Thanks to the explosion in international talent over the last 30 years in the NBA, a debate has arisen as to who is the greatest international player in the history of the game of basketball. You have seen us settle some of the NBA’s hottest debates using our most accurate formula, so it is time to bring this one to the table and see what kind of results it spits out for us today.
This heated debate between international talent has come down to five players. Arguably the most skilled center in NBA history, Hakeem Olajuwon, The Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo, German-born superstar Dirk Nowitzki, Serbian unicorn and two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, and lastly, two-time MVP and Canadian/South African legend Steve Nash. We will explore each one of these fine players’ careers using the same formula we have determined such debates as the greatest point guard in NBA history and the greatest player in Los Angeles Lakers history. In the end, there can be only one winner.
This is the complete breakdown of the debate between Hakeem Olajuwon, Dirk Nowitzki, Giannis Antetokonmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Steve Nash for the title of the greatest international player in NBA history.
Best Stats
1. Hakeem Olajuwon – 21.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 3.1 BPG (5 Points)
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 22.7 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.3 BPG (4 Points)
3. Nikola Jokic – 20.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG (3 Points)
4. Dirk Nowitzki – 20.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG (2 Points)
5. Steve Nash – 14.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 8.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG (1 Point)
We start things off with the best stats category which goes to the innovator of the “DreamShake”, Hakeem Olajuwon. Over the course of 18 years in the NBA, Olajuwon became the all-time leader in blocks averaging 3.1 per game while also adding 1.7 steals per game as one of, if not the best defender in NBA history. He is the only player of these five international greats to average over 20.0 points and over 11.0 rebounds per game in his career which makes him the easy selection for these five points.
Following him up are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, the two lone active players who have inserted themselves into this conversation. Giannis has been the most abundant scorer on this list, averaging 22.7 points per game for his career. Nikola Jokic is a stat-stuffer, especially over the last few seasons, nearly averaging a triple-double in 2022-23 with his incredibly precise playmaking skills. Thanks to their complete all-around games, Antetokounmpo and Jokic take home four and three points, respectively.
Bringing up the rear are two former teammates turned adversaries, Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash. Nowitzki is top-10 all-time in total points scored in his career with 31,560 points while Nash sits fifth in NBA history in assists with 10,335. Unfortunately for them, with such long careers, their per-game stats do not measure up to the other three in this debate.
Most NBA Championships
1. Hakeem Olajuwon – 2 NBA Championships (5 Points)
T2. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 1 NBA Championship (4 Points)
T2. Nikola Jokic – 1 NBA Championship (4 Points)
T2. Dirk Nowitzki – 1 NBA Championship (4 Points)
5. Steve Nash – 0 NBA Championships (0 Points)
Hakeem Olajuwon takes his second category in a row for the two NBA championships he won during his NBA career. Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to back-to-back NBA titles in 1994 and 1995 over the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic. In 1004, Olajuwon led his team to the mountaintop without an All-Star teammate while also winning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, a near-perfect season by NBA standards.
Three players in this debate have all led their teams to one NBA championship in their careers as well. Dirk Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA title in 2011 over the Miami Heat in one of the biggest upsets in NBA playoff history. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic are the only two players who have a chance to add to their championship total with their careers still very much in their prime. Giannis led the Bucks to their first title since 1971 in 2021 and Jokic led the Nuggets to their first NBA title ever in 2023.
Steve Nash never got the opportunity to play, let alone win, an NBA Finals in his career despite leading one of the most potent offensive lineups we have ever seen.
Most MVP Awards
T1. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 2 MVP Awards (5 Points)
T1. Steve Nash – 2 MVP Awards (5 Points)
T1. Nikola Jokic – 2 MVP Awards (5 Points)
T4. Hakeem Olajuwon – 1 MVP Award (2 Points)
T4. Dirk Nowitzki – 1 MVP Award (2 Points)
Between these five international talents, there have been eight MVP awards handed out including three players with two each on their mantles. Steve Nash won back-to-back MVP awards in 2006 and 2007 averaging 18.7 points and 11.0 assists per game on over 50/40/90 shooting splits.
Like their cases with NBA championships, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic still have the opportunity to add another MVP or two to their trophy cases. Giannis captured back-to-back MVP awards as well in 2019 and 2020 averaging 28.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. Jokic captured his two MVPs in back-to-back fashion as well in 2021 and 2022 averaging 26.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game over those two seasons.
Both Dirk Nowitzki and Hakeem Olajuwon were fortunate enough to be named MVP once in their careers, earning them just two points for this category. Olajuwon captured his MVP in 1994 averaging 27.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game. In 2007, Dirk Nowitzki would win his only career MVP averaging 24.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.
Most Finals MVP Awards
1. Hakeem Olajuwon – 2 Finals MVP Awards (5 Points)
T2. Nikola Jokic – 1 Finals MVP Award (4 Points)
T2. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 1 Finals MVP Award (4 Points)
T2. Dirk Nowitzki – 1 Finals MVP Award (4 Points)
5. Steve Nash – 0 Finals MVP Awards (0 Points)
Every NBA championship accounted for among these five players came with a Finals MVP award for their efforts. Hakeem Olajuwon earned both Finals MVP awards for the Rocket’s championship wins in 1994 and 1995 over the Knicks and Magic. In 1994, Olajuwon led the Rockets to a seven-game series win with 26.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 3.9 blocks per game. In 1995, he led them to a title in a sweep of Orlando with 32.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game.
In 2011, Dirk Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to their only NBA championship averaging 26.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. The Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games. Nikola Jokic also led his team to their first ever championship in 2023. Jokic and the Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in five games in 2023 behind 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game.
Finally, in 2021, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first championship since 1971 with a six-game series win over the Suns. After falling down 2-0 in the series, Antetokounmpo led his squad to four straight wins averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game.
Most Defensive Player Of The Year Awards
1. Hakeem Olajuwon – 2 Defensive Player Of The Year Awards (5 Points)
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 1 Defensive Player Of The Year Award (4 Points)
T3. Nikola Jokic – 0 Defensive Player Of The Year Awards (0 Points)
T3. Steve Nash – 0 Defensive Player Of The Year Awards (0 Points)
T3. Dirk Nowitzki – 0 Defensive Player Of The Year Awards (0 Points)
Only two of the five players we are discussing today ever did enough on the other side of the ball to be named Defensive Player of the Year award winners. Hakeem Olajuwon took back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards home in 1993 and 1994 averaging over 1.5 steals and 3.5 blocks per game each season. Giannis was able to take his award home in 2020 averaging 13.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game.
Dirk Nowitzki, Nikola Jokic, and Steve Nash are not and have never been known for their stout defensive presence. While none of them were all-time terrible defenders, none of these players were ever even named to an All-Defensive Team in their careers. I guess Jokic still has time but it is more than likely not going to happen given the trajectory of his career so far on defense.
Most All-NBA Team Selections
T1. Hakeem Olajuwon – 12 All-NBA Team Selections (5 Points)
T1. Dirk Nowitzki – 12 All-NBA Team Selections (5 Points)
T3. Steve Nash – 7 All-NBA Team Selections (3 Points)
T3. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 7 All-NBA Team Selections (3 Points)
5. Nikola Jokic – 5 All-NBA Team Selections (1 Point)
Between the five players we are discussing today, there have been 43 selections to the All-NBA Team in their careers. Leading the way at the top for five points in the category are Hakeem Olajuwon and Dirk Nowitzki, each with 12 All-NBA Team selections. Olajuwon earned six of those selections to the First Team, three to the Second Team, and three to the Third Team in his career. As for Nowitzki, four of his selections were to the First Team, five to the Second Team, and three to the Third Team as well.
Steve Nash and Giannis Antetokounmpo each have captured seven All-NBA team selections in their careers with Giannis well on his way to much more down the line. For Giannis, five selections have been to the First Team so far in his career while two have come to the Second Team. Nash only earned three First Team selections with two selections to the Second and Third Teams each as well.
Nikola Jokic is sure to move up on this list as well, just entering the meat of his prime with three First Team selections and two Second Team selections. It is only a matter of a few seasons before Jokic is well on his way to the second-place spot in this category.
Most All-Defensive Team Selections
1. Hakeem Olajuwon – 9 All-Defensive Team Selections (5 Points)
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 5 All-Defensive Team Selections (4 Points)
T3. Nikola Jokic – 0 All-Defensive team Selections (0 Points)
T3. Dirk Nowitzki – 0 All-Defensive team Selections (0 Points)
T3. Steve Nash – 0 All-Defensive team Selections (0 Points)
Just as the case was with Defensive Player of the Year, only Hakeem Olajuwon and Giannis Antetokounmpo have ever been awarded for their defensive play out of this group. As one of the greatest defenders in NBA history, Olajuwon was selected to nine All-Defensive Teams in his career, taking home five points for this category. Five of these selections were to the First Team and Four were to the Second Team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been named to five All-Defensive Teams in his career, good enough for second place and four points in this category. Four of Giannis’ selections to the All-Defensive Team have been to the First Team with just one Second Team selection to his name. As for the other three players on this list, their defense was average or just above it but not nearly elite enough to earn any All-Defensive Team selections.
Most All-Star Selections
1. Dirk Nowitzki – 14 All-Star Selections (5 Points)
2. Hakeem Olajuwon – 12 All-Star Selections (4 Points)
3. Steve Nash – 8 All-Star Selections (3 Points)
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 7 All-Star Selections (2 Points)
5. Nikola Jokic – 5 All-Star Selections (1 Point)
The next category in our formula is the most All-Star selections category for which there are 46 selections between these five players. Only Dirk Nowitzki and Hakeem Olajuwon have earned double-digit All-Star selections in their careers with Dirk on top with 14. Despite their regular appearance at the midseason exhibition, neither player was ever lucky enough to be crowned All-Star Game MVP.
Steve Nash was never an All-Star Game MVP either but was fortunate enough to grab eight All-Star selections in his career. Right behind him is Giannis Antetokounmpo with seven All-Star selections, likely to tie Nash with eight as long as the 2023-24 season keeps going in this direction for him. Giannis is the only player here to be crowned All-Star Game MVP which he earned in 2021. Nikola Jokic will likely also earn another All-Star appearance this season but that still would not be enough to gain him more than one point for this category.
Total Win Shares
1. Dirk Nowitzki – 206.3 Win Shares (5 Points)
2. Hakeem Olajuwon – 162.8 Win Shares (4 Points)
3. Steve Nash – 129.7 Win Shares (3 Points)
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 96.4 Win Shares (2 Points)
5. Nikola Jokic – 95.5 Win Shares (1 Point)
When it comes to the win shares category, only Dirk Nowitzki has eclipsed the 200.0 mark thanks to an illustrious 21-year career. During his career, Nowitzki led the NBA twice in win shares in 2006 and 2007 while also recording eight seasons with at least 12.0 win shares. Hakeem Olajuwon is in second place in this category with 162.8 total career win shares. Olajuwon never led the NBA at any point in his career in this statistic and recorded eight seasons with at least 10.0
Steve Nash gets third-place points for this category as well as the only other player to eclipse 100.0 win shares in his career thus far. Nash never led the NBA in this category either but did record five seasons with at least 10.0. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic continue to make their way up this list and are set to challenge Dirk’s number here by the end of their careers. Giannis led the NBA in win shares in 2020 while Jokic has led the NBA each season since 2021 with 14.9 or more.
PER
1. Nikola Jokic – 27.7 PER (5 Points)
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 24.9 PER (4 Points)
3. Hakeem Olajuwon – 23.6 PER (3 Points)
4. Dirk Nowitzki 22.4 PER (2 Points)
5. Steve Nash – 20.0 PER (1 Point)
The remarkable thing about the PER category is that each of these players sustained a 20.0 PER for the duration of their careers. Nikola Jokic has been one of the most efficient players ever since entering the NBA 2015-16, recording a PER of over 21.5 since his rookie season. He has led the NBA every season over the last three years with PERs that exceed 31.0.
As for Giannis Antetokounmpo, he too boasts a high player efficiency rating with a 24.9 career PER. He led the NBA in 2019 and 2020 with PERs over 30.5 and has recorded a minimum of 26.0 PER since 2017. Hakeem Olajuwon, Dirk Nowitzki, and Steve Nash were also three of the more efficient players to ever play their positions. Olajuwon went 15 years from 1985 through 1999 with a PER of 20.5 or better. Dirk Nowitzki did lead the NBA in PER once in 2006 with 13 seasons with a 21.5 PER or higher while Nash had 10 seasons with a PER over 20.0.
Who Is The Greatest International Player In NBA History?
1. Hakeem Olajuwon – 43 Points (6 Categories Won)
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 36 Points (1 Category Won)
3. Dirk Nowitzki – 29 Points (3 Categories Won)
4. Nikola Jokic – 24 Points (2 Categories Won)
5. Steve Nash – 16 Points (1 Category Won)
The formula strikes again with some interesting findings to conclude the greatest international player ever debate. First, Hakeem Olajuwon is still far and away the greatest international talent in NBA history. He takes home wins in all defensive categories as well as NBA championships and Finals MVP awards. Until someone matches his defensive abilities or overall accolades, he will remain the top player in this debate for some time to come.
The second interesting finding from this formula is that Giannis Antetokounmpo has already surpassed Dirk Nowitzki as the second-greatest international player ever. Giannis has already surpassed anything Nowitzki ever did defensively as well as bringing home more MVP awards already in his career. Being in his prime as we speak, Gianns can pull away even more from this discussion.
Lastly, we can officially remove Steve Nash from any consideration in this debate. As great as he was for 18 seasons, the lack of success in which he was able to lead his team hurt his case and has already been surpassed by Nikola Jokic handily in the conversation. Speaking of Jokic, he may just be two or three seasons from nipping at Giannis’ heels for the second-place spot on this list. Will any of these active players be able to catch Hakeem, though?
