You were great: the five greatest Eurobasket performances in history Israel today

We all saw and admired Nikola Jokic's spectacular basket in Serbia's win over Greece last week.

And indeed, a battle between two MVP winners of the NBA in a game that is a Balkan derby - is a defining moment in time.

But it is not that we are surprised to see superstars from the best league in the world gracing the squads of European national teams.

But while we take such things for granted, this really wasn't always the case.

Until the end of the 80's, and even deep into the 90's, the European Basketball Championship hardly included NBA players.

So when we sat down to compile the list of the five best Eurobasket performances ever by an NBA player, our countdown began less than 30 years ago.

That doesn't mean it was easy.

But the point is not to award some degree here, but to remember great basketball.

One that you don't have to get up for in the middle of the night.

One that even had to pass the Israeli national team on the way.

Dirk Nowitzki - Germany, 2005, silver medal

What did he do?

The MVP of the tournament, the king of baskets (26.1), second in rebounds (10.6), second in blocks (1.9), first in minutes (36.9), record rebounds in the tournament (19 in a game).

Why is it special?

Because apart from him, there was not one player in Germany's squad who would have entered the squad of teams like France, Greece, or Spain - the same star-studded Spain that Germany beat 73:74 in the semi-finals, with Dirk scoring 27 points on the way to the final.

There, against Greece at its peak, Nowitzki's 23 were not enough to give a fight.

And yet, carry to the silver medal a team that without him is satisfied with only qualifying for the tournament.

Nowitzki at his peak, photo: Getty Images

Andrei Kirilenko - Russia, 2007, gold medal

What did he do?

The MVP of the tournament, fifth place in points (18), third in rebounds (8.6), first in steals (2.2) and third in blocks (1.8).

Why is it special?

In 2005 he was tremendous, but Russia only finished seventh.

And she did come to this tournament as a senior team, but no one believed that she would be able to return with the gold from a tournament hosted by the legendary Spain.

In the semi-final he scored 29 in the victory over Lithuania, and in the final it was mainly a historic defensive display by David Blatt's team, against Spain, at home, which ended in a 59:60 victory, and a first title for Russia after the USSR.

Kirilenko.

Bachelor's degree for Russians after the dissolution of the USSR,

Charonas Marchoulionis - Lithuania, 1995, silver medal

What did he do?

The MVP of the tournament, the king of baskets (22.5), and fourth in assists (4.1 per game).

Why is it special?

Because Lithuania was a young team after the dissolution of the USSR, which represents a small country with a population of 3.6 million people at the time. And yet, with Sabonis - still formidable at 31, a second before he became Portland's old rookie - the two led to victories over Mother Russia in the quarterfinals, Croatia is loaded with stars in the half (27 from Marculionis), and in the loss in the final against Yugoslavia, with 32 points from the dynamic guard.

Marcellionis.

Great cooperation with Sabonis, photo: Gettyimages

Tony Parker - France, 2013, gold medal

What did he do?

The MVP of the tournament, the king of baskets (19).

Why is it special?

Because although France was a team with many NBA players in the squad, and after a period in which they were expected to achieve such achievements and they failed... but in this tournament Tony finally took the team on his back.

Although he only scored 12 in the finals, he got his shot at greatness with a 32-point display in the overtime win over Spain in the half.

Pau Gasol - Spain, 2015, gold medal

What did he do?

The MVP of the tournament, the king of baskets (25.6), third in rebounds (8.8), first in blocks (2.3).

Why is it special?

Because at the age of 35, after his Spain won almost every possible medal and title, he still came to the tournament, and not only was he a level above everyone else.

This time he was also a level above his own team - which still had the brightest squad in Europe.

40 points in the victory over France in the semi, on the way to 65 points and 23 rebounds in the Final Four, is a winning dominance the likes of which this tournament has not yet seen.

And the standard that people like Jokic and Giannis are supposed to meet to earn a similar status, at least on this side of the Atlantic.

Gasol.

Great Spanish players of the last generation, photo: FIBA ​​website

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