By George Orfanakis / info@eurohoops.net
The format of the qualifiers has created many issues for the national teams but also the NBA players who, despite their given willingness, have also to have the blessing of their franchise in order to compete even in the offseason.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Jonas Valanciunas and many other stars will have to reschedule their appointment for the World Cup, where they are expected to return to their national teams.
There are, however, also those who will be reinforcing their countries in September’s qualifiers. Based on the facts we have so far, 18 NBA players will be present in the European “window,” while there were also 17 players in the games of June and July. Compared to the total of European NBA players, they are a minority and that makes the boost that they provide to their national teams more than valuable.
Eurohoops rounded up those players who we will enjoy watching, barring any unforeseen circumstances…
Dario Saric (Croatia – Philadelphia 76ers)
So what if he’s coming off a packed season of 88 games with the Sixers in the regular season and playoffs of the NBA? Dario Saric will represent the national team of Croatia, continuing an impressive streak of appearances with his country, as he hasn’t been absent from the summer of 2013 until today.
At 24, Saric has secured a starter’s position in the NBA and the national team, and he knows that he has a long and difficult season ahead of him. Despite that, Croatia will have him at their disposal, which means they are going to be highly competitive.
Bojan Bogdanovic (Croatia – Indiana Pacers)
Bojan Bogdanovic will be Croatia’s other big star to briefly set aside his commitments in the NBA in order to attend the World Cup qualifiers.
Like Saric, Bogdanovic is also coming off a season in which his commitments were many and tough. Actually, the charismatic scorer played in 87 games last season in the colors of the Pacers and was a benchmark in the team’s offense.
Ante Zizic (Croatia – Cleveland Cavaliers)
Up until a few months ago, the Cavaliers were one of the biggest favorites for the championship ring in the NBA. The departure of LeBron James, however, changes the situation. Cleveland is automatically transformed into one of the weakest teams in the East, which means that it’s possible Ante Zizic will get even more opportunities.
The challenge of the NBA, however, will have to wait, since the Croatian national team comes first. The 21-year-old center responded affirmatively to the call and in the next few weeks he will attend the team’s commitments ahead of the qualifiers.
Ivica Zubac (Croatia – Los Angeles Lakers)
There is plenty of talent on the Croatian team and there are several NBAers too! One of those players is Ivica Zubac, who counted 43 appearances last season in the colors of the Los Angeles Lakers and averaged 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds.
The numbers may not be impressive but we’re dealing with a player who is only 21 years old and whose career is still ahead of him. Zubac will reinforce Croatia in their effort to qualify for the World Cup and then fight for a spot on LeBron James’s Lakers.
Dennis Schroder (Germany – Oklahoma City Thunder)
Considering the fact that the one and only Dirk Nowitzki has retired from the national team, Dennis Schroder will be the biggest name to represent Germany in September’s qualifiers.
After all, we’re talking about an NBAer who averaged 19.6 points and 6.2 assists in 67 games in the colors of the Hawks, before continuing his career in the Thunder. Actually, the fact that, starting next season, Schroder will have a new role in Oklahoma, a team that’s a title contender, makes his presence on the national team even more important.
Maxi Kleber (Germany – Dallas Mavericks)
Maxi Kleber is an up and coming power forward/center who played in the NBA for the first time last season and did pretty well, as he averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 72 games and proved that, in the coming years, he will have an important role.
After Dennis Schroder, the Mavericks big man is the most important player for the Germans, who are in the same group as Greece and who managed to get through the previous phase undefeated.
Jusuf Nurkic (Bosnia – Portland Blazers)
Jusuf Nurkic’s progress in recent years has been huge and, as a result, he’s rightly considered among the very important NBAers that will be taking part in September’s qualifiers.
The 24-year-old was impressive with the Blazers last season, averaging 14.3 points and 9 rebounds, and his team has allowed him to play for his country. Automatically, Bosnia is on another level and can hope to snatch one of the spots that lead to the World Cup, despite the fact that they’re in the last place of their group.
Dzanan Musa (Bosnia – Brooklyn Nets)
The big star of Bosnian basketball was selected with the 29th overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets and he’s counting backward for the biggest step of his basketball career.
Despite that, this development will not prevent Dzanan Musa from taking part in the qualifiers to help his country get the best possible outcome. Perhaps another player would choose to protect himself, but the 19-year-old guard will join his compatriots in September’s “window.”
Nicolas Batum (France – Charlotte Hornets)
There’s no need for any special recommendations when it comes to Nicolas Batum. Tony Parker has retired, Rudy Gobert will not be joining Les Bleus and so the Hornets’ forward is the most important name from the NBA who will be representing the national team of France.
Of course, this will not be the first time, as Batum traditionally attends the big tournaments and has helped his country reach big successes.
The 29-year-old player is coming off a mediocre season for his standards with the Hornets. He played in 64 games with 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists, which are worse averages than he’s used to producing.
Alex Len (Ukraine – Phoenix Suns)
This is a development that can be characterized as… historic for the national team of Ukraine. Alex Len will represent his country in a competition for the first time since 2011, which was when he travelled to the USA to begin his college career.
At 25 years of age, Len already has 335 appearances in the NBA in the colors of the Phoenix Suns, but the new season will find him with the Atlanta Hawks. His place on a team that does not have high ambitions in the East should be regarded as a given and this may have played a role in the center’s decision to take part in the qualifiers.