GM SURVEY: International Players

[TMTTRIO]

http://www.nba.com/preview2004/gmsur...rnational.html

NBA General Managers make their picks for 2004-05
GM Survey: International Players

Oct. 28 -- In 2004-05, who will be the MVP? Rookie of the Year? Most improved team? And who's going to win it all?
NBA.com posed these questions and more to the league's general managers, and a high majority of the GM's responded to our survey.* Here's what the guys who call the shots think about the new season.




Dirk Nowitzki Who is the best international player in the NBA?
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas 61.9%
Pau Gasol, Memphis 23.8%
Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento 14.3%






Dejan Bodiroga Who is the best international player not in the NBA?
Dejan Bodiroga, Serbia & Montenegro 31.6%
Sarunas Jasikevicius, Lithuania 26.3%
Luis Scola, Argentina 15.8%
Arvydas Sabonis, Lithuania 10.5%
Others receiving votes: David Andersen, Australia; Fabricio Oberto, Argentina; Kosta Perovic, Serbia & Montenegro






Andres Nocioni Which international rookie is most ready to contribute this season?
Andres Nocioni, Chicago 41.2%
Carlos Delfino, Detroit 17.6%
Andres Biedrins, Golden State 11.8%
Beno Udrih, San Antonio 11.8%
Sasha Vujacic, L.A. Lakers 11.8%
Others receiving votes: Pavel Podkolzin, Dallas






Peja Stojakovic Which player is the best pure shooter in the NBA?
Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento 47.6%
Ray Allen, Seattle 28.6%
Brent Barry, San Antonio 4.8%
Allan Houston, New York 4.8%
Tracy McGrady, Houston 4.8%
Michael Redd, Milwaukee 4.8%
Others receiving votes: Richard Hamilton, Detroit; Reggie Miller, Indiana






Mehmet Okur Which international player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2004-05?
Mehmet Okur, Detroit 14.3%
Mickael Pietrus, Golden State 14.3%
Primoz Brezec, Charlotte 9.5%
Pau Gasol, Memphis 9.5%
Nene, Denver 9.5%
Andres Nocioni, Chicago 9.5%
Manu Ginobili, San Antonio 7.1%
Yao Ming, Houston 7.1%
Others receiving votes: Carlos Arroyo, Utah; Boris Diaw, Atlanta; Gordan Giricek, Utah; Tony Parker, San Antonio; Darius Songaila, Sacramento







RESULTS & SCHEDULE

Oct. 25: Offseason moves

Oct. 25: Position-by-position

Oct. 26: Fun to watch, skills

Oct. 27: Breakout teams, players

Oct. 28: International

Oct. 29: Defense, toughness

Oct. 30: Coaches

Nov. 1: Rookies

Nov. 2: Eastern Conference

Nov. 3: Western Conference

Nov. 4: MVP

Nov. 5: Championship

FAN SURVEY






Who is the best international player in the NBA?
Pau Gasol
Dirk Nowitzki
Peja Stojakovic
Other












(* - Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to the survey, rather than all 30 general managers.)

[xcoriate]

Pavel Podkolzin

For most likely to contribute this season.....

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Pavel Podkolzin



For most likely to contribute this season.....

I'm sure Cuban put that one in.

[Rynospursfan]

(* - Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to the survey, rather than all 30 general managers.)

I was wondering how they ended up w/ 4.8%

I have always enjoyed these GM surveys can't wait to see more.

[Rynospursfan]

Ooo cool thanks for the custom le.

[nzkickass]

Who is the best international player in the NBA?

Sean Marks !

[sickdsm]

What i don't understand is all the hype about the Intl. players in the NBA. Sure, as a team they are tough but we talk about how fundamentally sound they are. OK, that would mean good passing, dribbling and defense are key, right? Taking a look at the top foreign players you have Vlade who can only flop, Dirk and Peja who don't do much defensivly, not to mention peja folds like an origamist when it counts. Tony and manu basically are there but there still so streaky its hard to point to them as a model. I guess there always Pau Gasol.

[totalspurshomer]

That's a good question about the fundamentals of the international players. What I think of when they're refered to as sound fundamental players is:

1. They shoot much better than most American players, who no longer consider learning to shoot a "must do". The best example of this was our Olympic team when we lamented the lack of "A Shooter" or two. O, shouldn't a team full of NBA "stars" have 11 or 12 guys who can successfully execute that ancient fundamental known as shooting? We're too busy dribbling, breaking ankles, dunking, in your face, etc.

2. Basketball IQ. Most of these guys understand team concepts, schemes, causes and effects, and working with a plan. They're Larry Bird types who use their brains first, while most of our players use their athleticism first. At its worst, Americans are wasting their athletic gifts ala poster boy Steve Francis.

3. More often than not, they come with the at ude of blending in with the team and have to be encouraged to be more aggresive and, to a degree, more selfish(Yao) to help offset the athleticism they don't have. The American players often times talk about sacrificing self for the team, but their actions often betray them(Kobe).

The at ude and skills of international players are best exhibited by the style of the Spurs and Pistons where even individual defensive deficiencies are made up for by dedication to a disciplined scheme. Note that Dirk and Peja are on teams that don't have much interest in defensive dedication. How much more could they do on the Spurs or the Pistons?