| | |  | | Vlade Divac has had a very solid NBA career with three teams. |
We ask the users for their comments on our Decision 2000 topic each week, and sometimes that develops into another question for the following week. So, this week we turn our attention to the fine European players in the NBA, and ask you to choose the top guy.
We're limiting this group of players only to Europeans, and not including other international stars like Tim Duncan and Dikembe Mutombo. Members of our clan this week hail from places such as England, France, Germany as well as the Ukraine, Serbia and Croatia.
Last week's question dealt with young point guards and we received many e-mails and votes in the poll on the subject. In the end, with more than 40,000 poll votes, Steve Francis won it, with Jason Williams second and Andre Miller third.
This forum is just for the users. We don't give our opinions (for a change), we just give you the options and let you vote and flood our e-mail box. The poll is at the right and the place to send mail is at the bottom of the page.
Check out our Decision 2000 results file to see what you thought the last two weeks, and check for the results of this week's topic, European players, next week. The 11 players (we couldn't narrow it this week to 10) are listed in alphabetical order. Enjoy.
Who is the best European player in the NBA?
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T. ABDUL-WAHAD
Key Stats: 11.4 pts, 4.8 rebs, 1.6 asts
Age: 25, France
Team: Nuggets
Season might be over due to a sprained wrist, but he didn't do badly when he played. Started with Orlando after being dealt from the Kings for Nick Anderson, and his defensive style continued to get him noticed. Dependable two-guard is a free agent after the season.
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JOHN AMAECHI
Key Stats: 10.3 pts, 3.1 rebs, .447 FG
Age: 29, England
Team: Magic
Undrafted out of Penn State, Amaechi played 28 games with Cleveland in 1995-96, doing nothing, then went elsewhere before finding work in Orlando this season. A 6-10 center with size but not a rebounder, Amaechi can score (14 a game last eight weeks) |
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VLADE DIVAC
Key Stats: 12.2 pts, 8 rebs, 1.4 blks
Age: 32, Serbia
Team: Kings
Now in his 11th year and still producing the same solid numbers, Divac, who was traded for Kobe Bryant after seven years in L.A., is a leader for the young Kings. Still shoots and rebounds well, and can at least give Shaq something to think about in the playoffs.
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TONI KUKOC
Key Stats: 15 pts, 5 rebs, 4.6 asts
Age: 31, Croatia
Team: 76ers
Won his titles with the Bulls and now is trying to help Iverson and Philly win one. Is likely a rent-a-player (back to Europe?) after three-way trade involving Larry Hughes. Can still pass with the top big forwards and score if needed, but defense and shooting have slipped.
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RASHO NESTEROVIC
Key Stats: 6.3 pts, 4.5 rebs, .492 FG
Age: 23, Slovenia
Team: Wolves
Isn't a rookie, but occasional starting center only played 30 minutes last season. Has some offensive moves, needs work on defense, and remains a 7-foot raw project, although he looks to be worth it. Was 17th pick of '98 draft after two seasons in Italy. Best yet to come.
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DIRK NOWITZKI
Key Stats: 17.6 pts, 6.1 rebs, 2.5 asts
Age: 21, Germany
Team: Mavs
Nobody's laughing now. One of Don Nelson's few good moves in Dallas, Dirk is a 6-11 keeper with passing ability, three-point range, post-up moves and the ability to defend big men. Ninth pick of '98 draft was nightmare as rookie (8.2 pts, .405 FG), but obviously panning out.
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VITALY POTAPENKO
Key Stats: 9.5 pts, 6.5 rebs, .509 FG
Age: 25, Ukraine
Team: Celtics
Pitino likes him, so maybe we should wait out this work-in-progress. Dealt for Andrew DeClerq and a first-round pick (Andre Miller), 12th pick of '96 draft has moves, can shoot well, board and sometimes defend. Fouls are an issue, but at 6-10, 285, he he has a future.
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ARVYDAS SABONIS
Key Stats: 11.8 pts, 7.9 rebs, 1.3 blks
Age: 35, Lithuania
Team: Blazers
If only he had come to the NBA a decade earlier... Sabonis is excellent passing big man with three-point range and nice skills. However, in only his fifth NBA season, is aging fast and body's breaking down. Remains big key for Portland and 20-10 threat any night.
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DETLEF SCHREMPF
Key Stats: 7.6 pts, 4.4 rebs, 2.5 asts
Age: 37, Germany
Team: Blazers
Look past the current numbers, 15-year vet has had very productive career in Dallas, Indiana and Seattle. Former All-Star and sixth-man winner good for 19 points, 10 boards in his prime, his stats have been divided in half this year in quest for title. Can still play the game.
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RIK SMITS
Key Stats: 13.3 pts, 5.1 rebs, 1.4 blks
Age: 33, Netherlands
Team: Pacers
Second pick of '88 draft out of Marist has had nice career, but sore feet might make this the end. Once averaged 18.5 points, but remains steady scoring option and defender. Doesn't rebound like he's 7-4, but Dunking Dutchman has always been dependable scorer.
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PREDRAG STOJAKOVIC
Key Stats: 10.9 pts, .356 3-pt FG
Age: 22, Serbia
Team: Kings
Big-time three-point threat only beginning to shine in NBA in second season. Can light it up when he gets the shots, though like his teammates, defense not a priority. In nine games as a starter, has averaged 18.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and .920 FT percentage. Future 20-point scorer?
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Sound off on the European player in the box provided below. Be sure to fill out the form completely. If you omit your name or city, we'll ignore you. Just hit the "submit" button to send your comment to us.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Decision 2000 Results: Young point guards
NBA Decision 2000: Young point guards
NBA Decision 2000 Results: Lunch-pail players
NBA Decision 2000: Lunch-pail player
NBA Decision 2000 Results: Defenders
NBA Decision 2000: Defenders
NBA Decision 2000 Results: It's Shaq
NBA Decision 2000: MVP watch
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