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10 International Basketball Players To Watch [Pics]

msn.foxsports.com — The Olympics features plenty of basketball stars on teams *other than* Team USA. Here's ten of those players....

Who dugg this? Made popular Aug 11, 2008

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  • thetruthis, on 08/10/2008, -1/+13No ***** really?! A bunch of NBA players except for like 4 of them. Can we hear about athletes we don't know about?
  • inactive, on 08/11/2008, -2/+910. Yao Ming, C, China
    In many ways, Yao Ming is the face of these Olympics. He's the torchbearer for the host country in the Opening Ceremony and if he can lead his team to an upset of Team USA in Sunday's opener, he'll be more of a national hero than ever. But don't count on it. Yao's still slowed by a stress fracture in his left foot. And other than Yi Jianlian, he doesn't have much help. The Chinese guards are likely to wilt under the Americans' pressure.

    9. Theodoros Papaloukas, PG, Greece
    You've never heard of him? Well, Team USA knows who he is. Papaloukas, a hard-nosed, 6-7 point guard nicknamed "The Thread" for his passing ability, led Greece to an upset of the U.S. in the 2006 World Championship semifinals. The Euroleague's career leader in steals and assists, he's rejected overtures from NBA teams for years. Indeed, while none of its players are in the NBA, Greece is a bona-fide medal contender and could provide Team USA's first big challenge on Thursday.

    8. Jose Calderon, PG, Spain
    Spain should be Team USA's toughest competition in Group B and a genuine threat to win the whole thing. When the teams play Aug. 16, the key may be Calderon's ability to withstand the Americans' defensive pressure. He led the NBA in assist-turnover ratio (5.38 to 1) with the Raptors last season and usually makes good decisions with the ball.

    7. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Germany
    Dirk's been knocked for some playoff failures with the Mavericks, but he's not under the same pressure in Beijing. He's done well just to carry Germany to an Olympic berth. He forms a formidable frontcourt with Chris Kaman of the Clippers, but the German backcourt figures to be badly overmatched in its game with Team USA on Aug. 18.

    6.Luis Scola, PF, Argentina
    While the U.S. romped through the FIBA Americas Championship last summer, it's interesting to note that Scola was named the tournament's MVP. The 6-9 forward averaged 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds and proved to be a handful for everybody, including the Americans. If he can get more help from a talented group of teammates that includes Andres Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto, Carlos Delfino and Manu Ginobili, Argentina has a good chance to defend its 2004 Olympic gold medal.

    5. Sarunas Jasikevicius, PG, Lithuania
    Lithuania isn't considered a strong medal contender, but that can all change if Jasikevicius gets hot. Just ask the Americans. "Sid Vicious," as some fans called him at Maryland, drained seven 3-pointers in an upset of Team USA in the 2004 Olympics. One of the world's top shooters, he proved a bit slow for the NBA game in two seasons with the Pacers and Warriors, but he is a fiery competitor who loves the big stage.

    4. Andrew Bogut, C, Australia
    The Aussies, who haven't enjoyed much international success of late, hung tight with Team USA in last week's final Olympic warmup. And they did it without Bogut, who was resting a sore right ankle. If the former No. 1 pick is healthy, Australia might get out of Group A and into the medal round. If not, he can count his money after signing a $72 million deal with the Bucks last month.

    3. Andrei Kirilenko, SF, Russia
    Along with Argentina, Russia is one of the favorites to advance out of Group A, and Kirilenko is the main reason. AK-47 is among the world's most versatile players. A superb defender and gifted passer, he has lost his confidence at times while playing for the Utah Jazz, but he thrives in international play. He led Russia to the European championship in 2007 and was named MVP of that tournament.

    2. Pau Gasol, C, Spain
    Why do many observers think Spain has the best chance to beat the U.S.? It recently knocked off Argentina and Russia in warmup games. It has an excellent backcourt of Jose Calderon, Juan Carlos Navarro and Rudy Fernandez. It has enviable team chemisty. And above all, it has Gasol, a 7-footer who figures to be a tough matchup for the American big men. Though the Celtics exposed him as a bit soft in the NBA Finals, his finesse game is perfectly suited for international play. Along with his 7-1 brother Marc, who will join the Grizzlies next season, he might give Spain an advantage over Team USA around the basket.

    1. Manu Ginobili, SG, Argentina
    American fans know Ginobili best for his high-intensity playing style, his defensive flops and his three NBA championships with the Spurs. But the 31-year-old has been a star on the international level for many years. He was the MVP of the 2004 Olympics, leading Argentina to its first basketball gold, and is the only player to win the Euroleague, an Olympic gold medal and an NBA title. Though the Spurs preferred that he skip the Olympics to heal his banged-up body, there was little chance he'd choose team over country. Argentina is No. 2 in the FIBA world rankings ... and Manu wants a shot at No. 1.
  • inactive, on 08/10/2008, -0/+66-7 point guards are hard to come by...especially those of Greek heritage. :-)
  • wyzeguy27, on 08/11/2008, -2/+8There is ONE player on the list who has not played significant NBA ball. ONE! In the spirit of this ever-so-enlightening piece, I've made a complementary list of the top 12 DOMESTIC players to watch:
    1) Kobe Bryant - Plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, won a mildly obscure award in the NBA this past year called the Most Valuable Player Award. Some mystics consider him the greatest player on the planet.
    2) Lebron James - Videos posted on Youtube show that he can dunk, but the validity of these moving pictures is in question.
    3) Dwight Howard - Looks like he's 16, if you only look above his neck. Probably photoshopped.
    4) Dwyane Wade - One of the more popularized misspelled first names in basketball. The big gossip leading up to the Games is that he has shaved his head.
    5) Carmelo Anthony - One of two on the national team with no muscle definition in his arms. This is likely due to the amount of time needed to get his hair ready for its close-up. Oddly, hasn't been noticed on the court since the 2006 World Championships in Japan.
    6) Chris Paul - Significantly shorter than Yao, but can ride comfortably in coach when needed. Also, he can pass.
    7) Deron Williams - Has living, growing, expanding tattoos, origination during his senior year of high school. Lease likely team member to be mistaken for a basketball player. Fashions his game after Abraham Lincoln.
    8) Jason Kidd - Added to the team to solve the jet lag issue using his world renown bedtime-story-reading ability. Has already gone bald, yet is able to walk without a cane. Probably from magic.
    9) Chris Bosh - Fancies himself a car salesman. Second skinniest player on the team, which saves him a decent amount of hazing.
    10) Carlos Boozer - One roster spot reserved for player with amusing last name. Carlos was given the spot thanks to the added benefit of his having a unibrow.
    11) Michael Redd - Token 3-Point shooting robot. Athleticism escapes him, but his humanoid form allows him to pass physical inspection. Has nightly fantasies about zone defenses.
    12) Tayshaun Prince - Skinniest Olympic athlete. Included for his defense, but benched for missing every practice due to "extreme hunger."
  • stellarceltic, on 08/11/2008, -0/+5Translation:

    "The problem with USA team - they have a guy who is likely the best basketball player on earth"

    Yeah... that makes sense.
  • ZeeZee2k, on 08/11/2008, -0/+4he's going to be a top 3 pick next year at the draft.
  • ironeus, on 08/10/2008, -2/+5Theodoros Papaloukas is a good one to watch, have seen him on EuroLeague and he can definitely dominate.
  • sabester24, on 08/11/2008, -0/+3Manu is ripped!
  • inactive, on 08/11/2008, -0/+3Good point. But the best international players also happen to play in the best league.
  • canewediggit, on 08/11/2008, -0/+3yeah, if you follow the nba, this list is really week. rudy fernandez is the guy that's grabbed my attention so far, i think the blazers scored yet again. chinese guard the lakers signed (sun ye?) didn't look half bad either.
  • thallium205, on 08/11/2008, -0/+2So basically.. good basketball players other than from the USA.
  • DickyT83, on 08/11/2008, -2/+4No Ricky Rubio? The kid's 18 years old and makes some of these veterans look like amateurs.
  • FeartheKnighted, on 08/11/2008, -0/+2Thank you. I really hate those damn slide shows, especially this one because it was going about 3 times faster than I can read. And I can read fast.
  • yessuz, on 08/11/2008, -0/+2And, according some of opinions, NBA is not the best, after all
  • yessuz, on 08/11/2008, -1/+3Very wrong article, since there are much better players on this Olympics, who haven't played in NBA, since they aren't interested in that. They are getting better money in Europe than they could get it in NBA.
    This article is rubbish.
    Buried for being inaccurate
  • DreamVsPs2, on 08/11/2008, -1/+2these are " Olympic" players to watch.

    there are more and better internationals players that are not on the list
  • ModernChem, on 08/11/2008, -0/+1I'm callin bs
  • whoomp123, on 08/11/2008, -1/+2Would have been more interesting to list 10 players not already being watched by most nba fans.
  • bunnybash, on 08/11/2008, -1/+2Australian point guard Patrick Mills, great point guard, NBA scouts think that the last time they saw a player this quick was Alan Iverson sophomore season... Great fun to watch...
  • joolsca, on 08/11/2008, -0/+1No, he's 17 years old.
  • inactive, on 08/11/2008, -0/+1maybe it should be called "10 foreign basketball players to watch"... international doesn't mean "not from the usa"
  • yessuz, on 08/11/2008, -2/+2no, they won't.
    The problem with USA team - they have KOBE
  • chrisbosh123, on 08/11/2008, -1/+1There is no competition in basketball. The US team will dominate (stacked all star NBA basketball players).
  • yessuz, on 08/11/2008, -2/+2WRONG. It's fiba rules.
    Generaly, the game between USA and chine shows, how many TRAVELLING, according FIBA rules, USA team does, however, referees love to see some ppl dunking..
    USA will Fail ant this olympics. You'll see
  • Halsfield, on 08/11/2008, -1/+1I really have more fun watching things that we dont normally get to see in everyday sports. Discus, hurdles, all of track and field really, swimming, high-dive, etc.

    The USA may have gotten upset before, but i doubt its going to happen again, and it really should be a sure thing, and what fun is that? I'd rather watch something that has less to do with stacking as many enormous players as you possibly can and more about skill and the olympic spirit. Countries like japan just are not going to be able to get players that are able to shoot or dunk on players that america has, size isnt the only factor, but it is a big one.
  • wyzeguy27, on 08/11/2008, -0/+0I should have read your comment before posting mine. I agree completely.
  • bossywalker, on 08/11/2008, -2/+2Fail. Yao Ming was the flag bearer not the torch bearer in the opening ceremony.
  • joolsca, on 08/11/2008, -1/+1People who don't know who these very high profile players are, don't watch basketball...and don't care anyway.
    God I'm so sick of the effing US and the effing "redeem team".
  • W16three, on 08/11/2008, -0/+0The Cheerio game is retarded.
  • WhiteBoyDunkin, on 08/11/2008, -0/+0hence best international bballers.
  • MJHDigg, on 08/11/2008, -0/+0Although this list is from players not from Team USA, it features several players who play in the USA. It would be nice if they had more players who played in their respectable countries.

    Thanks for digging this article.
  • WhiteBoyDunkin, on 08/11/2008, -1/+0the game is ever changing, overseas will be nearly as good as us soon, look at the players they are poaching from the nba to play overseas, the #1 ranked high school player, josh childress, and more. Kobe will play his final years in europe, mark my words. Maybe even lebron.
  • HotSaucePanCake, on 08/11/2008, -4/+2I watched Pau Gasol and he sucked it up with his brother today...

    Team USA is going to dominate, they want blood...
  • IH8PelicanFarts, on 08/11/2008, -5/+1Jose Calderon, caught you looking at the cheerio, unfortunately Jose the cheerio is above your shoulder so you get a punch to the shoulder. Man learn how to play the game already~! (please someone tell me they remember the Cheerio game?)
  • matthewaaron, on 08/11/2008, -8/+3Sarcasm
    Y HALO THAR, I HAS DUG UR ARTICLE. PLZ CHECK SUM OV MAH ARTICLEZ AN DIGG ME BAK. THANK U VRY MUTCH!
    /Sarcasm
  • Enche, on 08/11/2008, -6/+111) me
  • Tempest261, on 08/11/2008, -7/+2I would watch these guys in the Olympics but www.nbcolympics.com is so terrible that it doesn't look like that's all that feasible anymore. No fullscreen, no commentary, and ads that have sound 2X the regular sound level?

    Dear NBC,
    *PUNCH*
    Love,
    Me

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