By George Efkarpides & Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
In recent times, more and more European players join the NBA and this year, a record-breaking 74 European players will be playing in the NBA.
The NBA has been attracted to international players, who seem to have unique talents, and are ready to conquer the basketball world.
Last season, many European players had dazzling campaigns with their respective teams. Others are considered to be ‘rising stars’ and players like Giannis Antetokounmpo have already established themselves as top-10 players in the league.
An exciting season is just around the corner and eurohoops.net has ranked the top 30 Europeans for the upcoming year.
The criteria for this year’s rankings are: The quality of the player, his role on the team and what is expected from him this upcoming season. Moreover, the playing time we anticipate he will get by his coach in combination with what he has been able to achieve in his NBA career so far.
Here are the picks from 30 to 21.
20. Danilo Gallinari (Denver Nuggets / Italy)
Year of Birth: 1988
Height: 208cm (6-10)
Position: F
Danilo Gallinari is coming off a great season with the Denver Nuggets. In a year where he played 63 games, ‘Galo’ led the Nuggets in scoring with 18.2 points per game on 44.7% shooting from the field and an impressive 90.2% from the free-throw line. This off-season he was traded to Los Angeles to play for the Clippers, next to Milos Teodosic, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. His health will be a major question mark moving forward, but if he is healthy he could play an important role on the offensive end as he is able to shoot the three and post-up with the same ease. The team’s goal is to make the playoffs and the combination of these four guys under coach Doc Rivers’ is something that will be crucial this upcoming NBA season.
19. Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs/ France)
Year of Birth: 1982
Height: 188cm (6-2)
Position: PG
A member of the NBA “holy trinity” of European basketball alongside Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki, the first step for the French legend in the upcoming season will be to be healthy again.
Age is a factor for everyone and Parker is not the player he used to be. However, this doesn’t mean that he is not a star and a key member of the San Antonio Spurs. The main question is when he will be ready to go and if he will be his usual self. So far the reports from Texas are optimistic. With that being said his last season’s numbers were the worst since his rookie year (10.1 ppg, 4,5 apg) back in 2001.
He remains an icon not only for France but also for the Spurs, since he was part of their build up to a powerhouse and a champ. He can be a factor, especially in the playoffs, due to his experience and that’s what the Spurs are expecting from him to give.
- Jusuf Nurkic (Portland Trail Blazers / Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Year of Birth: 1994
Height: 211cm (6-11)
Position: C
Nurkic’s trade from Denver to Portland last year, re-birthed the 23-year old center who was a pleasant surprise and impressed the NBA during his days with the Blazers. Playing twenty out of the last twenty-seven games of the season last year, Nurkic averaged 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds per game, helping the Blazers go 14-6. His presence was a boost on both ends of the court as he scored both in the low post and as well as outside the paint. The 23-year old center was also a force on defense, (1.9 blocks, 1.3 steals) something the team had lacked in his absence as they were one of the worst defensive teams in the league.
Alongside Damian Lillard and C.J McCollum, the Blazers want to reach higher marks this year, and with a healthy Nurkic, they can compete for a spot in a packed Western Conference. His presence on defense and his big and strong body on offense will help Lillard and McCollum with their spacing, their shooting and their drives to the basket; he will be a crucial player for the team’s success this year.
- Marcin Gortat (Washington Wizards / Poland)
Year of Birth: 1984
Height: 211cm (6-11)
Position: C
A double-double machine; Marcin Gortat is at our #17 heading into this season. His presence is felt on both ends of the court as he is a strong body with excellent rebounding positioning. A big man that runs the court fairly well, something John Wall takes full advantage of, Gortat is a key piece to a Wizards squad that hopes to go deep in the playoffs this season. Year after year, the 33-year old is showcasing his experience, basketball IQ and finds ways to help his team win games whether it’s tip-ins, blocks or simply generating extra possessions. Last season, the Wizards were one game away from competing in the Eastern Conference Finals and this year their goal is to do what they did not accomplish last year.
Moreover, Gortat’s role on the offensive end does not always show up on the stat sheet. The “polish hammer”, is superb at setting screens for his all-star guards and is a great finisher at the rim. He has established himself as a double-double center (10.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG) who is more than capable of starting for a great Washington team. This summer, he did not play for his national team in the EuroBasket.
- Ricky Rubio (Utah Jazz / Spain)
Year of Birth: 1990
Height: 193cm (6-4)
Position: G
Coming off a fairly good season last year with the Minnesota Timberwolves but failing to make the playoffs, Rubio is ready to take on another challenge in his career and lead the Utah Jazz alongside Rudy Gobert to the playoffs. After Gordon Hayward’s departure (signed with Boston) and George Hill’s exit (Sacramento), Rubio will have an important role on the team under coach Snyder. He will be leading this team, making everyone around him better, finding Rudy Gobert for easy dunks, hooks and layups inside the paint but also will have to find ways to score and improve his shot as the Jazz will need offensive weapons this season. The Jazz were an excellent defensive team last year ranking first on OPPG but they were fairly mediocre on the offensive end. Now, without their all-star, Gordon Hayward, other guys will have to step up and Rubio has to be one of them.
In the EuroBasket, he averaged 9.4 points and 4.9 assists per game and played a great part in the team’s success to win the bronze medal. He remains one of the best European players in the NBA and this is why he is our #16.
- Serge Ibaka (Toronto Raptors / Spain)
Year of Birth: 1989
Height: 208cm (6-10)
Position: F
Ibaka who had never left Oklahoma City was traded twice last season. In Toronto, he found a system that fits him well as they needed shooting from the power forward position. He has seen his block numbers reduce but being able to knock-down the 3 with consistency still qualifies him as a top power forward in this league. In the 23 games, he played with the Raptors last season he averaged 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Toronto should easily make the playoffs and if they are to take that extra step, Ibaka will definitely need to step up his game.
Serge did not participate in this years Eurobasket as he did not want to risk a potential injury. He will be a free-agent and is expected to sign a lucrative contract.
In the 23 games, he played with the Raptors last season he averaged 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
- Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks / Germany)
Year of Birth: 1978
Height: 213cm (7-0)
Position: F/C
Dirk Nowitzki could very well have been atop of this list only due to his achievements. The reason he his so low is because age has got to him. Still, last season, he appeared in 54 games and 14.2 points and 6.5 rebounds in just 26.4 minutes.
Nowitzki took another significant “pay-cut” to help his team sign players and has continuously said that he will do anything necessary for the Mavs’ future. Entering his 20th season, Dirk will most likely break the record for most seasons spent with a single franchise. He will probably add a few more milestones in the process. He needs 1159 points to pass Wilt Chamberlain for 5th place in the all-time leading scorers list and if he can stay healthy, he might be able to amount that this season.
- Evan Fournier (Orlando Magic / France)
Year of Birth: 1992
Height: 201cm (6-7)
Position: G
When the Orlando Magic traded Victor Oladipo and signed Fournier to a 4-year deal they envisioned him as their no1 option on offense. Unfortunately, the Frenchman dealt with a series of injuries last season that didn’t let him get into any sort of rhythm. He still managed to post decent numbers with averages of 17.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists, which were all career highs. The Magic are in rebuilding mode and Fournier clearly has the green light from coach Frank Vogel.
He did play in this years Eurobasket 15.8 points, 2.3 boards and 1.7 assists but couldn’t help his team advance to the quarter-finals. In a weakened Eastern Conference, “Fourny” has a chance to be an all-star this season.
- Dario Saric (Philadelphia Sixers / Croatia)
Year of Birth: 1994
Height: 208cm (6-10)
Position: F
“The homie” has quickly become a fan favorite in Philly and was one of Brett Browns go-to guys down the stretch with Embiid out. Saric may have never lived up to the expectations while playing in Europe but the NBA has certainly fit him well. As a rookie, he averaged 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
He came in 2nd in the rookie of the year voting and quickly gained recognition around the league mostly due to his ability to play the 3 and the 4 with the same ease. During this years Eurobasket Saric led Croatia to the knockout round but couldn’t take his team any further. Although he might come off the bench this year, Saric will still see touches on offense and may be asked to close out games, especially if his team needs scoring.
- Nicolas Batum (Charlotte Hornets / France)
Year of Birth: 1988
Height: 203cm (6-8)
Position: F
Nicola Batum had himself quite a year for the Charlotte Hornets contributing in the three major statistical categories while playing both swing positions. He averaged 15.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists although his team couldn’t reach the playoffs as they were plagued by injuries, especially in the center position.
The Frenchman did not participate in this years Eurobasket but has answered the call of his country when asked to do so in the past. Although he will remain sidelined to start the season, Batum is still in his prime and is a very valuable asset to the Hornets. In order for his team to make the playoffs, their French swingman must have a stellar year.