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.