Zurab Talakvadze

NBA sends a record number of players at Eurobasket

NBA is sending a record number of players at this edition of Eurobasket.

Group A: 10 active players.

It is mix between some established stars and the ones to prove they do belong in the upper tier as well.

Czechia is represented by Vit Krejci from Atlanta Hawks. A solid two way player with some offensive upside and an average defense.

Well, Estonia is left this time without NBA representative, but still plays a good, watchable basketball.

Latvia is loaded with brotherhood experience (Davis and Dairis Bertans join the NT) of former and the current NBA players in the face of former champion with the Celtics Kristaps Porzingis who will join Krejci in the Hawks locker. Kristaps is the monster.

Portugal unleashes the current member of Celtics Neemias Queta, who can get a double-double in every possible matchup and is the nightmare on the both ends of the floor.

Well, here comes Serbia. The most warriors from NBA. Bogdan Bogdanovic (Clippers), Nikola Jovic (Heat), Nikola Topic (Thunder) and Tristan Vukcevic (Wizards) form one of the best teams ever in the history of Eurobasket. Are we forgetting someone? Well, yes. A guy, who is already considered one the best pivots ever. Enter Nikola Jokic from Denver and the magic he brings on a daily basis. This team is a slayer. This team has enough star power to dominate.

Turkey has Alperen Sengun. A poor man’s Jokic with some defensive upgrade. The Rockets’ center is a trooper. And, Adem Bona (Sixers) is also valuable.

Group B: 7 players.

Finland is one of the four hosts for this event and comes loaded with one of the best tall shooters ever in the face Lauri Markkanen from Jazz. He is the ripper on offense and God knows, where the limitations come from. Almost flawless offensive force.

Germany is the main rival for Serbia. Dennis Schroeder (Kings) is at another level in NT and the guy just loves the challenges of competing against the best. Franz Wagner (Magic) is an established superstar in Orlando and do not counter out always reliable Tristan Da Silva. Also. From Magic. The sky is the limit for Germany.

Great Britain used to have Luol Deng and some other NBA soldiers, but takes a deep breath this time around.

Lithuania gives the key to a new Denver reserve Jonas Valancunas. The rest is up for the grabs. Time will tell.

Montenegro has one of the best attacking beasts at his position and we are talking around Nikola Vucevic. More than 10 000 NBA rebounds is a taken and now we are getting closer to 20 000 points as well. Elegant killer.

Sweden relies on Pelle Larsson from Heat in attempt to reach the new ground and the second round as well. A very good and useful player.

Group C: 8 players.

Bosnia lost a guy named Musa, but gave a green light to a beast called Jusuf Nurkic. Bosnia is not a favorite team to win some gold or any kind of medal, but still, Nurkic is a blade.

Cyprus is just a happy host to grab some experience of getting to come closer to the elite. Next.

Georgia. Goga Bitadze (Magic) is underrated and still highly potent to shine on both ends of the floor. He can lead the tournament in blocked shots. Well, we also have Sandro Mamukelashvili. Former Spur and now a member of Toronto is getting more minutes this season.

Greece has Him. The one and only Giannis Antetokounmpo. The rest never counts and will never will, never will. Giannis is a killer of gods and Giannis changes everything around him. The Greek Freak. Enough said. Next.

Italy has Simone Fontecchio from Heat and some rookie called Saliou Niang. You just never know with these guys.

Spain has a change of colors, as the old guard is leaving and some fresh blood comes around. Santi Aldama is already a force in Heat and Eli John Ndiaye will deliver.

Group D: 10 players.

Belgium is tasty on chocolate. And, this time around there are no players from NBA level on NT. No rush, their time will come.

France has a decent NBA squad. Bilal Coulibaly joins the NT from Wizards. Good enough. Moussa Diabate is a Hornets member and Ousmane Dieng (Thunder) is no slouch either. Add in Zaccharie Risacher from Hawks, Alex Sarr from Wizards and always a force Guerschon Yabusele from his new home called Knicks. The beast waits to be unleashed.

Iceland can be forgiven given the reality.

Israel has the face of Portland Deni Avdija, who has no limits. Ben Saraf comes in as a rookie.

Poland is good enough to win the group, but, this time with no NBA talent.

Well, Slovenia has Luka Doncic from Lakers and Vlatko Cancar from Nuggets, Luka for MVP.