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Europeans in the NBA: who opened the door?
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:00 pm
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:00 pm
There’s no denying that they are some of the biggest stars in the league now. Luka, Jokic, Sabonis, Wembanyama, etc.
Who would be considered their pioneer? Would it be Toni Kukoc? If not, who do you think is primarily responsible for the current influx of Europeans to the league?
Who would be considered their pioneer? Would it be Toni Kukoc? If not, who do you think is primarily responsible for the current influx of Europeans to the league?
20
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:02 pm to High C
Plenty came before him but Dirk was the tipping point
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:04 pm to High C
quote:
who opened the door?
The NBA and IOC deal that allowed NBA players to play in the 92 olympics.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:04 pm to High C
Sabonis maybe
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:06 pm to High C
Dražen Petrovic
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:08 pm to High C
Šarunas Marciulionis
Drafted in ‘87 from USSR (Lithuania)
Joined Warriors in ‘89 and became a solid player, finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting in ‘92.
He preceded Vlade and Kukoc, who were higher profile players given their teams. Hell, Vlade succeeded Kareem.
Drafted in ‘87 from USSR (Lithuania)
Joined Warriors in ‘89 and became a solid player, finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting in ‘92.
He preceded Vlade and Kukoc, who were higher profile players given their teams. Hell, Vlade succeeded Kareem.
This post was edited on 4/16/24 at 6:15 pm
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:08 pm to Hetfield
Geert Hammink
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:09 pm to faraway
Dirk was the first European player to become a superstar-top 5 player. When he was entering the draft, some exec told Sports Illustrated that he should really be the first player taken, but NBA GMs were scared of picking a European that high. (Kind of like there was a consensus that KG was the best player in the draft when he came out, but teams were leery of taking a high school player)
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:40 pm to High C
Vlade I believe
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:52 pm to faraway
quote:
Sabonis maybe
Could’ve been an all-timer.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:54 pm to High C
There were players that came before him, but Dirk was the first true Euro superstar.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 7:07 pm to High C
Gilbert Arenas hates Euro players.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 7:10 pm to High C
2004 US Olympic Team eating absolute arse. The European kids who saw that became the European wonderkids.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 8:19 pm to GoldenGuy
Slava Medvedenko
Posted on 4/16/24 at 8:26 pm to S
Detlef Schrempf
Posted on 4/16/24 at 9:12 pm to S
World B Free
Posted on 4/16/24 at 9:35 pm to North Dallas Tiger
Schrempf was the first good Euro that I remember
Posted on 4/16/24 at 9:37 pm to FightinTigersDammit
quote:
Schrempf was the first good Euro that I remember
Forgot about him.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 9:38 pm to FightinTigersDammit
He didn’t go directly to the NBA from Europe, though. He played HS and college ball in Washington.
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