[McDunkin]

 We are in the middle of the Top-16 phase of the 2011-12 Euroleague competition, which makes it an opportune time to check in on the favorites to win MVP.

– All records and stats through Game 4 of Top-16

1. Andrei Kirilenko– CSKA (13-1 season, 3-1 in Top 16)

12.7 points (44% 3FG), 7.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.6 blocks in 29 minutes

There isn’t a single thing that Andrei Kirilenko couldn’t do in Euroleague this season and there’s a feeling we haven’t seen the best yet. It is more than clear that Kirilenko, who turned 31 on Saturday, is head and shoulders above the other MVP candidates.

2. Bo McCalebb– Montepaschi (12-2, 4-0)

18.1 points (72% 2FG, 60% 3FG), 2.5 rebounds, 3 assists in 27 minutes

The domination of American-born Macedonian Bo McCalebb continues. The 6-foot guard is living a dream since the last EuroBasket and just when you think he can’t play any better, he proves you wrong. McCaleebb is absolutely the best offensive player in Europe and facts speak for themselves. The Montepaschi’s leader, who ranks third in scoring and second in 2FG percentage, scored no less than 13 points in all Euroleague games this season.

3. Erazem Lorbek– FC Barcelona Regal (13-1, 4-0)

15.2 points (46% 3FG), 4.9 rebounds in 26 minutes

Yes, FC Barcelona Regal is still Navarro’s team, but Erazem Lorbek’s consistency has been the main weapon for the Spanish club this season. The Slovene collected 15 or more performance index rating (PIR) points in all four Top 16 games.

4. Henry Domercant– Unics (10-4, 3-1)

16.4 points (52% 3FG), 4.2 rebounds in 31 minutes

The 31-year-old veteran Henry Domercant, Euroleague MVP of January, is the engine of Unics offense and the key of their success. Domercant, who ranks fourth in scoring, has made at least one 3-pointer in all 14 Euroleague games this season. It seems that the guard feels more comfortable shooting from beyond the arc as Domercant already made 38 3-pointers compared to 28 shots from short-range.

5. Nenad Krstic– CSKA (13-1, 3-1)

15.4 points, 6.6 rebounds in 24 minutes

Before coming back to Europe, Nenad Krstic revealed the NBA season sometimes missed pressure and that was one of the reasons why he turned his career into Eurolegue, where every game matters. So far, Krstic is perfectly dealing with the pressure well, as he is the leading scorer of undoubtedly the best team in the league.

6. Dimitris Diamantidis– Panathinaikos (10-4, 3-1)

10.1 points (48% 3FG), 3.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists in 29 minutes

Definitely, Dimitris Diamantidis’ teammates took some of the load from his shoulders compared to last season, but still, Diamantidis is probably the player in the Euroleague you would want to have on your team in clutch situations. 

7. Vassilis Spanoulis– Olympiakos (8-6, 2-2)

18.4 points (41% 3FG), 4.2. assists, 3.9 turnovers in 31 minutes

Before the start of the season, it seemed that Olympiakos would remain a shadow of its past but thanks to Vassilis Spanoulis, Piraeus team remains competitive. Same as last season, Spanoulis is one the best players in the Euroleague in terms of scoring, but at the same time, he leads the league in turnovers for the second season in row.

8. Marko Banic– Bilbao Basket (7-7, 2-2)

14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds in 26 minutes

Marko Banic, who has been playing for Bilbao since 2005, is having a Euroleague debut of dreams. Banic, the main reason of the team’s success, is playing like a real MVP, while his team grabs stunning wins against teams like Real Madrid.

9. Nikola Mirotic– Real Madrid (10-4, 2-2)

12 points (45% 3FG), 4.2 rebounds in 23 minutes

While Jonas Valanciunas steals all the spotlight as the best young player in Europe, Chicago Bulls draftee Nikola Mirotic became a starting center and a game-changer for Real Madrid this season. A few amazing performances, for example, against Maccabi or Partizan, made Mirotic an MVP candidate. Bulls fans should be thrilled to see their future player successfully competing in Euroleague and Spanish league (Liga Endesa), the two best competitions in Europe.

10. Sonny Weems– Zalgiris (4-10, 0-4)

16 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3 turnovers in 30 minutes

There’s no doubt that Sonny Weems has been one of the best signings of last summer among all Euroleague teams. Weems has everything it takes to be a team leader, but that still was not enough for Zalgiris, who’s been struggling all season long.

Honorable Mentions: Jaycee Carroll, Real; Joel Freeland, Unicaja; Viktor Khryapa, CSKA; Terrell Lyday, Unics; Juan Carlos Navarro, FC Barcelona Regal; Demond Mallet, Maccabi; Vladimir Micov, Bennet.

Read more:http://basketball.realgm.com/article/219113/Euroleague_MVP_Race#ixzz1n8FLoZas

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

It’s crazy how Bo McCaleb was snubbed in the draft, but it seems when his euro contract is up over there he will def get a call from some NBA teams.

[JunkYardDogParticipant]

 kirilenko is playing at 50% of his abilities…. as you said we haven’t seen the best yet and by far…

I should have put mirotic a little bit higher, but the overall standing is great : juanca has been injured, spanoulis is here (so european baller won’t have a heart attack),  banic and weems the surprise….

[NbanflguyParticipant]

Wheres Kostas Sloukas?!?!?!

[JunkYardDogParticipant]

don’t wake up the greek kraken….!!!!

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

I’m excited to see Mirotic play in an NBA uni

[JunkYardDogParticipant]

 …in a BULLS uni….instead of boozer with  noah, asik and gibson…. 

It would form a great frontcourt.

[European BallerParticipant]

I love how Kirilenko is "head and shoulders the MVP" when he has played in only 10 games and is just a role player on offense for his team. And why in the world would you include players like Sonny Weems that are from awful teams?

Euroleague MVP race is currently just between Krstic, McCalebb, Domercant, and Spanoulis. Kirilenko has to play in more games, and he has to start actually doing something on offense, other than just playing as a garbage man and spot shooter.

I also like how you make a point to bring up a negative on Spanoulis (just to make him look bad), and don’t mention a negative about a single other player on the list, even though they all have them. I mean,

McCalebb can’t shoot from distance. Kirilenko is a role player on offense. Weems has a really low basketball IQ, etc.

The talk about Spanoulis and turnovers and assists is really funny. You just had to put that there so that NBA fans would think he sucks. Didn’t you?

Why don’t you post the assists numbers for Jose Calderon, Ricky Rubio, Brandon Jennings, and Ty Lawson in the Euroleague? I am sure that NBA fans would love to see that. Oh wait, this was just a clever way to bash Spanoulis, and hype up the NBA by overrating what Kirilenko has done. Right.

[European BallerParticipant]

It’s crazy how Bo McCaleb was snubbed in the draft, but it seems when his euro contract is up over there he will def get a call from some NBA teams.

 

But according to all the NBA fans here, "NBA scouts are experts and they always draft ALL of the players that are good enough to play in the NBA. If they were not drafted, it is because they were not good enough to play in the NBA."

I love how people here say this BS, when it is so obviously ridiculous.

[aamir543Participant]

In what league is 12 and 7 MVP numbers? I know the Euroleague is different, but still.

[JunkYardDogParticipant]

@ aamir : that’s about a do it all player we’re talking about.

kirilenko is also posting great numbers in spg bpg apg…. in limited minutes and in limited efforts. In EL that’s more about efficiency rating if you’re talking about stat’ only.

he should have the trophy IF cska win the title cause he’ll be clutch and effective when needed.

[European BallerParticipant]

In what league is 12 and 7 MVP numbers? I know the Euroleague is different, but still.

Not in the Euroleague. Whomever wrote that was just trying to hype the usual pro NBA bias. I don’t think Kirilenko would be any higher than 3rd place in MVP on his own team so far.

NBA fans can be really funny. Kirilenko plays the same exact role in CSKA that he played with the Utah Jazz. If he is head and shoulders the MVP in Euroleague so far, then he should ahve also won 4-5 MVPs in the NBA with the Jazz. Because his role and importance to his team is the same in both clubs and leagues.

And even more hilarious, was how he had missed 1/3 of the season when this was written, and how his team was undefeated WITHOUT him.

Just ignore it. It was just another pro NBA fluff piece from realgm.com that is designed to bash the Euroleague and promote the NBA.

[NbanflguyParticipant]

Just ignore it. It was just another pro NBA fluff piece from realgm.com that is designed to bash the Euroleague and promote the NBA.

Actually I would rather just ignore you… yeah i will do that.

[Scottoant93Participant]

A Greek player not number 1? this is absoulutely OUTRAGES 

[European BallerParticipant]

@ aamir : that’s about a do it all player we’re talking about.

kirilenko is also posting great numbers in spg bpg apg…. in limited minutes and in limited efforts. In EL that’s more about efficiency rating if you’re talking about stat’ only.

he should have the trophy IF cska win the title cause he’ll be clutch and effective when needed.

29 minutes per game is "limited minutes"? How exactly do you come to this conclusion? Many stars in Euroleague only play like 18-20 minutes a game, and 30 a game is very unusual, even for the biggest players. Kirilenko is playing 29 a game and you call this "limited minutes"? That is completely wrong.

25 minutes a game, is considered BIG PLAYING TIME in Euroleague.

So how come he was never NBA MVP in Utah when he was a do it all player, with as good or better stats?

If what you claim is true, then Diamantidis whould be the clear cut MVP. Since he is a "do it all player", a great defender, AND he runs the offense of his team, AND he is the first option of his team. In other words, a "do it all player" that is doing a lot more than Kirilenko is.

Kirilenko MAY end up being the MVP. It certainly is possible. The problem is that you are claiming this is the CURRENT MVP list, which is ridiculous. If the season ended today there is ZERO chance Kirilenko would win the MVP award.

If you said this is a projection of the MVP award, that’s different. But no way in hell, is Kirilenko the current MVP frontrunner, let alone something crazy like "head and shoulders above the others".

When lists like this are made for the NBA, it is listed by whom is CURRENTLY the MVP main contenders. So this article is extremely misleading.

[JunkYardDogParticipant]

 no that is racism against greece and that is nba superirity complex !!!

[European BallerParticipant]

Actually I would rather just ignore you… yeah i will do that.

Yeah, because anyone with a brain would know that a 13/7 player is "head and shoulders the MVP" of the European continent. Seriously……….even in the Euroleague, those are NOT MVP numbers. The article is ridiculous to anyone with even the slightest bit of objective analysis.

Keep being ignorant about all basketball that is non-NBA related.

[NbanflguyParticipant]

Yeah, because anyone with a brain would know that a 13/7 player is "head and shoulders the MVP" of the European continent. Seriously……….even in the Euroleague, those are NOT MVP numbers. The article is ridiculous to anyone with even the slightest bit of objective analysis.

Keep being ignorant about all basketball that is non-NBA related.

Yeah, because anyone with a brain would know that Lebron James and Derrick Rose would not be just average in the Euroleague, and that Pekovic is not the best center in the league right now.

Keep being ignorant about all basketball that is NBA related

[JunkYardDogParticipant]

@ European Baller : I watched 3 or 4 games with ak in cska this year.

And he was dominating without scoring a lot cause this is cska way of playing (the most effective one for them).

He played limited minutes in VTB and russian leagues (that’s why I was talking about limited minutes) and missed lots of games. But in EL he was dominating the games he played (especially at the beginning) by shooting extremely well and creating the difference.

What ak brings can not only be measured by stat’…. it would be idiot. MOreover he can be MVP in EL and not in NBA cause the way players are selected is not the same and stat’ are not collected the same way (and don’t have the same importance) .

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

But according to all the NBA fans here, "NBA scouts are experts and they always draft ALL of the players that are good enough to play in the NBA. If they were not drafted, it is because they were not good enough to play in the NBA."

I love how people here say this BS, when it is so obviously ridiculous.

Who has said that? Why don’t you bother them instead of attacking everyone? I for one have never seen a person on here say that, at least one whose opinion more than likely mattered to me. Do you really take everything this personal? You would find that people are open to actually having a CONSTRUCTIVE (meaning, agreement or debate without resorting to name calling) dialogue with you if you were not always on the attack and were OPEN MINDED. I believe I have said time after time you have a point about certain things, but you never seem to admit when you may overstate or possibly, I don’t know, be wrong? 

[European BallerParticipant]

Yeah, because anyone with a brain would know that Lebron James and Derrick Rose would not be just average in the Euroleague, and that Pekovic is not the best center in the league right now.

Keep being ignorant about all basketball that is NBA related

 

It was BS article. Nothing more needs to be said. A guy that missed a 1/3 of the season, his team went undefeated without him, and is a role player on offense on his team, is not the current Euroleague MVP and sure the hell not "head and shoulders" above everyone in the race.

As I said, if it said this was the pick for the MVP at the end of the season, I would have no problem with the article. But to claim this is the current MVP and by "head and shoulders" over the others is pretty stupid. You know, it implies if the season ended now that this would be the MVP. And Kirilenko sure the hell would not be the MVP if the season ended now.

Maybe the next time they make such a list and put it on realgm,com, they should actually do some analysis.

 

[European BallerParticipant]

@ European Baller : I watched 3 or 4 games with ak in cska this year.

And he was dominating without scoring a lot cause this is cska way of playing (the most effective one for them).

He played limited minutes in VTB and russian leagues (that’s why I was talking about limited minutes) and missed lots of games. But in EL he was dominating the games he played (especially at the beginning) by shooting extremely well and creating the difference.

What ak brings can not only be measured by stat’…. it would be idiot. MOreover he can be MVP in EL and not in NBA cause the way players are selected is not the same and stat’ are not collected the same way (and don’t have the same importance) .

OK again, you did no analysis at all and just made this list. Typical NBA only fans nonsense.

YES, Kirilenko was "dominating" early in the season……..what is your point? Do you ahve any idea how inflated those stats were? Look at the opponents overall in the first stage of the year. He was playing against some of the absolute worst teams in the league.

Now, please direct your attention to the Top 16, where he was playing against REAL competition in every game, and even then it’s not like Olympiacos, Efes, and Gala are top level teams. Especially Gala and Efes are fairly mediocre even by Euroleague standards. But he is NOT playing against total scrub teams like Zalgiris, Brose, and Zagreb.

Now there has been no domiantion at all in the Top 16. And it just shows how you would write that based on seeing a few games early in the year against scrub teams…………….

You sure the hell did not watch the Top 16. Because Kirilenko has not been "dominant" in any way. Even the biggest CSKA homers would not make that claim. You don’t earn MVP of the Euroleague by throwing some big stats early in the year against Brose, Zalgiris, and Zagreb.

Come on. Get real. His performance in the Top 16 is very good, certainly that – very good. But is it "dominant" Hell no, not even near to being that. Is it "head and shoulders" above everyone else MVP level? Hell no in any way. Is it even MVP level………….no, not at all, to be honest.

So what you basically did, would be like saying, Jeremy Lin is for sure head and shoulders the league MVP, after he had 3-4 starts in the NBA.

[European BallerParticipant]

Who has said that? Why don’t you bother them instead of attacking everyone? I for one have never seen a person on here say that, at least one whose opinion more than likely mattered to me. Do you really take everything this personal? You would find that people are open to actually having a CONSTRUCTIVE (meaning, agreement or debate without resorting to name calling) dialogue with you if you were not always on the attack and were OPEN MINDED. I believe I have said time after time you have a point about certain things, but you never seem to admit when you may overstate or possibly, I don’t know, be wrong?

 

In every discussion that comes up here, when I ask why a certain European player is not on any of the mocks – that always comes up. So yes, people here are making such claims.

[JunkYardDogParticipant]

"OK again, you did no analysis at all and just made this list"

 I didn’t do any list EB ….! take it easy….

I’m just telling my point of view after watching EL games. And because he’s not coming from nowhere like lin, kirilenko is a proven player dominating in international competition too.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

How many of the players you have asked about have actually been drafted? Just wondering. It is NOT because they are not good enough (necessarily), but could be for a number of other reasons. Have all of these guys decided that they want nothing more than to make the NBA? Decided to focus on that goal completely? Well, that would be a start, homes. Plus, again, WHY DO YOU CARE!? You seem to make it abundantly clear that you don’t care about the NBA whatsoever, so why post this stuff?

[A Lil EnglishParticipant]

Euroleague MVP 2010-2011 – Diamantidis (listed above)

30.5 MPG, 12.5 PPG, 6.2 APG, 3.9 RPG, 1.6 SPG,

http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=JKO&clubcode=PAN&seasoncode=E2010

[butidonthavemoney]

"If he is head and shoulders the MVP in Euroleague so far, then he should ahve also won 4-5 MVPs in the NBA with the Jazz."

Exactly!!

I agree with European Baller. Kirilenko and his studdish ways deserve more recognition.

[European BallerParticipant]

I’m just telling my point of view after watching EL games. And because he’s not coming from nowhere like lin, kirilenko is a proven player dominating in international competition too.

What the heck is with this NBA fans and "dominating"? Do you guys even own a dictionary? Look up the word, find out what it means, and STOP using it where it does not apply please.

[European BallerParticipant]

Euroleague MVP 2010-2011 – Diamantidis (listed above)

30.5 MPG, 12.5 PPG, 6.2 APG, 3.9 RPG, 1.6 SPG,

http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=JKO&clubc…

 

Didn you even read what I wrote? I said, why is Diamantidis not the MVP then? Since he is an all around player like Kirilenko, great on defense, AND he runs the offense of his team (Kirilenko does not) AND he is the first option of his team on offense (Kirilenko is not)………..

That’s the whole point………how can Kirilenko be MVP by a run away, if it is just for beign an all around player, when another guy is also an all around player, also great on D, AND runs the offense of his team, AND is the first option of his team, while Kirilenko is a role player on offense?

Is this REALLY THAT HARD to comprehend?

[Scottoant93Participant]

You know whats real shame is that because of this fool europeanbasketball, its making Eurobasketball and europeans in general seem like a$$holes as a result making some USA users make ignorant comments.

Example- One user wrote " hey European Baller i hate to bring this up , but europe sucks dick"  shanetyler95, that dude got 5 thumbs up.Really????

Im from italy man, and you have never seen me this anything bad of ncaa basketball, us basketball or in general, but because of this one user everyone in europe sucks d!ck, I honestly could care less about what you think of europe,italy or whatever..but dont stoop to his level and insult people from different cultures that have nothing do with this… Seriously that just makes you guys as immature of this dude is(how old are you anyway). Im not talking about the people telling this dude go away and joking about greek player im talking to people insulting other people based on where theyre from and basing them off this dudes action. Grow the Hell up, this is a f@cking sport nothing more nothing less.

[A Lil EnglishParticipant]

Dude I don’t read what you write, I’m not interested in discussing the stuff you talk about because of your troll-like attitude.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I felt bad when I saw that post Scottoant, since I knew you were from Europe. I think I said "Just imagine European Baller meaning Europe in that sense", but it still did not make it right. European Baller, the reason you are a troll is because you take and make things personal. Instead of kindly disagreeing and saying why, you say "that is BS" or "you are ridiculous". If I say something is ridiculous, it is usually an idea, not a person in general.

You obviously seem to get stung by peoples opinion, which is why you choose to go on these tangents. The thing is, if you are right, why not back it up with more research rather than more insults? Why does it need to be this absolute generalization, especially if you are trying to fight ignorance and try to win for your side? If you were not a troll, you could take constructive criticism rather than just taking everything a person says and turning it into an insult.

Right now, that makes you look like you are trying to get an emotional response rather than have an actual intelligent dialogue on basketball. People who name call and try to elicit this response are known as "trolls". I can’t remember any post where you actually had any intention of having a discussion from anything other than a set view point that was unflinching and usually insulting, promoting vast generalizations that I do not believe we have pointed towards you. You take them as such, but really we are a group of individuals who do not all apply to the same doctrine. To make it seem otherwise is everything you claim to be fighting against.

[butidonthavemoney]

You guys are all idiots. European Baller and I are the only ones who know that Kirilenko is the true MVP. The rest of you are just haters.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Plus, he wants to be Kirilenko’s "once a year exception" much more than you do. Not to mention, he is closer…….

[butidonthavemoney]

"Plus, he wants to be Kirilenko’s "once a year exception" much more than you do. Not to mention, he is closer……."

Actually, I’m Alaskan, and can see Kirilenko from my house.

[aamir543Participant]

I don’t know  what standards Euroleague uses for MVP, but it’s definatly different than what Americans use.

I’m sure that Kirilenko is having one hell of an all around season, but for me, the MVP is a guy that can take a game over at any point in the game, no matter how good the defense is playing. I don’t watch Euorleague, but I don’t think a guy scoring 12 points a game is that guy. Then again, I may be wrong, but just my 2 cents.

[Scottoant93Participant]

@aamir here is a good article on the difference in basketball nba vs european basketball

 

The NBA vs. Europe

 

Casey explains the differences.

by Casey Jacobsen

If I had a dollar for each time someone asked me what the differences are between the NBA and European basketball (FIBA), I could retire right now at the young age of 28. It’s a good question, and one that can’t be answered in few words.

Some background:

European basketball has been steadily improving for the past 30 years. Long before there was a Dirk Nowitzki, there was a Drazen Petrovic and an Arvydas Sabonis. Each year (or two), there were more European basketball players crossing the waters and testing their skill in the NBA. Fans of the game noticed the subtle change, but European basketball wasn’t really considered by most to be anywhere near the level to that of Americans. In fact, the USA was so dominant that for many years, we would send an Olympic team of college amateurs to compete against the professionals of every other country and still win the majority of competitions.

After the gap between Europe and the USA started to shrink in the 1980s, we decided to unleash our professionals and let the NBA players represent our country’s basketball ability. Our former dominance was soon restored, and it reached its pinnacle during the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, when the USA assembled the greatest basketball team to ever walk on a hardwood floor. The “Dream Team,” led by Jordan, Barkley, Magic and Bird destroyed every country in their path and cruised to a gold medal. The following Olympics in 1996, the “Dream Team 2” also won easily with the average margin of victory over 30 ppg. In the last 16 Olympics, USA basketball has brought home the gold 13 times.

When that “Dream Team” era of players retired, however, something weird happened… The European teams no longer feared us. They already faced the Dream Team, and although they lost badly, in their minds, they realized that any other team that the U.S. puts on the floor will be inferior to the one led by MJ. As a result, these European teams who had been playing with each other for years developed a confidence that matched their growing skills at every position.

Countries like Greece, Argentina, Spain, Germany, Slovenia, Turkey, etc. were catching up to the USA and in many cases, beating them. Players like Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Hedo Turkoglu, Manu Ginobili and Pau Gasol were well-known players in all basketball circles. The NBA Draft was quickly becoming an international event. In the 2004 Olympics, Team USA, even with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, took bronze. The gap had officially closed.

Basketball used to be an American game, and although the NBA is unquestionably the best league in the world, European basketball (FIBA) has significantly caught up and is still gaining ground. (If you don’t agree, think if all the European players who are starring in the NBA were still in Europe playing in their own countries.)

I’ve played four years in the NBA and another four years in Europe, so I have some experience with both. The similarity is obvious: basketball. Regardless of what country you play the game in, the basic principles of putting the ball in the basket still apply. But there are some significant differences between playing in the NBA and in Europe, both on and off the court:

1. The NBA game is much more about individual players than Europe. When you watch the Cleveland Cavaliers play, you’ll see LeBron James play one-on-one at least 15 times per game. He’s the best player. He gets the ball. The rules allow him to play isolation against his man—this idea is the core of what an NBA offense is about. In Europe, it is about team offense and defense. There are one-on-one opportunities, but they must come out of the team’s playbook, not your own. Even the most talented offensive players in Europe average less than 20 ppg.

2. FIBA rules are similar to those of college basketball in America. Games are only 40 minutes long (compared to 48 minutes in the NBA), the three-point lines are closer, and pure zone defenses are allowed. There are other smaller rule differences, but these I listed above are the ones that significantly change the way the game is played.

3. The NBA is about athleticism; Europe is about skill. Of course, the NBA players are skilled, but that isn’t what drives the League. Athleticism is the trump card. Even if a player has minimal skill, as long as he can run fast, slide quickly and jump high, an NBA team will find him a roster spot. The idea behind this philosophy is that coaches can teach a player how to make a jump shot, make good passes, and so on… but you can’t teach a 40-inch vertical leap! In Europe, if you can’t dribble, pass and shoot, then you don’t play—at least not with an elite club. It’s as simple as that.

4. European coaches have a lot of power and influence on their teams. Coaching in the NBA is a difficult task because of two major factors: 1) The players make a lot more money than the coach does (except Phil Jackson)—thus the players are less likely to be released/traded if the team doesn’t do well. The NBA coach is the first to be fired and everyone knows this fact; and 2) The NBA is getting younger and younger—the kids playing in the NBA haven’t been to more than one or two years of college (and some not at all!), which makes it harder for coaches to win games with such inexperienced players. Coaches of veteran teams like the Lakers, Spurs and Magic have an advantage. In Europe, the coach is often paid more than the players and demands the kind of respect that college coaches in America get.

5. Money made in Europe is tax-free, and organizations pay for most your living expenses, including housing and a car.The way it works is the monetary contract you sign with a European club is your net-salary. The club pays taxes, on your behalf, to the country that you play in. The American player then gets credit with the U.S. Government for taxes that were paid (so your money can’t be taxed twice). Players still pay some federal taxes (a small amount) as well as State taxes, according to where they live. The European club will also provide a house/apartment and a car. That leaves only food, gas and cell phone/internet as your expenses. Not a bad gig!

6. NBA plays 82 regular season games in six months, European leagues play 40-60 games over eight months. In Europe, you practice a lot more. Often, you have two practices per day throughout that eight-month season. On average, European teams only play twice a week. In the NBA, you are playing 3-4 (and sometimes 5) times per week, which doesn’t allow a lot of time for team practicing. This might be one of the biggest differences, from a player’s standpoint.

7. Player salaries are significantly higher in the NBA. The average salary of an NBA player is around $4.5 million (pre-tax), and “superstars” make a lot more than that (Kobe and KG make around $18-20 million per year). In Europe, salaries vary between countries, but the best players make around 2-3 million Euros (tax-free)… although there are only a handful of those players. Most are playing for well less than $1 million.

8. Travel/hotel accommodations. In the NBA, every team travels by private plane and stays in the nicest hotels in the U.S. In Europe, teams travel by commercial airline (if a game is far away) or by bus. In Germany and Spain, we’d often take a bus to games that were inside the country.

Casey Jacobsen is a former SLAM High School First Team All-American and NCAA First Team All-American. He currently plays for Brose Baskets in Bamberg, Germany.

[A Lil EnglishParticipant]

The first and 2nd points above was what I was about to say. "That guy" ain’t gona be a 28PPG scorer.

[Scottoant93Participant]

 Sorry did this fron my phone apparently copied the comments too my bad, No Money if you could magically delete about half of it haha

[McDunkin]

Dont worry Euro…Big Sofo has diabetic player of the year on lock

[Author]

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