When international players first began showing up on NBA rosters several decades ago, the belief was that it wouldn't take long for them to have a major impact on the way basketball is viewed around the world.
Now, as Tim Duncan joins Hakeem Olajuwon and Dirk Nowitzki in crossing the 20,000-point plateau in their careers, the truth is that foreign-born players have changed the face and the future of the league. There were 83 international players representing 36 different countries and territories on NBA rosters to open the 2009-10 season.
With the annual All-Star Game approaching, this is a good time to put together an all-time all-star team of international players.
PF: Tim Duncan -- Virgin Islands
NBA career: 1997-present.
If not for Hurricane Hugo slamming into his native St. Croix, Duncan might have grown up and become the world's tallest Olympic swimmer. It was the NBA's good fortune that the Big Fundamental turned to basketball when the island's only Olympic-sized pool was destroyed. He's been nothing fancy, just clinically and ruthlessly efficient at both ends since arriving in San Antonio in 1997. Duncan has won two MVP trophies, four championships, three Finals MVPs and arguably established himself as the best power forward in history.
SF: Dirk Nowitzki -- Germany
NBA career: 1998-present
He was the skinny kid with the blond hair and the incredible jumper when Nowitzki showed up at the Nike Hoop Summit in 1998 and sent a few scouts staggering out of the building shaking their heads in disbelief. Dallas swung the draft night deal of the 1990s, getting him with the ninth pick in the Draft in exchange for Robert Traylor. He's the best-shooting big man ever to play the game, a 7-footer with deadly touch from anywhere on the floor. He also averages more than eight rebounds per game. The 2006 MVP has lifted the Mavericks from laughingstock to perennial playoff contender.
C: Hakeem Olajuwon -- Nigeria
NBA career: 1985-2002
When he made the jump from Africa to the University of Houston and then the NBA, it was said he was paving the way for the centers of the future. Truth is, there has never been anyone like him to come along since with the speed and the power and the skill at both ends of the floor. Often said to have the greatest footwork by any big man in history, Olajuwon was MVP in 1994, led the Houston Rockets to championships in 1994 and 1995, was a 12-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA first team selection. A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Olajuwon is the all-time leader in blocked shots.
PG: Steve Nash -- Canada
NBA career: 1996-present
Born in South Africa, Nash grew up in Victoria, B.C. learning the angles and intricacies of soccer from his father. The Suns made him a first-round Draft pick after a mid-level college career at Santa Clara, but they never would have let him go if they'd truly understood what they had. Then again, how do you explain Dallas let him go as a free agent in 2004 and breaking up the partnership with his buddy Dirk Nowitzki? He can control the ball and control a game as well as anyone in the NBA today. He's now a seven-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA first team pick.
SG: Manu Ginobili -- Argentina
NBA career: 2002-present
Even the Spurs didn't know what they had when they made Ginobili a second-round Draft pick in 1999. Truth is, they weren't even sure how to spell his name. Of course, since arriving in San Antonio in 2003, everyone has learned to spell it "w-i-n-n-e-r." He's been the picante sauce on the Spurs plate, the spice that often makes them too hot to handle. He attacks the basket and slings in the killer 3s with equal fearlessness and also makes the critical defensive plays. Tim Duncan is the foundation and Tony Parker is the quarterback, but Ginobili was the spark in three championship runs by the Spurs.
PF: Pau Gasol -- Spain
NBA career: 2001-present
The third overall pick in the 2001 Draft who Memphis landed in a trade with Atlanta, Gasol helped take the Grizz to the playoffs three years in a row, but couldn't win a single postseason game and began to get a bad rap. His skills as a passer, low-post scorer, rebounder and defender are finally recognized in LA, where he was the missing piece that led to a pair of Finals trips and one NBA title.
SF: Detlef Schrempf -- Germany
NBA career: 1985-2001
The No. 8 overall pick of the Dallas Mavericks in 1985, Schrempf didn't become a regular until he was traded to Indiana in 1989. He was named the Sixth Man of the year in 1990 and 1991 with the Pacers and made the first of his three NBA All-Star teams. An excellent 3-point shooter, he was also a solid rebounder (6.4 per game) and passer (3.4 assists) and was a key member of the Seattle team that lost in the 1997 NBA Finals to the Chicago Bulls.
C: Dikembe Mutombo -- Democratic Republic of Congo
NBA career: 1991-2009
Regarded as one of the greatest post defenders of his era, many forget that Mutombo averaged 16.6 points and 12.3 rebounds in his rookie season (1991-92) season with the Denver Nuggets and was named to the All-Star team. He played for six different NBA teams and retired as the No. 2 shot-blocker of all-time behind Hakeem Olajuwon.
PG: Tony Parker -- France
NBA career: 2001-present.
He was born in Belgium, but grew up in France. The 28th pick in the 2001 draft, Parker was only 19 years old when he joined the Spurs and quickly became coach Gregg Popovich's favorite whipping boy. One year later, he was also Popovich's starting point guard on the 2003 championship team and has since won two more. He's been a three-time choice to the West All-Star team and was MVP of the 2007 Finals.
SG: Drazen Petrovic -- Croatia
NBA career: 1989-1993.
A third-round pick (60th overall) by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1986, Petrovic stayed in Europe to continue a legendary career with Real Madrid before joining the NBA in 1989. Traded a year later to New Jersey, he was blossoming as one of the league's all-time great shooters when he died in a car accident in 1993. He was posthumously enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
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