The NBA has become a global sport in the modern era, and there is no doubt that there has been an influx of international talent in the league over the last couple of years. As of right now, we are seeing a lot of European players such as Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo dominating the league.
Recently, legend Gary Payton explained why European players are dominating in the NBA right now. He pointed out that previously we simply didn’t see many talented European players in the league, and also noted that European players start playing professional basketball at a young age, which is why we’re seeing them dominate today.
Gary Payton explained why European players started to dominate in the NBA 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/1XUOO9XIna
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) February 18, 2023
It wasn’t like that because they weren’t here. We didn’t give them an opportunity to get here… You have got to understand they have started playing professional basketball when they were 14, 15 years old… so they know how to play the game, and they know how to do it.
That’s why Luka is so good, and that’s why people get mad at him because he say it’s too easy. It is too easy for him because he’s beeen doing it all his life.
There is no doubt that the overall talent level of the league today is much greater than it was before, and is wild to see the success of European stars in the league. The 3 best players in the league today are arguably all European, and the amount of elite European players is bound to grow with time.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Spoke Out On The Growth Of The International Game
Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo previously spoke on the international growth of the NBA, claiming that it has been “incredible”. He highlighted the fact that an international player can be a franchise superstar now, and also stated that it is up to this current crop of international players to “set the path for the next generation”.
It’s been incredible. Doesn’t really matter where you’re from right now. Guys can come and compete. Guys can win games. Guys can carry teams… You can be a franchise player… When I came in 10 years ago… there was only Dirk… Now it’s way more. From Luka, From Jokic, From Embiid, From Siakam, Me, Gobert, Both Bogdanovic… Guys are stepping up and helping the team win in the best way possible. People before us set the path for us… We have to set the path for the next generation.
There is no doubt that the game is in a good place right now, due to the bigger talent pool brought on by the globalization of the sport. Hopefully, the game continues to grow and develop, so we can see even more great players play in the NBA. European players definitely get more respect in the league these days, and that will only continue to be the case if they keep dominating.
Though the majority of elite international superstars come from Europe, perhaps one day we’ll see an NBA superstar from Asia or South America. It is only a matter of time before the talented players there get their opportunity to shine in the league, and hopefully, that moment comes sooner rather than later.
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