(interbasket.net) -- With the NBA playoffs set to begin in a couple hours, Ibn would be remiss not to talk about the unprecedented competitive Western
Conference this year and the roles that international players are
having on every playoff-bound team. There is no less than 20
foreign-born players playing important roles on those eight teams.
Interbasket will break down each team's international player and how
important they are to their team's success.
1. Los Angeles Lakers Key Rotation Players: Pau Gasol, Ronny Turiaf, Vladimir Radmanovic, Sasha Vujacic International Importance: 8.5/10 Notes: The Lakers have the most players in their likely playoff
rotation with four and the newest one, Pau Gasol, has arguably been the
most important player for the Lakers since being stolen from Memphis.
The Lakers went from being serious pretenders to contenders with the
late-season addition of the Spanish Superstar and World Champion.
Vladmir Radmanovic starts for the Lakers because he has the
potential to become a game-changer with his outside shot, the problem
is the 6-10 Radman isn't very consistent with his play. If Radmanovic
isn't breaking his leg in skiing accidents and lying about it, he can
be a game-changer for Los Angeles.
I'm convinced that Ronny Turiaf is posed to make a splash in this
year's playoffs. With his energy, all-out hustle, defense (he led the
team in blocks with 1.4 a game), and with opposing teams focusing on
other players -- Turiaf is going to that X-factor player that everyone
talks about this time of year.
What a difference a year makes. The former-baby-faced Slovenian has
longer hair, facial hair, and grown up this year for the Lakers -
bringing consistency and competitiveness off the bench. Sasha Vujacic
is the sniper that the Lakers need, is showing feistiness on defense
while leading the Lakers in three-point shooting percentage (43.7).
2. New orleans Hornets
Key Rotation Players: Peja Stojakovic International Importance: 5/10 Notes: Peja not only brings his well-known three-point shooting,
but also brings the most playoff experience to the inexperienced
Hornets. Peja's range keeps the middle open for Chris Paul, David West
and Tyson Chandler to manuever inside.
I'm hoping Peja can help the Hornets advance and have a better
playoff showing that his last couple years in Sacramento. Peja's always
been a better second or third option player, and with Chris Paul
dancing around the paint and the threat of David West, Peja is free to
roam the arc for open shots.
3. San Antonio Spurs
Key Rotation Players: Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto International Importance: 10/10 Notes: International players have always played a big role with
the championship Spurs teams, and with every year that Tim Duncan gets
older, the more the Spurs seem to rely on French point guard Tony
Parker and Argentine superstar Manu Ginobili, whom is arguably been
their best player this year. If the Spurs win it this season, it would
be surprising if Manu wasn't named the Finals MVP (he was ROBBED last
year).
And Manu has a good repoire with Fabricio Oberto, the Spur's
starting center and glue guy. The Argentine center clogs up the middle,
cleans up the messes and rolls to the hoop for easy baskets. Oberto is
sometimes the forgotten Spur, but that doesn't mean Fab isn't important
to their overall success.
4. Utah Jazz Key Rotation Players: Andrei Kirilenko, Memo Okur International Importance: 8/10 Notes: AK and Memo Okur are the #3 and #4 players for the Jazz
and their play is hugely important for the Utah Jazz to advance on
their progress from last year. As some of you may recall, Kirilenko
wasn't in the best place last season and Memo Okur couldn't find his
outside stroke in the playoffs despite earning a reputation for being a
big-time shooter. Kirilenko is playing this season as if last season
didn't happen, with renewed confidence. It's likely he got a shot of
adrenaline from leading Russia to the gold medal in the European
Championships (and the automatic bid to this years Olympics).
Okur was well on his way to becoming the best Turkish player in the
world before he lost his outside shot last season and before Hedo
Turkoglu found his career in Orlando. Okur has suggested that his down
year hasn't affected him, that he'll take the shots as they come. With
Carlos Boozer demanding double teams and Deron Williams passing the
ball, the Jazz are certainly hoping that Okur is on his game this
playoff season.
5. Houston Rockets Key Rotation Players: Luis Scola, Dikembe Mutombo International Importance: 7/10 Notes: When Yao Ming went down, every one thought that the Rockets would go down with the 7-6 Chinese center, but that hasn't been the
case. Not by a long shot. Houston definitely is more of a threat with
him in the lineup for the playoffs, but the team-based play and the
impending threat that Tracy McGrady
could go for 50 on any given night is what makes this current version
of the Rockets go. With that said, Mutombo, at age 57, is still
intimidating and blocking shots, while Scola's adapting to the NBA game
will help fuel the Rockets forward.
6. Phoenix Suns
Key Rotation Players: Steve Nash, Boris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa, Gordan Giricek International Importance: 10/10 Notes: Steve Nash by himself is a 10/10. The reigning MVP is
enough to say that international players really play important roles
for the Phoenix Suns, but we need to recognize the roles that
multi-talented small forward from France Boris Diaw, and power bench
players Leandro Barbosa and troubled Gordon Giricek play for the
revamped, re-Shaqed Phoenix Suns. Adding Giricek's shot-making ability
has made the Suns that much more dangerous, and his shooting will
become more important as Shaquille ONeal gets more comfortable in their
re-tooled offense.
7. Dallas Mavericks
Key Rotation Players: Dirk Nowitzki International Importance: 10/10 Notes: As the 7-0 German with the gimpy ankle goes, so goes the
playoff chances for the Dallas Mavericks. Enough Said. 10 out of 10.
It's going to be a ugly off-season filled with second-guessing if the
Mavs don't make it to at least game seven of the Western Conference
Finals.
8. Denver Nuggets Key Rotation Players: Linas Kleiza, Eduardo Najera, Nene International Importance: Notes: These three big guys cannot be more different from each
other and that's why they'll play important roles. Linas Kleiza has
become a surprisingly consistent offensive option coming off the bench
with his ability to not only shoot the three but put the ball down on
the floor and attack the basket with his 6-8, 255-pound frame.
Eduardo Najera really has created a great niche for himself. He's a
poor-man's jack of all trades and I don't mean that in a detrimental
manner. He plays defense, he rebounds, he gets on the floor, dribbles,
drives, and is efficient with his time. Najera has also added a
consistent three-point shot, the 6-7 Mexican forward has shot and made
more threes this season than in all of his seasons combined. his
newfound touch which will stretch the defense for Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony to work their offensive moves with more space to spare.
Nene is working his way back into the rotation after having a tumor
removed, but if the Brazilian power player can get into game shape, the
Nuggets will be in good shape on the inside. Even if Nene can give
10-15 minutes of smart play, strong defense and throwing his weight
around, the Denver interior will be fortified and that much more ready
for a rugged playoff run. The Nuggets will need his strength to
counter Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom in the first round.
What about the East? This isn't the case in the East where
the amount of international players in key roles can be counted on one
hand and two fingers - Hedo Turkoglu, Jose Manuel Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Anderson VarejaoSasha Pavlovic, Carlos Arroyo, and Andrea Bargnani.
And none of those players are the true, unquestioned leaders that the
West has in Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki. Hedo Turkoglu plays a key
role in Orlando, and Calderon runs the Toronto team, but the rest of
those guys are solely role players. Teams like Washington (Darius
Songaila), Boston, Detroit (Walter Herrmann), and Atlanta (Zaza
Pachulia) have international players, but none of them play a
significant enough role.
( interbasket.net ) - With the start of the 2007-08 NBA season upon us, I’m sure David Stern has taken notice of a pattern from this off-season. I’m not talking about perennial Kobe Bryant drama or the KG trade, this involves names that aren’t all household names, but the direction of the moves are making the NBA Commissioner a little more than uneasy.
This 2007 summer has seen a number of players who have either left the NBA for leagues in Europe or have used the European leagues as leverage in their contract negotiations. Every day we come closer to the start of NBA training camps, and NBA heads should pay close attention to several situations that have already past and more importantly, to the outstanding issues that have yet to be resolved.
Vasillis Spanoulis, the little-used Greek guard that was pivotal in defeating Team USA at the 2006 World Championships and a benchwarmer for the Houston Rockets last season, has already decided he would rather return to Panathinaikos of the Greek league rather that ride the bench for another team in Texas - the San Antonio Spurs (the team he was traded to).NBa and the Euroleague
Not that big of news right? I agree. In of itself, it’s another case of Arvydas Macijauskas, a player that will be easily forgotten in the US. Though Macijauskas is a huge star in Europe, he never gained any traction in the NBA as the Lithuanian sharpshooter rode the bench for New Orleans during the 05-06 season. Macas, as he is known, chose to return to Europe after that one season. He chose more playing time rather than earning his time in the NBA. It makes more sense. It’s a matter of what’s best for the player in the short-term. That’s more than likely how Spanoulis will be remembered.
However in early September, Sarunas Jasikevicius, the Lithuanian guard that led his home-country Lithuania qualify for the 2008 Olympics, asked the Golden State Warriors to release or trade him. The Warriors chose the former and waived Jasikevicius.
Since then, the European superstar has returned to the Euroleague and hasn’t missed a step, joining Spanoulis in Panathinaikos backcourt. Again, nothing earth-shattering, but Jasikevicius was one of the many international players that had a reputation in the NBA. If Sarunas had stayed, he could have found a job in the NBA - there are several NBA teams looking for an experienced leader on the floor and a proven winner.
At this point, you may be asking yourself “What are you getting at?”
Add Sasha Pavlovic to the mix. The guard-forward who had a breakout last season with Cleveland cannot come to terms with the Cavs on his contract extension. If the two sides don’t get any closer to signing a contract, Pavlovic and his agent have made it clear that they are ready to do more than just entertain talks with European teams that are interested in the Serbian’s services. As of this post, Pavlovic has missed every one of Cleveland’s preseason games.
Then there’s the case of Andrei Kirilenko, who led Russia to a gold medal at this year’s Eurobasket. The Eurobasket MVP announced through a Russian blog that he is willing to drop the remaining amount of his $63m contract and head back to Europe rather than returning to Salt Lake City to endure another season of Jerry Sloan. The former NBA all-star was explicit and adamant about his position and AK can certainly play anywhere in the world. AK has since been tight-lipped and is participating in Utah’s summer leagues and camp.
If it was only Spanoulis and Jasikevicius leaving, many would simplify the moves as frustrated Europeans unable to make it in the NBA. However, if an up-and-coming player like Pavlovic and former NBA All-Star Kirilenko decides to head home to play, I believe that signifies a trend that would immediately dilute the NBA talent pool and give rise to a competing league.
Just a five-six years ago, no one would believe that an
international player returning home would dilute NBA talent. In fact it
was more likely that they would believe it would actually enhance the
NBA’s talent pool. Back then, it was arguable. Now, however, is a
different era and the same xenophobic attitude will get you laughed out
of serious basketball conversations.
With the influx of international superstars into the NBA (Nowitzki,
Yao Ming, Manu Ginobili, Steve Nash), national teams from around the
world defeating the US in international competitions becoming less
jaw-dropping. And some of the top-European clubs defeating NBA teams in
friendly matches (Maccabi Tel Aviv defeating the Toronto Raptors (2005), FC Barcelona topping the Philadelphia 76ers (2006), and CSKA Moscow defeating the LA Clippers (2006)), there is no doubt that basketball is on more equal footing globally.
And that balance is especially apparent in the European leagues where the development and talent is second only to the NBA.
Though the best outside the USA, European leagues were historically
where older NBA players would see their last playing days out. They
were leagues for players no longer ready for prime-time or players
whose NBA careers never even began. Players that fell under these
categories included the likes of former UCLA-star Tyus Edney, Dominique Wilkins, Bob McAdoo, Toronto Raptor Anthony Parker, Louis Bullock, Scoonie Penn, and Trajan Langdon.
And it wasn’t only because the talent wasn’t strong in Europe, it
was also because the money wasn’t comparable nor as stable in Europe.
With the shrinking dollar against the Euro and the rising popularity of
basketball globally, that barrier isn’t nearly as obvious any longer.
And that is most apparent in the rumor reported by the Detroit Free
Press recently - Chris Webber has been offered a two-year contract by
Greek club Olympiakos for reportedly $10-12m/season. Not chump change
by any standard. If true, it would make Chris Webber the highest-paid
American player in Europe EVER. (Webber has sinced turned the offer
down)
It seems as if the scales may be tipping a little more in favor of
the European leagues. If the aforementioned players leave, it could be
an epiphany for other players (and their agents) like Anderson Varejao from Brazil and other free agents yet to sign for the upcoming season.
And it’s not just the European players; it’s becoming an issue for
even American-born players. Just these last couple months, three NBA
players (including Webber) made waves by utilizing the Euroleagues as
leverage for their NBA negotiations.
Charlie Bell, a former Michigan State player and current Milwaukee
Buck, threatened to sign with Greek team Olympiakos in order to escape
the Bucks. Bell isn’t a superstar, but he did average a respectable
13.5 points, 3 rebs, 3 assts and 1.2 steals last year - some NBA team
definitely could use him. Now, I realize that could have been a ploy by
Bell to get the Bucks to release him from his contract (they didn’t,
they matched the offer sheet by the Miami Heat), but the fact that he
and his agent used Olympiakos as leverage shows that this isn’t your
father’s Euroleague anymore.
There is the case of Dee Brown, the former Illinois-star and
promising, young NBA player decided to leave the Utah Jazz in favor of
Turkish club Galatasaray. Dee Brown, a bench player last season, says
it’s only temporary and hopes to catch on with another NBA club next
year.
Sure Webber declined the offer from Greece, and Kirilenko is in the
same NBA jersey despite his threats, as is Charlie Bell. I also believe
that Pavlovic and Varejao are likely to sign with the Cavs, it’s just a
matter of when. Americans will forget the loss of Spanoulis and
Jasikevicius, but the soft line has been drawn this past off-season.
What was unthinkable 6-7 years ago has become status quo. The next
natural move is for more and more players to not just threaten to leave
the NBA, but to leave the NBA for the leagues in Europe....click here to finish the article
