-double in the Regular Season, and mastered playing winning basketball. His side topped the Western Conference for many reasons, most attached to Serbia’s own generational talent. Much more can be noted but are not necessary in justifying starting the list from here.
On an additional note, the Nuggets are getting ready to face the Phoenix Suns in the Quarterfinals of the Playoffs.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece – Milwaukee Bucks)
The unexpected first-round exit of the Milwaukee Bucks is pretty fresh. Failure or not, the Freak must have expected a deeper run, and so did most fans. However, the extra rest can come in handy for Giannis and the Greek national team heading to the FIBA World Cup in late August.
Antetokounmpo, 28, averaged a career-best 31.1 points per game over 63 appearances in the Regular Season. Missing large chunks of the five games against the Miami Heat in the Playoffs slowed down the Bucks. Taking into account his overall contribution and the league-high 58 wins in the Regular Season, he can’t go lower than second in our Top 10.
What will happen next season? It really can’t get much worse, so look out for Giannis potentially climbing back up the list.
3. Domantas Sabonis (Lithuania – Sacramento Kings)
Let’s be honest. Most expected the Sacramento Kings to maybe battle for a playoff berth, not end up third in the West. Trading for the Lithuanian big midway through the 2021-22 season made wonders for both the franchise and the player himself.
Sabonis, 26, was second behind De’Aaron Fox for most points per game in the Regular Season by a Kings player, but was first in both rebounds and assists per game. Without further spoiling which player landed in the fourth spot, such a boost to the overachieving Kings earned third place with little to no doubt.
Facing elimination in Game 6 of the first-round series versus the Golden State Warriors tonight (29/4, 02:00 CET), rushing to rule out Sabonis and company would be a mistake. Actually being knocked out, won’t stop the beam to keep lighting up next season.
4. Luka Doncic (Slovenia – Dallas Mavericks)
So much European talent all over the place. An important note reaching the fourth player on the list.
Doncic, 24, poured a career-high 32.4 points per game but the Dallas Mavericks missed the postseason. The controversial ending to the 2022-23 season has been a topic of discussion. Far from nice, probably hurt the franchise more than the Slovenian sensation himself, especially considering a possible trade request and the players foremost controlling their own destiny in the league.
That being said, future editions of Top 10 can shape a totally different picture for a pretty young five-year NBA veteran with room for adjustments.
5. Lauri Markkanen (Finland – Utah Jazz)
The Most Improved Player would surely shoot higher if the Utah Jazz built on the impressive start to the 2022-23 Regular Season instead of settling outside of the postseason picture.
Markkanen, 25, switched to Salt Lake City via trade and represented the Jazz in the city’s All-Star Game. Besides being the top scorer, the Finnisher also led the team in rebounds per contest. A much better situation compared to the spells with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls.
Similar to all players ranking over him, he is expected to play in the approaching World Cup. Backing Finland to keep riding high as he did all the way to the Quarterfinals of the 2022 EuroBasket.
6. Paolo Banchero (Italy – Orlando Magic)
Staying on the theme of annual awards, here is the Rookie of the Year, previously the top pick of the 2022 draft. The Orlando Magic are not there yet, but the impressive package, including German sidekick Franz Wagner, will get stronger as exciting upstarts mature.
Banchero, 20, is the youngest player in the Top 10 but comfortably made the cut ending up in the sixth spot. Packing team-highs of 20.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per contest to go with 3.7 assists per game mark the strong start to his NBA career.
The Magic have not made the Playoffs since 2020 and have enjoyed only two postseason berths in the last eleven years, but will be back in the mix, as early as the 2024 Playoffs.