Over 30 NBA players are going to take part in the Eurobasket tournament that started on Thursday across Europe.
After 5 years in which the European Championship for national teams did not take place, and with the expected arrival of the stars - there is no doubt that this year's tournament is going to provide a lot of interest and quality basketball.
Just before, "Israel Hayom" with the five biggest stars from the best league in the world, who will try to carry their teams to the glittering title.
Nikola Jokic, 27, Denver Nuggets - Serbia
The two-time NBA MVP is about to play in Eurobasket for the first time in his career.
In the last tournament in 2017, he decided not to take part, and in fact the last time he played in the Serbian uniform was in MondoBasket in 2019.
Jokic's participation makes Serbia a leading candidate in the fight for the title, of course he will have great players such as Vasilija Micic and Nemanija Bejlica playing alongside him, but the injury of Bogdan Bogdanovic - an Atlanta Hawks player who will miss the tournament, will put more weight on Chin's shoulders.
In the preparatory games in the Serbian uniform, he looked excellent, and with the European and team style of play he displays in the best league in the world - there is no reason why Jokic will not be the best player in the tournament as well.
If Serbia does not finish on the podium at the championships, it will be a complete disappointment.
This single-leg turnaround by Nikola Jokic in #EuroBasket is UNREAL đ€Żđłpic.twitter.com/aCUGdmgTcd
â NBA (@NBA) August 26, 2022
Giannis Antetokounmpo, 27, Milwaukee Bucks - He
is the second player on the list to win the title of MVP in the best league in the world twice.
The "Greek Freak" returns to the Greek national team after failing to retain the NBA championship title with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Played with the team in two Mondobaskets, and also took part in Eurobasket 2015.
Has yet to explode on the international stage as he does in the US, averaging 14.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game three years ago at MundoBasket. Has been dealing with back and knee pain in recent weeks, but played well against Serbia in World Cup qualifiers, and is expected to be fit Good for the tournament itself.
Yannis.
On the way to becoming the biggest European ever?, Photo: EPA
He seemed to thrive and enjoy the Greeks' warm-up games alongside Nick Clathes, Tyler Dorsey and Kostas Papanikolaou.
There is no doubt that with them he can take the team to the end.
If he does lead Greece to the championship, he will become one to reckon with in the best ever European debate.
Luka Doncic, 23, Dallas Mavericks - Slovenia
at only 18 years old, alongside Goran Dragic, the star of Dallas Borg was important in the victory of the Slovenian national team at EuroBasket 2017. 5 years later, Luka returns to the European tournament, but in a completely different capacity - as one One of the biggest basketball stars in the world, and after a playoff in which he showed record performances in the NBA.
Very committed to his team.
He also led her in the Tokyo Olympics, when he lost with her for the first time in an official match - in the semi-finals against the French team, and then in the match for the bronze medal against Australia.
Unlike Antetokounmpo and Jokic, Luka's support team in Slovenia seems to be less strong.
Dragic is already well past his prime, and apart from him, the reigning champion has no other top European players in the squad - in Dallas Luka manages to do beautiful things even on his own, will he do it in the national team as well?
Doncic.
Comes in a different class, photo: getty
Domantas Sabonis, 26, Sacramento Kings - Lithuania
There is tremendous excitement in Lithuania for the tournament, and the truth is - they seem to have a great reason.
The team from Eastern Europe has the best quality forward line in the championship with Jonas Valanciones and Domantas Sabonis.
Jonas Valanciunas & Domantas Sabonis playfully racing to defense is the wholesome content you need đ
đ„ @TV3Televizija pic.twitter.com/bAi7eCMQG7
â BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) August 18, 2022
The latter, who became a star in the NBA in recent years, moved from the Indiana Pacers to the Sacramento Kings in February and averaged 18.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists in the media.
He was part of the Lithuanian team that finished as European runners-up in 2015, but has yet to have a dominant tournament in the national uniform.
The Kings, who have not reached the playoffs in the NBA for 16 years, believe that Sabonis can be the man to lead them to the end of the longest drought in the history of the best league in the world.
Lithuania has also been counting for 7 years without a single medal on the international basketball stage, and the forward knows he has a lot on his shoulders.
Sabonis.
Will he save the Lithuanians?, Photo: FIBA
Rudy Gover, 30, Minnesota Timberwolves - France
The French star made a sharp turn in his career this summer, when he left the Utah Jazz after 9 years, and moved to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a big trade.
The center, a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, won four medals with the French team, including silver at the Tokyo Olympics.
"It was important for me to reach the championship that my future is known. The fact that Ivan Fournier is also with me is important, with him I am ready to go to war," Gober said before the tournament.
growing.
He has an excellent support team, photo: FIBA
In the absence of the veterans Nando de Colo and Nicolas Batum, Guber and Fournier will be of great importance in the French squad.
Alongside them will play leading Euroleague players such as Gershon Yabusala from Real Madrid, and Eli Okubo who recently signed with Monaco.
If everything goes together for the French, they are a team worthy of a championship.
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