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European players and the NBA: State of the puddle

January 13, 2009

Forty-eight Europeans among 432 NBA players: the 11%. This is a percentage everybody, including general managers talking about the superiority of US basketball, has to keep in mind. In 1990, there were six (0.8%) Europeans in the NBA; in 2000, there were 17 (2%). Since pioneers Drazen Petrovic and Arvidas Sabonis, now we have the honor of sending overseas some elements who represent their franchises’ cornerstones: Hedo Turkoglu, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki. Even more, trying to summarize their experiences, we can see increased roles, minutes, salaries. How can we explain this huge evolution?

Summarily, the situation first depends on the improved quality of our material, then on the repeated failures of Team USA at the last World Championships and Olympic Games (thanks God there were the best interpreters in Bejing, if still the wrong coach), that has the Americans thinking: “Hey, someone else besides us plays basketball.” You can state it emphatically: In Europe, we play great basketball. But let’s give order to our thoughts – sorry, our convictions.

The NBA Draft can help us in this way; so word to the numbers:

1980-1984: No European players drafted.
1985: Fernando Martin (2nd round); Georgi Glouchkov (7th).
1986: Arvidas Sabonis (1st round); Augusto Binelli (2nd), Drazen Petrovic (3rd); Aleksandr Volkov (6th), Valeri Tikhonenko (7th).
1987: Theofanis Christodolou (4th); Josè Antonio Montero (5th); Sarunas Marciulonis and Riccardo Morandotti (6th); Franjo Arapovic (7th).
1988: None drafted.
1989: Vlade Divac (1st); Dino Radja (2nd).
1990: Toni Kukoc and Stefano Rusconi (2nd).

Please pay attention to these statistics: The 1984 NBA Draft was made up of 10 rounds, 22 picks each. 10 x 22 = 220 players. Do you think all those 220 players drafted were better than some European prospect? The answer is NO.

1991: Zan Tabak (2nd).
1992: Predrag Danilovic (2nd).
1993: Gheorghe Muresan (2nd).
1994: Andrei Fetissov and Zeljko Rebraca (2nd).
1995: Jiri Zidek (1st); Dragan Tarlac, Dejan Bodiroga and Eurelijus Zukauskas (2nd).
1996: Predrag Stojakovic, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Efthimis Rentzias and Martin Muursepp (1st).
1997: Marko Milic, Predrag Drobnjak, Alain Digbeu and Roberto Duenas (2nd).
1998: Dirk Nowitzki, Radoslav Nesterovic, Mirsad Turkcan, Vladimir Stepania (1st); Bruno Sundov (2nd).
1999: Frederic Weis, Andrei Kirilenko (1st); Gordan Giricek (2nd).

In the 1990s, the doesn’t change: Understandable, during MJ’s reign. The last thing NBA needed was a batch of European rookies, when the reflectors of the entire world were focused on one of the most skilled generations (David Robinson, Charles Barkley, Stockton & Malone, Scottie Pippen, etc.) fans had ever seen. But one event put the Europeans under a new light: The 1996 NBA Finals played by Toni Kukoc, when he probably was the best shoulder in helping Jordan win the title and the MVP crown. We can’t say for sure if Kukoc was the reason for the totally new attitude: The point is that the NBA teams began to draft our players – often without any sense or need, and the journeys of young Europeans to US colleges became more frequent (I recall Jasikevicius, Kaukenas, Radojevic).

2000: Jerome Moiso, Hidayet Turkoglu, Dalibor Bagaric, Iakovos Tsakalidis, Primoz Brezec (1st); Marko Jaric, Josip Sesar, Igor Rakocevic (2nd).
2001: Pau Gasol, Vladimir Radmanovic, Raul Lopez, Tony Parker (1st); Mehmet Okur, Antonis Fotsis, Robertas Javtokas (2nd).
2002: Nikoloz Tsikitishvili, Bostjan Nachbar, Jiri Welsch, Nenad Krstic (1st); Milos Vujanic, Juan Carlos Navarro, Mario Kasun, Peter Fehse, Mladen Sekularac (2nd).

The 2003 NBA draft looks like a paradox: Joe Dumars should apologize for picking Darko Milicic at #2 when Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade were still waiting, but also mid-low level players as Szewczckyk, Vranes, Morlende (!), Van de Hare (!!) were drafted before NBA starters like Mo Williams and Steve Blake, and even reliable NBA benchers like Kyle Korver and Willie Green. What trust! So, what’s happened between these ultra-restricted and unlimited epochs for our players? The quality of US players wasn’t on the decline? Was the NBA, which needed to refresh itself, giving due credit to a style of basketball that showed how technical/tactical distances between the US and Europe had shrunk: A grazed nightmare (i.e. Jasikevicius and his missed three-pointer) in the 2000 Olympic semifinals and two delusions in a row (the humiliating 6th place finish in the homemade World Championship, Indianapolis 2002; the 3rd place behind Argentina and Italy in the 2004 Olympics) had taught the Americans something. Consequently:

2004: Andris Biedrins, Pavel Podkolzine, Viktor Khryapa, Sergei Monia, Sasha Vujacic, Beno Udrih (1st); Albert Miralles, Victor Sanikidze, Sergei Lishchuk, Vassilis Spanoulis, Sergei Karaulov (2nd).
2005: Fran Vazquez, Yaroslav Korolev, Johan Petro (1st); Ersan Ilyasova, Roko Ukic, Mile Ilic, Martynas Andriuskevicius, Erazem Lorbek, Mickael Gelabale, Axel Hervelle, Marcin Gortat, Uros Slokar, Cenk Akyol (2nd).
2006: Andrea Bargnani, Thabo Sefolosha, Oleksij Pecherov, Sergio Rodriguez, Joel Freeland (1st); Kosta Perovic, Lior Eliyahu, Vladimir Veremeenko, Yotam Halperin, Eden Bavcic, Loukas Mavrokefalidis, Damir Markota (2nd).
2007: Marco Belinelli, Rudy Fernandez, Petteri Koponen (1st); Kyrylo Fesenko, Stanko Barac, Marc Gasol, Reinaldas Seibutis, Giorgios Printezis, Milovan Rakovic (2nd).
2008: Danilo Gallinari, Alexis Ajinca, Nicolas Batum (1st); Nikola Pekovic, Omer Asik, Ante Tomic, Goran Dragic, Tadja Dragicevic, Semih Erden (2nd).

Nowadays, it’s clear that we have fusion in the NBA.“Come in, Europeans, you’re welcome!” is the message sent by David Stern to our players today. Some connected with it, some don’t. The common feeling is that many players could have get a good career in Europe, instead of warming the NBA pines. But you know, it’s all about the money. Try to explain that concept to Jaric (OK, Adriana Lima counts) and Milicic, for example, whose contracts call for $6.5 million and 7 million, respectively.
The turning point for us was 2004, when the golden generation born in 1979/1980 came of age: Smodis, Vujanic, Navarro, Diamantidis, and Reyes, in addition to 1978-born Vujcic, became top players, carrying the Euroelague to a level we’d never imagined before. More talent was available to be distributed among countries and teams, with the side-effect a careful eye focused on us by the NBA, which is not stupid. It took little time to understand that the renewed Euroleague formula, after the scission between ULEB and FIBA, made it dangerously look like the best league in the world for the intensity, the competition, and the widespread talent. Thus – because business is their religion – we are now overwhelmed by friendly matches in the US and several NBA Europe Live tours.
But the problems are on the table, if people like Navarro and Spanoulis prefer to remain in their countries to act as guiding lights for Barcelona and Panathinaikos, rather than fighting for precious minute in Houston or Memphis. And I imply Greg Buckner isn’t more skilled than Navarro.
The future? It’s not smiling on Stern at all. Euroleague projects are higher and higher, while the NBA’s charm isn’t at its top state (even in the US, it’s overtaken by NFL and MLB). An NBA franchise in Europe? Thanks, we’re not interested in. And the economic effort would surely not be repaid by an audience uninterested in circus lookalike games. Combine the logistics difficulties and the broadcasting problems, and the idea doesn’t suit anybody, here or there.
This is why 5th Avenue in New York City is searching for new markets: It doesn’t matter if their names are China, South America and Iran. The marketers understand Europe could be a giant too strong to pull down. They’re probably hoping for an economic alliance, and the NBA Europe Live tour explains this way of thinking.
However, until the salaries will be a signal so hard to refuse, our best men will land in the USA; but they’ll hesitate much more than in the past, in comparing two worlds so close yet at the same time so different. In considering whether to cross the ocean, they cheer us, for now they think about us, they fear us, they give the Europeans due credit.

The puddle keeps on shrinking.

written by Francesco Cappelletti

Jan 13, 2009ballineurope
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This post was published on January 13, 2009
Good night and good luck or a cinematographic preview of the last Euroleague game-dayEurocup LIVE: Brose Baskets - Crvena Zvedza
Comments: 18
  1. Michael Corleone
    16 years ago

    Bear in mind one giant particular. Once European youth programs has being started working more and more on a better athletic/physical level, the scissor between Euro and US-born players has tremendously been reduced.
    The Brandon Jennings’ move should have clearly explained something more. No game knowledge, no tactical smattering, only a poor run and shoot, too much foreseeable for Euro players and teams. In the case (as said) this is one of the best product of the US high-school, we will be a lot of spans higher in a mid-term horizon.
    The new Bertomeu’s Euroleague could absolutely be the right way for the Euro-supremacy, in case we are talking about “Sport” and not mere show.

    ReplyCancel
  2. hoopscoop
    16 years ago

    Two facts

    Basketball outside the Nba does not exist economically. The euroleague is not generating any substantial money and the outlook is bleak. The european top level teams are not able to reach 20 % of their budgets through gate receipts, television or marketing, it is more 10-15%. So it will always stay as an unhealthy system without hope whatsoever for interesting the broader audience in europe.
    The NBA will generate more than 4 000000000 $ fin earnings for 2008-2009 and stay flat even in face of the greatest economic crisis in 80 years.

    Since the 2001 draft the world has not produced one allstar-level player, the US on the other hand had the finest high school classes in history with the classes 2006 and 2007 only behind the once in a lifetime generation of 1979.

    Since US basketball has now serious leadership the next tournaments will not be pretty for the rest of the world.

    ReplyCancel
    • the truth
      15 years ago

      i pitty you sir… you obviously never played the game in your life… not one all star level player??? Dirk Novitski(also 2008 mvp), pau gasol, mark gasol, tony parker… enough? as far as the international competitions… you should bet your money instead of talking.. jus dont bet the house… or maybe you’ll end up sleeping under the bridge =)

      ReplyCancel
  3. Michael Corleone
    16 years ago

    Tell that the NBA does not fell crisis to that 10% of fired NBA employees last september… And to the franchises’ ticketing directors watching their sales falling down.
    Anyway, basket outside the NBA is working pretty good, not to emulate an unemulable NBA, but to create that economic stability that would permit the clubs to be self-sufficient. Once a bunch of people has understood this issue, new frontiers could be explored. It is not a war with the US, also because the footage is pretty different.

    ReplyCancel
  4. Brandon Hoffman
    16 years ago

    I think Dirk Nowitzki was the turning point.

    ReplyCancel
  5. Cal
    16 years ago

    The ratings between maccabi-le manns had a 14 share and more local viewer than many nfl games. Top euroleague teams easily exceed the nba salary cap. The basketball business is thriving outside the nba.

    ReplyCancel
  6. Jario
    16 years ago

    Basketball in Europe does not have the major aim to generate money as it is a sports competition and not a sports marketing company the NBA is turning to more and more, only seeing the profit but forgetting what it’s all about essentially. Players like Wade or James are getting pushed by allowing travelling etc in order to make them cash cows which is contradictory to the idea of a sportive competition but reminds more of a pre-written daily soap.
    If this is the price to pay it is way too high for me and the system worked for decades and made football the most successfull and popular sport in the world by far.

    ReplyCancel
  7. Michael Corleone
    16 years ago

    Absolutely agree with Jario. Don’t remember that sport fans, european for sure, wish to see competition, pathos, challenge, battle… In one word: something REAL. And at the end of the game, one excited winner and one desperate loser. In the NBA the loser has got always painted a cinematic smile on his face… That’s terrible!

    ReplyCancel
  8. jn
    16 years ago

    I see quite a few errors here. Actually, it was during MJ’s reign that Euro players first arrived into the NBA meaningfully: Petrovic, Divac, Marciulionis, Volkov, Kukoc. Petrovic became a franchise player and Kukoc was a top signing BEFORE Jordan retired and the Dream Team trounced the opposition. So much for that rationalisation.

    I know it is hard to believe, but neither Vranes nor Van der Hare were drafted because their tactical or technical skills. The fact that so many untested young tall players were drafted shows that it was simply a case that finding a new source of players still untapped. It does reflect favourably on how Euro basketball has improved, but it does not mean quality in the US has declined (or increased, or remained the same).

    I do agree, however, that pro basketball in Europe is not about turning a profit. I mean, it’s not like they are private companies with multi million budgets, are they?
    If they were, then I’m sure they’d be in for the money; but money is for the NBA and those mercenary players. Players in Europe play for candy and hugs.

    ReplyCancel
  9. Nick
    16 years ago

    I respect the Euro game and all the opinions found here. But right now you’ve got teams in Europe that are struggling to even pay their players at all much less compete with the higher end NBA salaries. Hoopscoop is right, the US is in a very bad place economically and the NBA is still selling out many arenas. To Michael Corleone’s assertion that NBA teams had to cut jobs my response is that may be but the positions they’re cutting are not vital to each team’s functioning normally. These are positions the teams can afford to cut. They’re not cutting players, they’re cutting office assistants,janitors and ushers.

    Beyond the money side of things lets talk about the game itself. Europeans are catching up in talent, no question. There are some awesome European players. But remember, every time US players go to the Olympics or world championships we leave some of our best players behind. Even in the Beijing Olympics where we won gold we left Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen behind. These were the three best players from that past season’s NBA champion, the Celtics. Also Shaq didn’t come and so many other good/great US players.

    Also, we play by International rules in these international tournaments. Many of the best Euro players in the NBA today took 1 or 2 NBA seasons to adjust to NBA rules and style of play. US players have to adjust in 1 month.

    One of the biggest complaints I hear is about NBA stars not being called for traveling or the NBA games being a circus. I used to be a ballboy for the Phoenix Suns when I was a kid and I agree, there is too much music and too many distractions from the game itself. I also agree that NBA stars get away with traveling sometimes. But it’s not just Americans like Lebron James and Dwayne Wade. Have you seen how many steps Manu Ginobili takes when he drives to the hoop sometimes? But he gets away with it because he’s crafty, clever and fast, just like Lebron and Wade.

    The biggest thing Europe has going right now is the way players are developed. They’re taught very young how to play as a team and that’s not something that’s always emphasized in the US. Stars here are given special treatment and told they’re the best from the time they are young kids. That’s not good for them in many cases. I much prefer the European development style.

    Sorry my comments are so long but I’d love to hear what you all think. This a great site that offers alot of new perspective to Americans like me who don’t always know everything that’s happening in Europe. Thanks.

    ReplyCancel
    • Cat
      16 years ago

      Hey Nick,

      I used to be a ballgirl for the Phoenix Suns. What years were you with them?

      ReplyCancel
      • Nick
        16 years ago

        I was with the Suns from 1997-2000

        ReplyCancel
  10. Cal
    16 years ago

    I more concern about the nba with teams leveraging on short term debt. NBA teams are spending money before they’re making it, not a good policy in a financial crisis.

    ReplyCancel
  11. Michael Corleone
    16 years ago

    Hi Nick, nice to meet you.
    Regarding the results at the Olympics, there are no doubts. US is still the first. And I even think that it will be for a long time. At least since an European Team will be created. It is really different when you build a team putting together 12 players chosen among a base of more than 300 million people, with such a basketball tradition, schools and what have you. Despite all there have been a real challenge between US and Spain this year. 300 million people base versus 45. Whay don’t we try to have a game between Spain and Texas? Or Italy and North Carolina? Let’s wait 25-30 years and China will defeat everyone. Other 30 years and the same will happen with India. Let’s try to create a team with Parker, Calderon, Nowitzki, Gasol, Bargnani, Turkoglu and so on, let’s coach them together and let’s see. Maybe the challenge would be different.

    ReplyCancel
  12. ChicagoBull
    16 years ago

    i live in america.i love the nba.it is the best basketball played in the world.i also enjoy watching euroleague games on t.v as well.i think the euroleague has closed the gap on the nba,but still not on the same level.i’ve spoken to plenty of european players in the nba.they talk about how the nba game is different.it’s faster,more dynamic,the major difference that the 3 point line makes.all those things don’t mean the nba game is less technical than the euro game either.i think we as a basketball community have to enjoy each league for what it is.but let me add this,the USA won gold in China beating the competition by an average of 27 points per game.i think the USA has figured out the fiba formula.which has raised the bar for the rest of the basketball world.that is a good thing.viva nba,viva euroleague.

    ReplyCancel
  13. the one and only
    15 years ago

    Wasn´t Pétur Karl Guðmundsson the first european to enter the nba in 81??

    ReplyCancel
  14. the truth
    15 years ago

    NBA= has more appeal beacuse of the entire show, and its promotion, its more fun to watch… Euroleague much more technical and tactical, if you want to learn anything by watching, go with the Euroleague… for example, European centers dont rely as much in shear force as americans, they have more finesse handle better the ball and shoot from anywhere, Nowitzki is the best 7 foot shooter the nba has ever seen, also when zone defense (developed by the europeans ) was introduced in the nba, they cut it out for awhile because they said “it ruined the flow of the game… translation, they leaned how to defend with it, but didnt bother to learn how to attack it…

    ReplyCancel
  15. Richard
    15 years ago

    First of, if the Euroleague wanna be as good as the NBA, they should keep their young players stay in Europe, rather than go to the NBA. Some success and the others aren’t (Darko Jasikiviceus etc)

    Then after they’re able to do so, they might pull closer to the NBA.

    ReplyCancel
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  1. Yaroslav Korolev
    16 years ago
  2. Europejscy gracze w NBA « Pierwsza w Polsce strona z tłumaczeniami artykułów koszykarskich
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