FIBA World Cup 2014 is here once again. International teams are getting stronger and stronger each year. International Basketball Competition became the recruitment ground of NBA in selecting the best players that will fit to their team. NBA selects only the best players. With this blog, let’s talk about players of each country who qualify the tournament who has an NBA player. These players are each team’s trump card of success in this tournament.
1. Derrick Rose (Team USA)
NBA TEAM: Chicago Bulls
Coming from an injury, this former NBA MVP is probably one of the 5 best players that will play in the league. This tournament will become his stepping ground and proves to all critics that he is really back. Still young and athletic, Team USA will be more exciting with the addition of Derrick Rose.
2. Pau Gasol (Spain)
NBA TEAM: Chicago Bulls
He is one of the best post players in the world. Hosting this year’s tournament, Pau Gasol will prove that he did not became an NBA Champion and All Star for nothing. He age a bit but still has the big man’s posting, shooting and passing skills. He really has a high basketball I.Q. He is now with a new home in Chicago after not resigning to the Los Angeles Lakers.
3. Luis Scola (Argentina)
NBA TEAM: Indiana Pacers
Crafty Power Forward who also plays Center for his country, even though not having a good season in the NBA still scores lot of points in international competitions. Without Manu Ginobili in the line up, Scola will be needed more in able for Team Argentina to win.
4. Tiago Splitter (Brazil)
NBA TEAM: San Antonio Spurs
Coming from back to back NBA Championship appearances, Tiago Splitter improves his game a lot and will surely contribute again fro his country. He produce his best mark in the NBA with 22 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and three blocks with the past 2014 – 2014 season.
5. Anderson Varejao (Brazil)
NBA TEAM: Cleaveland Cavaliers
A good rebounder and defender on the low block, Anderson Varejao performance is a game changer for Team Brazil and will put a big impact to the team’s offense and defense. He is also a good passer big man.
6. Omer Asik (Turkey)
NBA TEAM: New Orleans Pelicans
Omer Asik is a competitive and strong center and perform well during his season in the Houston Rockets. He’s not a true scorer but a good rebounder and good post defender.
7. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)
NBA TEAM: Milwaukee Bucks
Antetokounmpo NBA rookie season is not really impressive. But remember, he is only 18 years old half the season and just 19 years old right now. He’s a good defender and has large potential on offense.
8. Boris Diaw (France)
NBA TEAM: San Antonio Spurs
Without Toni Parker in the line up, the San Antonio Spurs Center/Forward will help Team France on everything. He is very versatile, can do lot in offense and can pass the ball well for his height. If Diaw performs well, Team France will be very dangerous.
9. Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania)
NBA TEAM: Toronto Raptors
Jonas Valanciunas helps the Toronto Raptors reaching a 2nd round play off appearance. He is young and very athletic. He defends the post well. His has very high potential in improving his game. He will be the core player of Team Lithuania underneath the basket.
10. Jose Calderon (Spain)
NBA TEAM: New York Knicks
Jose Calderon recently traded to the New York Knicks from Dallas Mavericks with an impressive 44.9 percent shooting. He can play the point and 2 joining Crafty point guard Ricky Rubio. Jose Calderon is really deadly outside and should be defended by every team well before they regret it.
11. Nene Hilario (Brazil)
NBA TEAM: Washingto Wizards
Nene did not play with the team often because of his injury but now coming back strong. He will play the Center and Power forward position teaming up with Anderson Varejao and Tiago Splitter to make Brazil’s frontcourts one of the best in the tournament.
12. Kenneth Faried (USA)
NBA TEAM: Denver Nuggets
Kenneth Faried is very athletic and will do all the dirty work for the Team USA. Expects to see him dunking all the way and to grab more rebounds for the team
13. Ricky Rubio (Spain)
NBA TEAM: Minnesota Timberwolves
Because of a torn acl injury, Rubio did not play often for their senior team. Getting healthy, Rubio will provide huge impact for the host Spain as he is the best passer in the line up.
14. Rudy Gay (USA)
NBA TEAM: Sacramento Kings
Because of the recent injury of Paul George and withdrawal of Kevin Durant in the team, Team USA pulls the service of Rudy Gay to play the Small Forward position. Aside being athletic and can shoot in the perimeter; Rudy Gay has a very good post game.
15. Andre Drummond (USA)
NBA TEAM: Detroit Pistons
Andre Drummond is one of the best young big men in the NBA right now. He is strong and athletic. Drummond will expect to defend other team’s best big men. The only problem to his game is his perimeter shooting and free throw shooting that other teams should take advantage.
16. Klay Thompson (USA)
NBA TEAM: Golden State Warriors
USA’s legitimate shooting guard aside from James Harden. As he is called one of the splash brothers with Stephen Curry, he is really a deadly shooter but has an inside game. Expect him to shoot many threes this coming tournament.
17. Nicolas Batum (France)
NBA TEAM: Portland Trail Blazers
He is one of the team’s cores with the disappearance of Toni Parker in the line up. He is very athletic with a wide wing span and can defend the perimeter very well. He can also score in many different ways. He is a guy must to defend battling against team France.
18. Kyrie Irving (USA)
NBA TEAM: Cleveland Cavaliers
Irving is one of the best point guards in the NBA right now. He has a good ball handling skills and can scores in many different ways.
19. DeMar Derozan (USA)
NBA TEAM: Toronto Raptors
He is a first time all star in 2013 – 2014 season and help the Raptors reaching the second round playoffs. He can play the 2 and stretch 3 positions, versatile and athletic.
20. Serge Ibaka (Spain)
NBA TEAM: Oklahoma City Thunder
Serge Ibaka has improve his perimeter shooting which makes the Team Spain become more dangerous. He is also one of the best shot blocker in the NBA. He is very athletic and a very good pick for team Spain to make their naturalized player.
21. Mark Gasol (Spain)
NBA TEAM: Memphis Grizzlies
He is a former NBA Defensive player of the year. He is also a very good post player and has a very high basketball IQ. He is also one of the reason why team Spain is the favorite to battle for the championship.
22. Goran Dragic (Slovenia)
NBA TEAM: Phoenix Suns
He is one of the best pick and roll player in the NBA and in international competitions. He is coming from an all star season and will bring Team Slovenia to a good run.
23. Demarcus Cousins (USA)
NBA TEAM: Sacramento Kings
As one of the best Centers in the NBA, Cousins will prove his strength in the world. He is a very good post player and a good defender.
24. James Harden (USA)
NBA TEAM: Houston Rockets
He proclaims himself as the greatest player in the NBA right now. He is one of the best players in the current USA Team because of his scoring ability and passing skills
25. Stephen Curry (USA)
NBA TEAM: Golden State Warriors
He is one of the best point guards in the NBA right now and titled as one of the splash brothers. He has a fast release shot with a very high level of accuracy.
26. Anthony Davis (USA)
NBA TEAM: New Orleans Pelicans
With his wide wing span, he can block shots in many different ways. He also has a very good perimeter shooting and improves his game a lot. He is a member of the team USA who won the Gold in Olympics.
27. Andray Blatche (Philippines)
NBA TEAM: Brooklyn Nets
Team Philippines missed the world cup for a long time. Qualifying the tournament, they acquire the service of naturalized player Andray Blatche who replaces Marcus Douthit. He will become the game changer and a player must watch in this coming tournament.
