Home »
Misc »
How many wins does uk basketball have
How many wins does uk basketball have
How UK basketball lost its all-time wins lead over Kansas
With the victory by Kansas and Coach Bill Self over Creighton in Saturday’s NCAA Tournament round of 32, the Jayhawks have tied Kentucky for the most all-time victories in men’s NCAA Division I college basketball history with 2,353. Tony Gutierrez AP
A moment that many Kentucky Wildcats basketball fans have been dreading became reality Saturday.
When No. 1 seed Kansas defeated No. 9 seed Creighton 79-72 in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Region round of 32, it moved the Jayhawks into a tie with UK for the all-time wins lead in college basketball.
Both programs now have 2,353 all-time victories.
Kansas (30-6) began the 2022-23 season four victories behind Kentucky (26-8).
KU’s catching UK capped a relentless march toward the all-time wins lead by Bill Self’s program.![]()
When Self was hired as the head coach at Kansas before the 2003-04 season, the Jayhawks were 47 victories behind Kentucky, seven behind North Carolina and stood third in all-time wins.
With Saturday’s victory, Self has now led the Jayhawks to 10 seasons with at least 30 victories in his 19 seasons as the Jaywawks’ head man.
Two seasons have been particularly damaging to Kentucky in the all-time wins race.
The first was the 2007-08 season, when UK went 18-13 in Billy Gillispie’s first year as Wildcats coach while Self and Kansas were going 37-3 and winning the national title.
Last season, when John Calipari and UK went 9-16 and Self and KU were 21-9, also significantly eroded Kentucky’s all-time wins lead.
Overall in the 13-year Calipari coaching era, Kentucky has won 365 games — an average of 28.1 victories a season.
Yet in the same time frame, Self and Kansas have won 383 games — an average of 29.5 victories a season.
Seasoned UK backers will recall that Kentucky once before lost its status as college basketball’s wins king — only to wrest that title back.
When the Wildcats had back-to-back seasons of 13 (13-19) and 14 (14-14) wins in 1988-89 and ‘89-90, it opened the door for North Carolina to supplant UK as the winningest program.
On March 17, 1990, Dean Smith’s Tar Heels beat Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 32 to assume the all-time wins lead, 1,479-1,478 over Kentucky.
When North Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas all made the 1993 Final Four, the all-time wins totals entering the national semifinals stood 1. Tar Heels 1,568; 2. Wildcats 1,560; 3. Jayhawks 1,515.
However, after Rick Pitino fully rebuilt UK from the ashes of the Eddie Sutton-era NCAA probation, the tide turned back toward Kentucky.
During 1995-96, as Pitino’s best UK team went 34-2 and won the national title, the Wildcats gained 13 victories over North Carolina (21-11 that season) and ended the year back on top in all-time wins by three victories.
The following season, Pitino’s last as UK coach, Kentucky gained seven more wins on North Carolina (35 to 28).
The UK program had been the all-time wins leader ever since.
Long term, the wild card in Kansas catching and, perhaps, soon passing Kentucky is that the NCAA has alleged the KU program has committed five Level One rules violations.
Obviously, Kansas vacating prior wins or receiving sanctions of such severity that its future competitiveness is compromised could have implications in the all-time wins battle.
Making the outcome more uncertain than normal, Kansas has chosen to have its case tried via the NCAA’s new Independent Accountability Resolution Process rather than in front of the traditional Committee on Infractions.
So stay tuned there.
UK ended the current regular season with the same four-win advantage it held over KU at the year’s start.
However, Kansas won three games and the title in the Big 12 Tournament, while UK won only one game and was eliminated by Tennessee in the SEC tourney semifinals.
In the NCAA Tournament, UK was shocked in its opening game by No.
15 seed Saint Peter’s, while Kansas has beaten Texas Southern and Creighton.
Kentucky’s all-time record now stands 2,353-720, while Kansas is 2,353-877. The Jayhawks have played 157 more games than the Wildcats.
With North Carolina’s upset victory over NCAA Tournament East Region No. 1 seed Baylor on Saturday, the Tar Heels remain 33 wins behind Kentucky and Kansas with an all-time mark of 2,320-827.
Kansas can supplant Kentucky as the all-time wins leader when the Jayhawks face Midwest Region No. 4 seed Providence on Friday night in the Sweet Sixteen in Chicago.
This story was originally published March 19, 2022 5:42 PM.
Mark Story
Mark Story has worked in the Lexington Herald-Leader sports department since Aug. 27, 1990, and has been a Herald-Leader sports columnist since 2001. I have covered every Kentucky-Louisville football game since 1994, every UK-U of L basketball game but three since 1996-97 and every Kentucky Derby since 1994.
Support my work with a digital subscription
Why UK Is College Basketball's Greatest Program Ever | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
- Facebook Logo
- Twitter Logo
- Copy Link Icon
Paul Ables@@PaulAblesBRTwitter LogoContributor IIIMay 8, 2012
Why UK Is College Basketball's Greatest Program Ever
0 of 5
After taking home the 2012 NCAA National Championship trophy, the Kentucky Wildcats are yet again the kings of college basketball. It had been 14 seasons since the school won its previous championship, but head coach John Calipari has put the Wildcats back on top of the basketball mountain, and he does not appear to be changing that trend anytime soon.
However, this 2012 championship is not the only reason why Kentucky is college basketball's greatest program. Over the course of the sport's grand history, no other team has achieved more on-court success than the University of Kentucky.
The Wildcats are the leaders or near the lead in nearly every major category of team success, including wins, championships, Final Four appearances, NCAA Tournament success and even fan attendance. The following pages will use statistical and factual reasoning to determine why the University of Kentucky Wildcats are the single greatest program in college basketball history.
2,092 Wins and Counting
1 of 5
As of the 2011-12 basketball season, the University of Kentucky is the all-time wins leader in college basketball with 2,092 victories. Kentucky is also the all-time leader in winning percentage, winning at a .763 success rate. Kansas and North Carolina follow closely behind with 2,070 and 2,065 victories, respectively. Kentucky was the first team to reach the 2,000 victory plateau, and they have extended their lead in this category since then.
This is an impressive statistic to say the least, but simply having 2,092 wins in school history does not tell the full story of Kentucky's dominance over time.
They are the all-time winningest school in college basketball, but the most amazing aspect of their wins record is how consistently excellent the Wildcats have won during each era of basketball.
For example, the University of Kentucky was also the first college program to win 1,000 games in school history. They achieved this feat during the 1968 season, which is remarkable considering the fact that Kentucky was fourth overall in the wins list just 10 years prior to reaching the 1,000 mark. For an excellent illustration of Kentucky's rise up the all-time wins list, be sure to visit the page at BigBlueHistory.net.
With Kentucky being the first program to achieve 1,000 victories and the first to reach the 2,000 victory mark, there is little doubt that the Wildcats have been the most successful program over time. No other university has matched Kentucky's ability to win year in and year out, and even decade to decade.
This is further illustrated by taking a look at the official NCAA record book and examining the winningest programs by decade.
The record begins in the 1930-39 decade, and Kentucky has finished among the top 10 winningest programs in every decade on the list except for the 2000-09 decade.
In fact, here is a list of Kentucky's rank per decade:
1930-39: 2nd-best winning percentage (.827)
1940-49: 1st in winning percentage (.851)
1950-59: 1st in winning percentage (.872)
1960-69: 5th-best winning percentage (.741)
1970-79: 5th-best winning percentage (.764)
1980-89: 9th-best winning percentage (.731)
1990-99: 2nd-best winning percentage (.817)
2000-09: 19th-best winning percentage (.712)
With the exception of the 2000-09 decade, Kentucky has consistently won games at a more successful rate than any other basketball program. Below is a list that totals the number of decades that the following schools have finished in the top 10 winning percentage:
Kentucky: 7 (1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's)
Kansas: 3 (1930's, 1990's, 2000's)
North Carolina: 3 (1970's, 1980's, 1990's)
Duke: 3 (1960's, 1990's, 2000's)
UCLA: 3 (1960's, 1970's, 1990's)
Indiana: 1 (1970's)
As you can see, Kentucky is not only the wins leader in college basketball.
They have been the standard of excellence since the dawn of the sport, and no school has matched their rate of success over the span of basketball history.
8 NCAA Championships & 15 Final Fours
2 of 5
Kentucky is not a one-trick pony. In addition to winning more games than any other college program, they have also won an impressive eight NCAA national championships and made 15 appearances in the Final Four.
Although these totals do not place Kentucky at the top of each respective list, they are very close to the top.
UCLA is the all-time leader in NCAA championships, having won a record 11 titles in their school's history. There is no disputing the fact that the Bruins lead the pack when it comes to championships. However, Kentucky's total of eight championships is well ahead of the other rival schools in the sport.
In fact, here is an updated list of the programs with the most NCAA championships in college basketball:
UCLA: 11
Kentucky: 8
North Carolina: 5
Indiana: 5
Duke: 4
Kansas: 3
Connecticut: 3
As you can see, UCLA and Kentucky have pulled away from the rest of the pack at the moment.
Although UCLA is the leader, here is one interesting fact: the Wildcats are catching up.
The Bruins won 10 of their 11 NCAA titles under coach John Wooden. Without a doubt, the Bruins put together the most impressive championship run of any men's basketball program. It is a feat that is unlikely to ever be repeated and should be commended.
However, those 10 championships occurred during one span, beginning with the 1963-64 title and commencing with Wooden's last championship in 1975. The Bruins did not take home another championship trophy until Jim Harrick's 1995 squad won it all, and they have yet to win another since.
Put this in perspective: UCLA has won one title in the previous 37 seasons. Since that 1975 championship, Kentucky has won four championships, Duke has won four championships, North Carolina has won four championships, Indiana has won three championships and Connecticut has won three titles. For a program that leads the nation in NCAA titles, it is interesting to note that they have not been nearly as successful or as relevant in the sport since the days of John Wooden.
In contrast, Kentucky has won their eight national championships in five different decades, starting with the 1948 NCAA Championship and commencing in this past season's 2012 NCAA Championship. The Wildcats have also won championships in 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996 and 1998.
Even though Kentucky may not have the number of titles that UCLA has, they have won them more consistently over a broader period of time. The Wildcats have continued their tradition of excellence beyond the Rupp era, whereas UCLA has not continued their tradition that John Wooden left in his departure.
In addition to NCAA championships, Kentucky is also near the lead in Final Four appearances. Playing in the Final Four is used to determine how often a program has finished the season as one of college basketball's elite. Here is the list of current leaders in Final Four appearances:
UCLA: 18
North Carolina: 18
Kentucky: 15
Duke: 15
Kansas: 14
Ohio State: 11
Louisville: 9
Indiana: 8
Michigan State: 8
Yet again, UCLA leads the pack and this is to be expected because of their championship tally.
The big surprise here is that the Bruins are tied for the lead with the North Carolina Tar Heels, who are ahead of Kentucky and every other school in college basketball history. Kentucky follows up closely in third place, having gained two of these appearances in the past two seasons under John Calipari.
Although the Tar Heels can certainly brag about making the Final Four more often than Kentucky, it can also be used as a counter-argument against UNC. If a program has advanced to the sport's final weekend three more times than another school, you would expect that school to have appeared in the national championship game more often, let alone having won the title more often.
This is certainly not the case when comparing the two schools. Kentucky has three fewer appearances in the Final Four, yet they have appeared in the NCAA National Final 11 times, which is two more than the Tar Heels' nine appearances. Also, Kentucky has won the NCAA National Championship three more times than North Carolina, as evidenced above.
Kentucky's collection of championships and Final Four appearances rivals that of any other school, and they have the Bruins' top spot in sight.
5 Championship-Winning Coaches
3 of 5
This statistic is arguably the most impressive in determining Kentucky's reign as the greatest program in college basketball history.
As a result of winning the 2012 NCAA National Championship, John Calipari claimed his first national championship as a head coach. More importantly, he became the fifth head coach of the University of Kentucky to win a national title at the school. Following is the list of coaches who have reached the pinnacle of the sport during their time at UK:
- Adolph Rupp: 4 championships (1948, 1949, 1951, 1958)
- Joe B. Hall: 1 championship (1978)
- Rick Pitino: 1 championship (1996)
- Tubby Smith: 1 championship (1998)
- John Calipari: 1 championship (2012)
No other NCAA Division I program can match this feat.
What this proves is that for whatever reason, the combination of resources, tradition, funding, geography, conference affiliation, and education provided by the University of Kentucky surpasses all other schools in terms of providing a head coach with the best opportunity to succeed and win a championship.
There is no clear reason for this, but what is clear is that Kentucky is unique from nearly every other college program in this regards: the majority of their success is not tied up by one dominant coaching run.
In fact, nearly every other top-flight basketball program achieved most, if not all, of their success during one coaching regime. Here is a quick look at how Kentucky compares to other programs:
- Kentucky: Five head coaches have won an NCAA Championship (Rupp, Hall, Pitino, Smith, Calipari)
- North Carolina: Three head coaches have won an NCAA Championship (Roy Williams, Dean Smith, Frank McGuire)
- Kansas: Three head coaches have won an NCAA Championship (Bill Self, Larry Brown, Phog Allen)
- UCLA: Two head coaches have won an NCAA Championship (John Wooden, Jim Harrick)
- Indiana: Two head coaches have won an NCAA Championship (Bob Knight, Branch McCracken)
- Duke: One head coach has won an NCAA Championship (Mike Krzyzewski)
- Connecticut: One head coach has won an NCAA Championship (Jim Calhoun)
As you can see, only three universities have won a championship with three head coaches.
Kentucky stands alone at the top with five coaches owning a championship ring, and this is yet another defining reason why Kentucky is the greatest college basketball program of all time.
1st Overall in NCAA Tournament Appearances, Wins, Sweet 16's and Elite 8's
4 of 5
The University of Kentucky is college basketball's all-time leader in wins, and that success extends to the NCAA tournament.
Kentucky is the all-time leader in the following categories pertaining to "March Madness":
- NCAA tournament appearances: 53
- NCAA tournament wins: 111
- Sweet Sixteen appearances: 39
- Elite Eight appearances: 34
The school's dominance in these categories should not be overstated. Their record of 53 NCAA tournament appearances is nine ahead of any other school. In other words, they have nearly one decade's worth of appearances more than any other program!
However, this is not just because of the longevity of Kentucky's basketball program, which was established in 1903.
While they certainly have longevity on their side, other historic programs such as Kansas (established in 1899), Syracuse (established in 1899) and Indiana (established in 1901) have been around longer than the Wildcats.
Also, Kentucky has played in thousands of games, but they are not the leader in that category. In fact, Kansas, Duke and North Carolina have all appeared in more games than the Wildcats. However, Kentucky still has more appearances in the NCAA tournament than any other school. That in itself is remarkable.
There is one statistic that is worth noting in the above list: out of Kentucky's 39 appearances in the Sweet 16, they have advanced forward to the Elite Eight 34 of those 39 years. No other program has consistently put itself within striking distance of the Final Four than Lexington's finest.
In addition to Kentucky's success in the NCAA Final Four, National Final and National Championship categories, no other school can match the year-in-and-year-out success of the Wildcats in the NCAA tournament.
52 SEC Regular Season Championships & 29 SEC Tournament Championships
5 of 5
The Kentucky Wildcats have won at the highest level during the regular season and the NCAA Tournament over the course of its history. Naturally, this tradition of excellence has extended to conference play as well.
The 2011-12 Wildcats completed a rare and impressive feat this season by winning the SEC Regular Season Championship with a perfect 16-0 record. Going undefeated in the SEC has only happened a few times in school history, and it is one factor of many that showcases the dominance that Kentucky has over the rest of the Southeastern Conference.
In fact, Kentucky is second all time with 52 conference regular season championships. Only the Kansas Jayhawks have won more, tallying 55 conference titles.
However, the Wildcats take the lead with their record of 29 conference tournament championships. They hold a small lead over bitter ACC rivals North Carolina (25 titles) and Duke (24 titles), and the fourth-place team in this category is actually Kentucky's in-state rival, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers with 18 conference tournament titles.
It can be said that Kentucky has enjoyed overwhelming success in the SEC because of the lack of other rivals in the conference. Although it is probable that the Southeastern Conference is not college basketball's best conference, it is still a competitive conference with tough arenas to play in that feature some of the most raucous road environments in college basketball.
Regardless of the conference's reputation, Kentucky has completely dominated the SEC conference since the days of Adolph Rupp and they have been as successful against their conference as any other program in college basketball history.
Whether you choose to measure a program's success via NCAA titles, Final Four appearances, NCAA tournament victories, conference championships, Sweet 16 appearances or regular season wins, Kentucky is either at or near the top in every category. In addition, the Wildcats have been among college basketball's elite in nearly every decade of play.
Regardless of how you choose to rank the greatest teams of all time, the University of Kentucky Wildcats are the greatest program in college basketball history and that trend does not appear to be stopping anytime soon.
🚨 SPORTS NEWS ➡️ YOUR INBOX
The latest in the sports world, emailed daily.
World Basketball Map: UK | VTB United League | VTB United League
In the Basketball Map of the World project, we expand horizons and remember all foreign players in the history of the League, talk about foreign championships and national teams of different countries. Today we will talk about basketball in the UK.
Population : 67.9 million people.
Players in League history : 5.
Full list of players : Michael Lenzley (USA), Ryan Martin, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Ryan Richards, Joel Freeland.
The first Briton in the history of the tournament was Pops Mensah-Bonsu. The athletic center signed a contract with CSKA in January 2010 and managed to play 2 matches for the army team in the VTB United League. Another center from the UK, who came from the NBA to Moscow, Joel Freeland, played for CSKA from 2015 to 2017.
Both basketball players became champions of the VTB United League.
Two players from Great Britain played in the last championship in the VTB United League — centers Ryan Richards (Kalev) and Ryan Martin (Tsmoki-Minsk).
Also in the 2019/20 season, an American player with a British passport, Sasha Killea-Jones, played in Kalev. The 21-year-old Center defended the colors of the UK national team in qualification to the Eurobaste 2021.
Britain in the UK
Liga : British Basketball League (BBL)
,000 League website : http://www.bbl.org.uk/
There are 11 teams in the UK Basketball Championship, ten of which are based in England and one in Scotland (Glasgow Rocks). In addition to the main championship, all clubs also participate in cup competitions - BBL Cup and BBL Trophy.
The league has restrictions on foreign players (no more than 5 non-British players per game), major contracts with BBC Sport and Youtube, its own women's championship (WBBL), as well as two official awards - MVP and Coach of the Year.
Interestingly, the UK Championship is an independent tournament run by the participating clubs. Each team has a representative on the Board of Directors, who is responsible for all decisions regarding league policy, issues and rules.
The last time UK teams competed in European competition was in the 2018/19 season. Then the champions of the country Leicester Raiders stopped at the group stage of the FIBA Europe Cup.
Interesting fact
Legendary Dennis Rodman ended his professional career in the UK Championship. A 5-time NBA champion in 2006, at the age of 45, he played for the Brighton Beers club.
UK National Team
FIBA Rank : 42
FIBA Members : since 2005
Achievements : 2 Olympics, 4 EuroBaskets
The UK team is one of the youngest basketball teams in the world. She joined FIBA only 15 years ago, uniting the teams of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
At the same time, representatives of the latter country have the right to delegate their basketball players to the UK team only for the Olympic Games.
The London 2012 Home Olympics was the most successful tournament for the Great Britain team. The British, represented by Luol Deng, Nate Reinking, Joel Freeland and Pops Mensa-Bonsu, took 9th place in the tournament, remembered for a confident victory over China (90:58) and a hard-fought match against Spain (78:79).
Also in the asset of the UK team 4 participation in EuroBasket (2009, 2011, 2013 and 2017). On the first three occasions, the United Kingdom team finished in 13th place.
The most famous players in the history of Great Britain
Luol Deng . The forward spent 15 seasons in the NBA (902 games, 14.8 points) and twice participated in the League All-Star Game, also participating in the EuroBasket 2011 and the 2012 Olympic Games as part of the national team.
Luol Deng was on the cover of NBA Live 09 and NBA Live 10 in the UK.
Ben Gordon . NCAA Champion (2004), 3rd pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, and the best sixth player in the NBA (2005). Overseas, Gordon spent 10 seasons (744 games), averaging 14.9point per match.
Nate Reinking . The best point guard in the history of British basketball. Reinking played in the NCAA, spent 11 seasons in the British Championship and 5 seasons in the Belgian Championship, and retired at the age of 38 at the London Olympics. Today, Reinking leads the UK national team and G-League club Canton Charge.
Pops Mensa-Bonsu . Champion of the VTB United League and Turkey, winner and MVP of the Eurochallenge Final Four, participant of the D-League All-Star Game. In 2018, the former CSKA center became the general manager of the Capital City Go-Go team from the G-League.
Joel Freeland . 2-time VTB United League champion and Euroleague champion with CSKA.
Freeland also played for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA for 3 seasons.
Dmitry Kolinov
20 best legionnaires in NBA history - Basketball
20. Andrey Kirilenko (Russia)
Teams: Utah, Minnesota, Brooklyn
8 gears
Achievements : All-Star Game (2004), Defensive First Five (2006), Defensive Team Two Seconds (2004, 2005), NBA No. 1 Block Shots (2005)
in Kirilenko's predisposition to European basketball: Andrei is a sprinter, not a marathon runner, and in the NBA championship, which by definition is a marathon, he could not realize himself one hundred percent. On the one hand, this is due to his not high, but still traumatic - Kirilenko missed quite a few matches or often played with injuries, not showing all his capabilities. On the other hand, it is connected with the manner - Kirilenko does not seek to dominate due to high performance, he is a leader of a different plan, but, not being "big", because of this, he can often go into the shadows.
Finally, the main feature of Kirilenko is his sprint mentality. In the rhythm of European basketball with fewer games and even fewer important games or in the rhythm of short international tournaments, he maintains that highest level of intensity that makes him one of the best European players - which means that he overwhelms opponents not only with athleticism, long arms or some technical delights, and above all, attitude and merciless self-confidence. This level of psychological tension, which distinguished AK in the national team and CSKA, manifested itself only sporadically in the NBA: for example, when he was able to score 14 points, 8 rebounds, 9assists, 6 interceptions and 7 blocks and became the only one in recent years who managed to make "5x6" in a game without overtime. The absence of a vital need to tear everyone and burn himself in every match predetermined his career abroad: Kirilenko could not become the first star of Utah and took on the more comfortable functions of a role performer (albeit not agreeing to a completely minor game).
That trend continued this summer, with Kirilenko forgoing more playing time, starting space and money (?) for a title challenge.
19 Luol Deng (Great Britain)
Teams , 2013), the second five defenders (2012), the gentleman of the year (2007)
Deng is the British Kirilenko with a wider attacking arsenal: a phenomenal defender, hard worker, fighter and leader who always remains in the shadows. Even participation in the All-Star Games did not change the main status of the Briton - "the most underestimated player in the NBA": before, Luol remained in the background, as the team did not look the best, in recent years - as completely different people are in focus.
Bulls executives make no attempt to belittle Deng. For them, he is the heart of the team. He is not a leader in attack, although he does a lot, he is not a cornerstone of defense, although he holds back the leaders of opponents, he does not win matches alone, although he has done it more than once, and he is not a leader in the usual sense of the word, although he unites the team in many aspects.
He is the “heart” simply because without him all this might not have happened. It is rather difficult to explain this strangeness, the significance of Deng can only be brought to consciousness by himself - with every step, every gesture, every movement.
18. Hido Türkoglu (Turkey)
Teams: Sacramento, San Antonio, Orlando, Toronto, Phoenix
Statistics: 11.9 points , 2 rebounds, 3.1 assists
Achievements: most advanced player (2008), second player of the finalist team (Orlando)
Turkish Jordan learned the NBA from Adelman, and found himself in Orlando, showing himself a classic case of finding "your team". Point-forward hypostasis, to which the Turk came in the course of his evolution and moving from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic, he was perhaps the best at that time. A viscous but effective dribbling that brings him to the goal in almost three steps, verified penetrating passes, the ability to dominate due to superiority in mass or speed, a strange throw that confuses opponents - Hido's trump cards could have disappeared unnoticed, but it was in the company of the Van Gundy system , hiding his slowness in defense by center Howard and helping him with snipers, they flashed.
The attitude towards Türkoglu has never been overly respectful, and his high position in this case must cause a wry smile. But no matter how dubious the Turk’s merits remain and no matter how the story with the last contract ruined his reputation, his career before him is the perfect proof of how his environment creates a basketball player. Turkoglu was also remembered in the legendary "Sacramento", where he went to the contenders for the best sixth, and acted as the second star of the team in the 2009 final- it turns out, “only the ball changes”, and everything else is only in our heads.
17. Ladurunas Ilgaucas (Lithuania)
teams: Cleveland, Miami
Statistics : 13.0 points, 7.3 selection
Achievements : twice on a match of all stars (2003 , 2005), played in the NBA Finals (2007)
Big Z began his career with a billion injuries that did not allow him to open up, and ended with a symbol of stability - Cleveland's record holder in the number of matches and blocked shots.
If you evaluate Ilgauskas' career according to the usual criteria, you can find too many flaws. Leg problems that crossed out the initial stage of his career deprived the Lithuanian of a number of advantages, the Cleveland vegetative life at the bottom spoiled the impressions of his best seasons, the transformation of the Caves into LeBron's team pushed him into the ranks of the "support group", which always had more questions. That's just in the case of Zydrunas, all attempts to remove the fleas that deprive him of the ideality of his creative path in the NBA are not entirely legitimate. No matter how unrealized the potential of a smart center with a soft brush that knows a lot remains, no matter how unsuccessfully the Caves perform, one simple circumstance determines his career: Ilgauskas is the main legend and symbol of the NBA club.
16. Marc Gasol (Spain)
Teams: Memphis
Statistics : 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.
7 assists 2012), Mr. Castle-2013
When the Lakers traded the younger Gasol to the Memphis, he looked more like a smiling bear cub and did not cause any concern. Therefore, everything that happened in the following years came as a complete surprise to everyone: the Grizzlies floundered and floundered in the Western Conference, which was cruel to managers like Chris Wallace, periodically reminded of themselves only with some absurdities - and then bam - a robbery attack on the Spurs ' changed everything. It turned out that over the years a fighting team had crystallized in Memphis, that the uncompromising warrior Lionel Hollins gave his wards his character, and the fat smiling bumpkin grew into one of the best defensive centers in the league and learned to be the perfect squire for ZiBo.
Gasol's talents, which became the foundation for the most reliable defense of the past season, are not available to everyone. According to a poll of journalists, he easily received the title of the best defender of the year.
Based on the vote of the coaches, he barely got into the second five of the defencists, having received the fewest votes. But whether or not the Spanish center is ready to be put on a pedestal, his importance to the Bears' success and his status as one of the smartest bigs in the league is undeniable. As Randolph ages and the desire to shell out money from the team owners decreases, Mark takes on more and more functions: if at the beginning of the season he focused on safety net and filling in the "paint", then by the end he turned into almost the main playmaker of the "bears" and one of the most important options in attack.
And whatever the change of coach at the Grizzlies means, in the case of Gasol everything is more or less clear: in the coming years he should add even more. No perturbations can overcome him, because the motto of Memphis - grit and grind - has a direct bearing on Mark.
15. Drazen Petrovic (Croatia)
Teams : Portland, New Jersey
Statistics: 15.
4 points
0005 The arrival of defender Dražen Petrović was awaited in the NBA with particular impatience. The Croatian was the leader of the Yugoslav national team, in which he became the winner of the Olympic Games, as well as world and European forums. The sniper was distinguished by outstanding performance, indefatigable enthusiasm and merciless dedication.
Petrovich grew up in a small port town on the Adriatic Sea. All his free time he was engaged in basketball self-teaching. Already at the age of 17, the defender became the leader of the local Shibenka, while being the youngest player in the team.
After serving in the army, Petrovich moved to the most powerful Croatian club - Cibona, where, together with his brother Alexander, he made up the strongest pair of defenders in Europe. In four years, the Zagreb team has won many trophies, in particular, two Champions Cups. In the match of the national championship-85/86 against Olimpia, Drazen scored 112 points (40/60 from the game).
Soon after this, the performer with artistic abilities began to be called "basketball Mozart."
Petrovich was drafted by Portland in '86 but joined the Oregonians just before season 1989/1990. After spending two years with the Blazers, Drazen moved to New Jersey. Here he began to open up. Like many European colleagues, the sniper did not shine with defensive skills, but redeemed this shortcoming with feats on someone else's half of the site. Petrovich earned fame as one of the best truckers in the Association. After the 1992/1993 championship, the Croatian, who became the most productive player in the "networks", got into the third NBA team and was considered a rising star in the league.
In the summer of 1993, Petrović joined the Croatian national team for the qualifying tournament for the European Championship held in Poland. On June 7, after another successful match, the 28-year-old defender, along with his fiancee Clara Shalanzi, as well as her friend, were heading to Germany.
It was raining and the road was slippery. At about 5:20 pm, the Volkswagen Golf, driven by the basketball player's girlfriend, collided at high speed with an out-of-control truck. The girls, who received numerous injuries, survived, but the unfastened Petrovich, who was sleeping in the passenger seat, died.
“It may be difficult for you here in America to understand the full extent of this loss. You have many great players in your country. But Croatia is a country of four million people. Having lost it, our basketball took three steps back,” said the brother of the star, Alexander Petrovich.
In 2002, Drazen Petrovic was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
14. Rick Smits (Holland)
Teams0005 Achievements : All-Star Game (1998), played in the 2000 Finals
Rick Smits is the Bill Laimbeer of the poor, but the Pacers fans naturally adored him. The eccentric center, remembered mainly for his hair, blonde hair, the coolest nickname "Dunking Dutchman" and thus the game-winning shot in the 4th game with Orlando, quickly became the main favorite - he was the second star of the team and the main argument against the dominant centers of the East (to Fortunately for the Pacers, there weren't very many.
) Already in series 9On the 3rd with the Knicks, Smits averaged 22.5 points against Ewing and then it only got better: the Dutchman was ideally suited to the Pacers' system, built around Miller's shots, and at the same time he could not feel miserable on the shield, so how he got help from tough and aggressive forwards. So Indiana found the best sides of Smits: his mobility, which allowed him to use him far from the basket, a shot from a distance that stretched the defense, game intelligence and sometimes phenomenal agility for such dimensions - a pass from behind, which Smits gave at the All-Star Game - 98 to Jason Williams, even now is nothing short of astonishing.
The native of Eindhoven, rather, justified his second peak: remaining in sight throughout the second half of the 90s, the Pacers always loomed somewhere near the top, and Smits's merit here is enormous. He also caught the breakthrough of 2000, but not as one of the stars of the team: leg injuries caused by the fact that Rick wore smaller sneakers as a child finally finished off his career and prevented him from helping Indiana in the final with the Lakers ".
Defeat meant Smits' departure and restructuring.
Photo: Fotobank/Getty Images/Glenn James/Glenn James/ Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE
13. Toni Kukoch (Croatia)
Teams : Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta Milwaukee
Stats : 11.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists
Accomplishments : Three-time NBA champion (1996-98), best sixth man (1996)
On the one hand, Kukoch was incredibly lucky: he had a chance to play with the greatest in basketball and raise the championship title three times over his head. On the other hand, the high expectations and constant pressure associated with this made his stay in Chicago not so joyful. As Parker was brought to tears by Gregg Popovich, so Kukoch had to go through a school of tempering character: the hatred of teammates Jordan and Pippen, who constantly offered him more meat with pepper, the harsh pressure of Jackson, who reproached him for softness, a change in role.
Kukoc has become an example of a typical European player with his shortcomings: weakness of character, gentleness, lack of aggression and a crazy thirst for victory. From the main star of Europe, he turned into the best sixth player (a mocking title for Kukoch), and from the most smiling basketball player in Europe into a gloomy guy looking for himself. But in the end, a lot still happened: his role in winning the second Jordan three-pit is beyond doubt.
Another thing is that a lot is far from being everything. Kukocha was selected in the '90 draft, and in subsequent years, Bulls general manager Jerry Krause risked the integrity of the championship team to still get the Croat: then it seemed that a phenomenal forward with a good shot, excellent vision and a brilliant pass was the white Magic Johnson , which will give "Chicago" much more than Jordan. When he nevertheless arrived in 1994, it gradually turned out that the expectations were too high: the star role was given to the Croatian exclusively in conjunction with Jordan and Pippen and only in the model that Phil Jackson offered him.
Neither before nor after Kukoch was able to become a full-fledged player in the starting line-up, and given how universally talented he looked within the Big Trio, for most, such dissonance was due to psychological difficulties and problems with adaptation. Not to mention the fact that Jackson's taunts, reproaching Kukoch for playing much better when his mother watches the Chicago matches in Croatia, have turned into legends.
12. Predrag Stojakovic (Serbia)
Teams : Sacramento, Indiana, New Orleans, Toronto, Dallas
7 rebounds, 40 percent three-pointers
Achievements: NBA champion (2011), three-time All-Star Game, the second symbolic five (2004), two-time winner of the three-point contest (2002-2003)
it would be brushed aside if it didn't come from Larry Bird. In his best years, Predrag Stojakovic was so convincing that he did not even leave the Legend a choice.
The golden age of Peugey - "Sacramento", created by Rick Adelman.
In such a European spirit focused on the movement of the ball, on a team altruistic basketball team, his best qualities were in demand like nowhere else: Stojakovic threw opponents with three-point bombs, helping Divac and Webber to clear the rubble under the shields - those who survived after endless false swings did not have chances. In the 2003-04 season, Stojakovic set personal bests in points, rebounds, steals and blocks, finished fourth in MVP voting, second in the league in scoring, and spawned one of the biggest "what ifs" in Kings history: what, if Chris Webber had not returned to the 2004 playoffs and pushed the Peja.
Stojakovic's shot was already legendary back then: he hit 100 attempts at a time in practice and somehow hit 87, he set a league record by opening a game for the Hornets with 20 consecutive points, he left the three-point contest twice. His strengths and weaknesses were so transparent that none of the teams he ran for ever questioned exactly how to use him.
Stojakovic's shot did not fade, he simply lost in the fight against a failing organism: back in Sacramento, and then in New Orleans, the striker was covered by a series of injuries, as a result of which he ended his career in advance. But before hanging his sneakers on a nail, he once again shook the old days: in the composition of Dallas, close in spirit to that “Sacramento”, Stojakovic won a championship ring for himself. Even in his last season, the Serb remained at his main weapon and in some matches of the 2011 playoffs he reminded himself of himself with an extravaganza indistinguishable from the heroes of the past.
11. Detlef Schrempf (Germany)
Teams : Dallas, Indiana, Seattle, Portland
Statistics : 13.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists
Achievements : 3x All-Star (1993, 1995, 1997), 2x Best Sixth Man (1991-92), 3rd All-Star Team (1995), Finalist (1996)
Actually, Detlef Schrempf became famous as the owner of the largest member in the NBA.
But for those who are embarrassed by exceptionally athletic superiority, the German also had something to offer: the owner of an army beaver played to match him - disciplined and maximally mobilized, he came out in a variety of positions, included those skills that his team needed most of all, although he always claimed more.
Schrempf could do it all: running, throwing, including from behind the arc, centering, passing, rebounding, defending - it was thanks to his versatility that he initially made himself known when he received two titles of the best sixth in Indiana. Moreover, from the moment he first appeared in Dalallas, he became famous as a dunker - Schrempf began playing basketball after 14, when he came to the USA on an exchange, and, as they said then, “didn’t know how to play white." Over time, he got better - he became stronger and at the same time did not lose speed (Detlef often recalled how he had to defend against Jordan one day and against Malone the next), added a more stable three-pointer to his arsenal (playing in one team with Reggie Miller had such unexpected consequences), finally found a main position and a team with which he will remain in history.
Schrempf turned out to be the perfect teammate for Kemp, Payton, Perkins and Hersey Hawkins - from their combination of strengths, the only team that could beat Jordan's Chicago was born. And it was Schrempf, the first European star in the history of the NBA, with his versatility, understanding of the interests of partners and focus on winning, who turned a good team into a serious contender for the title.
10. Rolando Blackman (Panama)
Teams: Dallas, New York
Stats: 18.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists
Achievements
four All-Star Games (1985-87, 1990)
Legionnaire Blackman was still conditional: Rolando grew up in New York and went to study in Kansas State as flesh from the flesh of the Big Apple street playgrounds. When he got to Dallas, he began the most glorious era in the history of the team until the appearance of Mark Cuban and Dirk Nowitzki - their duet with Aguire was considered one of the most dangerous in the league, Blackman himself was known as one of the most dangerous and cold-blooded snipers, and " Mavericks began to be listed among the contenders.
As usual, the lack of significant victories spoiled the impression of Blackman's game. Either they lacked one game to get past the Lakers in the conference finals, or they managed to fly into Seattle as one of the main favorites ... Blackman was one of the most important players for that team, thundered with his scoring exploits, was marked by key hits - but vegetating in the shadows affected not only his team, but also him personally. Now that his record for most points for the Mavericks has collapsed after 18 years, and Nowitzki has officially surpassed him as the best player in the club's history, Blackman's uniqueness is only reminded by a T-shirt under the arches of the palace and cutting with winning balls.
9. Arvydas Sabonis (Lithuania)
Teams: Portland
stats: 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds
basketball. The Lithuanian center was invited to the NBA twice. For the first time in the 82nd, after the triumphant World Cup for the Soviet team.
But in those days on the territory of the USSR one could not even think about such things. In the 86th Arvydas was drafted by Portland, but for various reasons, the giant joined the Pioneers only nine years later, at 1995 year.
Sabonis, who became world champion at 17, moved overseas at the age of 31. By this time in Europe, the center was already recognized as a living legend. The Lithuanian has won almost all available trophies, both at the club and international level. The fifth number, who had a height of 222 cm, could also boast of a significant collection of personal awards.
There is an opinion that Sabas, endowed with the rarest talent, should have become one of the largest centers of the Association, if it were not for his age, which is respectable by sports standards, and the heap of various injuries and sores attached to it. But, despite these natural obstacles, the “rookie” who exchanged his fourth decade left his mark on the NBA.
Sabonis spent seven seasons with strong Portland and made the playoffs with his team every year.
The highest achievement in the American career of Arvydas was the 1999/2000 championship, when the Oregonians made it to the Western Conference finals, where they lost to the future champions Lakers only in a seven-game series.
The Kaunas native was one of the first seven-footers to hit confidently from behind the arc, and he also had a unique understanding of the game that put him among the best big passers in league history.
We can only imagine what a dominant force Sabonis would have become had he started his NBA career at a more appropriate age…
8. Vlade Divac (Serbia)
Sacramento
Statistics : 11.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks
Achievements: All-star game (2001), participant in the finals (1991)
-x was also noticed by the leaders of the NBA clubs. The center of the Balkan team, Vlade Divac, turned out to be one of six representatives of the silver medalists of the 1988 Olympics who moved to the overseas league.
At the draft-89The Serbian became the first foreigner drafted by the great Lakers.
Just in those years, the Californians, for a long time one of the strongest teams in the Association, began to experience a decline. In 1989, Abdul-Jabbar ended his career, and Divats was given a rather difficult task - to replace perhaps the best number five in the history of basketball.
The Serbian big man quickly enough became the main center of the Lakers and became one of the leaders of the team. But the updated franchise did not reach its former heights, as a result of which the management decided on a large-scale reconstruction. The Lakers invited Shaquille O’Neal to the “five”, and Divats was sent to Charlotte, in exchange for the rights to a seventeen-year-old boy named Bryant ...
After the end of the lockout in the 98/99 season, Vlade joined Sacramento. Together with compatriot Predrag Stojakovic and forward Chris Webber, the center formed a magnificent front court that managed to pull a modest club out of oblivion and raise it to the level of one of the strongest in the entire NBA.
Probably, many basketball fans associate Vlade Divac with the word “flopper”. It is foolish to argue with this - the Serb really loved to “draw” fouls and noticeably succeeded in this kind of “creativity”. Yet these dubious efforts do not detract from his outstanding basketball merit. Vlade became one of the first Europeans to have influence in the Association. It is also worth saying that the colorful Divac has always been in the spotlight, enjoyed love and respect among partners and fans. A charming, open basketball player often appeared on various TV shows, gave interviews and even acted in films.
On March 31, 2009, the Kings memorialized the center's 21 number to honor his outstanding contributions to the California club. In the same year, Divac was elected chairman of the Serbian Olympic Committee.
7. Yao Ming (China)
Teams: Houston
Stats: 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 blocks
8000 participated in the All-Star Games (2003-2009, 2011), twice in the second symbolic team (2007, 2009), three times in the third symbolic team (2004, 2006, 2008)
Yao Ming is perhaps the main revelation in the history of the NBA: the Chinese center has gone from "a miserable hostage of terrorists" to "Bill Walton of our time.
" I still remember the untrustworthy footage from the draft: the CBA agreed to give Yao permission to play in America only on the day of the draft, and the whole atmosphere of nervousness only added to the doubt that anything worthwhile would come of this project. He is not a basketball player, but just tall, most thought, and even Charles Barkley - you know yourself ...
When Yao Ming announced his retirement in 2011, it did not come as a shock just because everyone understood that everything was going to this. Over the years in the NBA, mutilated by constant injuries, the Chinese changed the league, made a noise in the voting and broadcast ratings through the roof, remained forever in memes, scared Shaq so much that he fled to the East, and proved that growth is an ambivalent factor, and his basketball skills are completely different. Yao Ming was born for basketball (his basketball parents almost deliberately agreed to “create” a superstar), but perhaps the most significant quality of him is his constant desire to grow and progress: over the years in America, Yao Ming has become much more powerful, added to shot and understanding of the game, he found the best use of his talents as an assistant and reached the level of the best centers in the league.
Only at the stage when the duet of them and Timak was supposed to go on a victorious campaign, self-improvement turned into the process of keeping your body from self-destruction. Bill Walton had time to spend the season of his life, Yao Ming never got that opportunity.
In 2012, the Chinese media raised the issue of inducting the center into the Basketball Hall of Fame, but he himself asked for a delay in the review process.
Yao Ming continues to work on himself, but now in other areas. At the same time, he runs his own club at the KBA, cooperates with the NBA as part of the Basketball Without Borders program, conducts other charity events and saves elephants and white rhinos.
6. Dikembe Mutombo (DR Congo)
Teams : Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, Houston
Statistics : 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.8 blocks
Achievements: four times “Mr. , 2x league top rebounder (2000-2001), 3x league top blocker (1994-96), 2nd all-time team (2001), 2x all-time 3rd team (1998, 2002), 3x top 5 defensemen, 3x top 5 defensemen
It's funny, but Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, who for simplicity began to be referred to as Dikembe Mutombo, never dreamed of a basketball career.
Deke, the son of the minister of education in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, studied at Georgetown University, planning to become a doctor and leave for the Black Continent in order to devote himself to serving the Motherland.
But one fine day an African decided to look into the sports hall of a famous educational institution. The lanky student attracted the attention of local basketball coach John Thompson. In a conversation with a coach, Mutombo frankly admitted that throwing a basketball was not on his list of life priorities, but the venerable mentor still managed to persuade him to join the university team. Idle interest forever changed the life of Dikembe.
The 120-pound seven-footer has gone down in NBA history as one of the best inside guards. Amazing physical data and competent preparation allowed Mutombo to excel four times in the honorary nomination of the defender of the year. The formidable African enthusiastically surrendered to the hard fight under the shields.
Deke is recognized as the top blocker (only Hakeem Olajuwon is ahead) and rebounder of the Association. The center's famous gesture - an instructive shaking of the index finger after the next "banana" - terribly annoyed the unlucky rivals and became a kind of calling card.
No. 4 of the '91 draft pick has had an outstanding career behind him. Mutombo played until the age of 42, playing a total of 18 seasons in the NBA. As part of Philadelphia, Deke reached the main series of American basketball, in which the 76ers lost to the Lakers. Bigman was an eight-time All-Star and was named to various All-Star Teams multiple times.
A native of Africa for many years actively engaged in works of mercy and helping others. Now Mutombo is involved in numerous charitable programs, builds hospitals, oversees foundations, and is also a youth emissary for the UN Development Program. The native Congolese who speaks nine languages has six children, four of whom were adopted.
5.
Manu Ginobili (Argentina)
team : San Antonio
Statistics : 14.9 points, 3.9 selection
: three times champion: three times champion NBA (2003, 2005, 2007), Finalist (2013), 2x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Three (2008, 2011), Best 6th Man (2008)
Manu grew up in a basketball family. His brothers played at a professional level. My father was a coach in the local Bahia Blanca team, where the future star quickly mastered the basics of basketball. In Ginobili's hometown, the best ball game developed at a rapid pace. Young Emanuele idolized Michael Jordan. The choice of profession did not raise questions.
The 57th pick in the 1999 draft had an amazing record. He became the second player after Bill Bradley to win an NBA championship, the Olympics and the Euroleague. In all teams, Manu was in the lead roles. Listing the numerous regalia and awards of Ginobili is a long and laborious task.
Ginobili is a special player.
One of those who is gifted from above with a piece of basketball genius. And this is the only thing to understand when trying to assess his place in the history of the league and the club. It is believed that when an Argentine is healthy, motivated, in good shape and, accordingly, gives out his best basketball, he is in no way inferior to either Kobe Bryant or Dwyane Wade. There is no point in arguing this thesis - the way it really is.
Even after the 2013 final, in which Manu suddenly looked older and seriously thought about retirement, the Spurs offered him a contract that at the moment looks too generous. Perhaps Gregg Popovich knows something about the biological clock of the Argentine that is not available to the rest. Or maybe the club just wants to keep Ginobili until the very moment when the jersey with his number ascends under the arches of the AT&T Center.
4. Tony Parker (France)
Teams : San Antonio
Statistics : 17.
1 points, 6.0 assists
Achievements : Three-time NBA champion (2003, 2005, 2007), Finals MVP (2007) Finals (2013), five times All-Star Game, twice All-Star Team Two (2012-2013), once All-Star Team Three (2009)
Like most foreign NBA stars, Tony Parker's journey has been an extraordinary journey, during which the point guard has changed almost beyond recognition. In his first practice with the Spurs, before the draft, he lasted 10 minutes when he was eliminated by Spurs scout Lance Blanks. In the early seasons, Popovich attacked him in a way that few others have, once bringing him to tears. His position in the team remained unstable for a long time, and even in championship seasons, Popovich changed his strategy in the playoffs, preferring proven veterans over Parker in decisive stretches. Finally, in 2003, the Spurs offered a huge contract to Jason Kidd and seemed to have to kill all the remnants of confidence in the little French kid.
It turned out differently: that work with Parker - work primarily on the shot - which bore relative fruit in 2007, when the quick-footed playmaker blew up Cleveland in the finals, was carried out with a long-term perspective.
Since 2008, Popovich began to change the system of the team's game, gradually building it around Parker: endless pick-and-rolls with a pass under the shield or a discount for sniper throws became the new face of the rebuilt team, and the nimble kid not only ceased to associate exclusively with Eva Longoria, but also began to appear next to the best point guards in the league. At first it was said in a whisper, then louder and louder.
Last season was the strongest in Parker's career. He came close to the second MVP title of the finals, and not fallen from heaven, but quite deserved (which may be due to an injury), he proved that in the modern league a point guard can make a team as the first star, if not a champion, then at least a finalist, and along the way proved its superiority over any competitors.
3. Pau Gasol (Spain)
Teams : Memphis, Lakers
Statistics : 18.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists
Achievements year (2002), twice in the third symbolic team (2009-2010)
Gasol was born in Barcelona, Spain.
Pau's basketball career began in teams with the sonorous names Albirne and Cornella. In the 2001 draft, the European was selected with a high third number by the hawks from Atlanta. Soon the big man was traded to Memphis for Sharif Abdur Rahim.
The debut of the Spaniard in the strongest league in the world drove the leadership of Atlanta into a deep depression. Gasol immediately began to demonstrate a productive, useful game that allowed him to receive the title of rookie of the year.
In the 2003/2004 season, a series of 240 matches played in a row was interrupted due to injury. But Gasol recovered, and in the same year, Memphis made the playoffs for the first time in history. The Grizzlies managed to repeat this success two more times in a row, but in the relegation matches they acted as contemplators, losing all the series of the 1/8 finals dry.
In Memphis, Gasol conscientiously endured six and a half seasons. During this time, he managed to completely rewrite the local book of records, excelling in 12 main indicators.
It has long been clear to everyone that in Tennessee the Spaniard has reached his ceiling. The Lakers also understood this very well, who desperately needed a strong “big” to replace the injured Bynam. The strange exchange caused a lot of gossip. But the happy Gasol had already packed his bags and flew to California.
In his first game for Los Angeles, Pau recorded a solid double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Gasol quickly settled into the new team. The Lakers made it to the final, but, having got from the ship to the ball, the Spaniard failed in the decisive matches, outright losing the duel to Garnett.
With magnificent, classic dimensions, Gasol is unusually mobile and hardy. He loves to lure his opponents out of the box and then easily dispatches them, being adept at passing both ways. The Spaniard instantly punishes a slow opponent with his high-precision weapon - a stable throw from an average distance. Pau's ability to "draw" fouls in the NBA is legendary.
Gasol constantly uses his high basketball IQ. At any moment he is able to stun the opponent's defensive formations with a sharp discount.
By the age of 30, Gasol reached the optimal level and matured. In the 2009 final, he took revenge on his offender Kei G. The duel on the “four”, won by the bearded European, largely decided the outcome of the confrontation in favor of the Lakers. The Spaniard is no longer accused of being too soft, as it used to be. His current style is rather elegant, subtle. At the same time, Pau gained self-confidence, it is impossible to push or break him just like that. The striker's impact on the game of NBA champions was enormous. In fairness, it was Gasol who deserved the title of MVP of the 2010 finals.
The Spaniard managed to change the negative opinion about himself, but not for long. Subsequent experiments - first with Bynam, then with Howard - pushed the Spaniard into the background and forced him to leave the fifth place, which seems to him more suitable.
Fortunately for Gasol and everyone else, the endless and third-year-long rumors of a trade will end very soon: and given how enthusiastically Kobe is trying to keep the Spaniard in the Lakers, it is not certain that they will end with a trade.
2. Steve Nash (Canada)
Teams : Phoenix, Dallas, Lakers
stats: 14.4 points, 8.5 assists
All-Star Game, 3 All-Star Team, 2 All-Star Team Two, 2 All-Star Team Three, 5-time NBA All-Star Assist
Stevie's path was predetermined: father, sister and brother played football with varying degrees of success, mother was in to the England national netball team. Nash himself at first enchanted on the green fields, but still decided to focus on basketball.
In his state at the school level, Nash stood out among his peers, but this did not attract the attention of American student coaches. Letters of recommendation from the first coach, Steve, were sent out to 30 colleges at once, but only one of them bothered to answer.
Santa Clara University mentor Dick Davey, having carefully studied the records of Nash's game, went to personally look at the promising young man. “I was terribly nervous, hoping that no one else saw this. You didn't have to be a Nobel Prize winner to realize that the Canadian guy is damn good. I wanted to believe that none of the larger teams had yet seen him in the game, ”Davey’s words make it clear that Nash made a lasting impression on him.
Other teams did not see the Canadian. Steve spent several years in Santa Clara, but did not achieve any special achievements at the university level. In 1996, Nash entered the draft and was selected 16th overall by the Suns.
Nash is 40 years old, still playing and still commands a lot of respect. Surely Steve himself has already regretted many times that he agreed to move to the Lakers, even if it was due to family circumstances. But it is unlikely that fans of his talent have any doubts about whether he should have continued: even at this age, the Canadian sometimes makes a holiday out of basketball.
(Also, the defeat of the Lakers is a doubly holiday.)
An outstanding player can easily be put on a par with the best point guards in the history of the NBA. Over the years, the Canadian has consistently maintained the highest level, despite chronic back problems: Steve became the best assistant of the championship four times and was twice recognized as MVP of the regular season. In addition, Nash constantly gets from rivals. It is unlikely that Steve will be able to tell you how many times he was given black eyes or his face was smashed - he himself has long lost count.
In his career, you can begin to place certain points. For example, it is clear that Nash will no longer become a champion. Actually, he himself never really aspired to this: the Canadian especially did not want to move to a stronger team in order to be able to fight for championship rings, always repeating that there are more important things for him, for example, work with youth and development promising partners.
Yes, and it has always been clear that you need to appreciate what Nash does on the court, not by regalia and rings, but by a specific moment: those seconds of euphoria that his game gives are perhaps much more valuable than anything else.
1. Dirk Novitski (Germany)
team : Dallas
Statistics : 22.6 points, 8.2 selection, 2.6 programs
Achievements: Champion of the NBA (2011 ), Finals MVP (2011), MVP of the season (2007), team's first star in the finals (2006), 11 times in the All-Star Games, 4 times in the first symbolic team, 5 times in the second symbolic team, 3 times in the third symbolic team
Born in Wurzburg, Germany, Dirk grew up in the most athletic family ever: mother Helga played professional basketball, father Jörg-Werner played for the German national handball team. The older sister Silke was also fond of basketball and now serves in the television structures of the NBA.
There was no doubt that Dirk would play sports. The question was only in the form that he would like. Nowitzki initially signed up for handball and tennis. But he stood out very much among his peers with his height. It got to the point that Dirk was teased and insulted. Away from sin, the blond young man transferred to the basketball section.
An important role in Nowitzki's life was played by the former player of the German basketball team Holger Geschwinder. The coach immediately saw the huge potential hidden in the guy. Having received the consent of the parents, Holger took up individual three-time sessions with the giant. The training scheme proposed by Geschwinder differed from traditional programs: the coach emphasized the throw and the development of assisting skills, ignoring physical and tactical training. Holger Geschwinder acted as a kind of guru for Nowitzki. He insisted that the student develop in all directions, devote his free time to reading literature and playing musical instruments.
A year later, Geschwinder was so impressed with Nowitzki's progress that he suggested that he switch to a daily schedule. “Dirk, you have to decide if you want to be one of the best players in the world or a local god. If you choose the latter, we will immediately stop training, because even now in Germany, hardly anyone will interfere with you. But if you want to play against the strongest basketball players, then you need to practice daily.” Dirk thought for two days. You probably already guessed what decision he made.
Holger Geschwinder was right. Dirk plays among the strongest basketball players in the world, while he himself is one of them. Nowitzki is a unique striker. With a height of 213 cm and a weight of 111 kg, he is able to perform in three positions at once. Bigman is not just nicknamed "German machine gun" - he is one of the best shooters in the league. Nowitzki throws incomparably free throws. In 2006, the striker won the long-range shot competition. The deadly accuracy of his homing "jumpers" from any position inside the three-point arc makes this seven-footer an exceptionally difficult player to mark.
