By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
It’s no longer a secret, European players are more than able to compete in the highest level, at the NBA Playoffs. Eleven of them have displayed their postseason touch more than others launching themselves to the top of the list of the European players with the most points in the NBA Playoffs. Eurohoops takes a look back on their achievements.
Tony Parker
Playoffs campaigns: 17
Points: 4,045 (17.9 ppg)
The only European player over the 4,000-points mark in the NBA Playoffs is Tony Parker. He retired this year flourished with 17 postseason runs, all with the San Antonio Spurs between 2002 and 2018. He played a total of 226 Playoffs matches and averaged over 20 points in six seasons. However, he will gladly put his impressive scoring stats aside to remember his four trips to the very top of the NBA in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. There is no direct threat for his first place in our list.
Dirk Nowitzki
Playoffs campaigns: 15
Points: 3,663 (25.3 ppg)
Similar to Parker, Dirk Nowitzki played in the NBA Playoffs for one single team, based in Texas as well, not the Spurs but the Dallas Mavericks. He led his side to the postseason fifteen times always averaging at least 19 points per contest. Nowitzki wrapped up his career with 145 Playoffs games under his belt including his 21 appearances in 2011 with 27,7 points per match, good enough for his lone NBA Championship.
Pau Gasol
Playoffs campaigns: 12
Points: 2,098 (15.4 ppg)
Third place belongs to Pau Gasol. He played in the Playoffs with four different teams, but six out of his 12 runs were with the Los Angeles Lakers including the back-to-back NBA Championships in 2009 and 2010. He debuted with the Memphis Grizzlies and after the Lakers added postseason experience with the Chicago Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs. He is the top active player of our list, but well behind Parker’s and Nowitzki’s scoring totals.