“We beat them” Giannis Antetokounmpo selects his elite 5 European players team who can beat Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and LeBron James
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Giannis Antetokounmpo
In the past few years the NBA has had a massive inflow of international players into the league. From players like Giannis Antetokounmpo to Joel Embiid to Luka Doncic, the league is flooded with international players who are leading their team’s championship hope.
Although, it would be too early to say that the international teams can dominate and easily beat the team USA but one thing is for sure, USA basketball is not unbeatable anymore. It is a credit to the league that it has successfully expanded the game beyond its borders.
Speaking of best international players against US best players, Giannis got candid with his Bucks’ teammate Serge Ibaka on his YouTube show ‘How Hungry Are You?’. Giannis sat down with Ibaka to talk about the game and his personal life. Concurring with Ibaka, Giannis said that among the best players in the league are international players, and “it’s not a secret.”
When Ibaka asked Giannis to choose the 5 best international players he would choose to start, he said, “let me go Embiid five..Jokic four... Giannis three… maybe Evan Fournier and Luka at one.” Giannis starting 5 is undoubtedly the best he has put forth. He added, “man there is some talent there.”
Choosing his starting five for the USA team, Giannis said, “so now let’s go to the USA team, you got to go Steph..at one, at the two…Klay Thompson, three LeBron, four KD, and… Adebayo, we beat them.” It is a tough matchup and as Giannis alluded to the fact that it would be difficult to guard him and Embiid for the players. However, guarding Steph, KD and LeBron is itself a Herculean task for anybody in the league.
It is only better for the league as more players like Giannis, Luka and others from beyond the border join the NBA. It expands not only the NBA but also the game to reach fans across the globe. Expanding the NBA is going to bring in more international players into the league and the game would be finally played without borders as it should be.
From Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jokic and Embiid to Luka Doncic, the NBA’s international best players
Giannis Antetokounmpo has established himself as one of the top players in the league. He has won 2 consecutive regular season MVP awards and he is one of the only three players in NBA history to win regular MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Award in the same year. Giannis has also had an NBA championship and a finals MVP award. Since being drafted in 2013, he has achieved almost every big accolade in the league.
Joel Embiid is leading the Philadelphia 76ers’ offense and is by far the best player on the team. He won last year’s scoring title. Luka Doncic has been an absolute sensation in the league and beyond borders. At 23 years of age, Doncic is dominating the league like never seen before.
Nikola Jokic has won 2 consecutive regular season MVP awards and the Serbian big man is leading his team in their championship quest. Giannis is back again in the MVP conversation this season along with Luka Doncic and is largely considered by many as the best player in the league. The Bucks’ odds to win the championship are also the highest in the league. One thing is for sure; the league is changing at a faster pace.
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FS Desk
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