Shams Charania:
Just in: Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has sustained a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee and is expected to miss multiple weeks, sources tell ESPN. Results showed Edwards avoided any ligament damage, but he will now miss time.
https://www.espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/48ae8d6c475bc
A raíz de la publicacion de ayer, en la que todos nos animamos (cual cuñados) a emitir nuestro juicio sobre si el argentino haba o no Chino, le he preguntado a Chat GPT al respecto, y, en efecto, desmiente al jugador:
"No hay registros oficiales ni declaraciones de Luis Scola que confirmen que hable el idioma chino con fluidez, más allá de haber jugado allí en los Shanghai Sharks y compartir momentos con figuras como Yao Ming.Si quieres, dime si te interesa saber más sobre la etapa de Scola en el básquet de China o sobre su carrera deportiva.".
Dejo aquí el hilo abierto para que descarguemos nuestro cuñadismo aquí, y así dejamos de criticar a Khawi.
The NBA has found no evidence showing LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard in order to circumvent the salary cap, according to three people with knowledge of discussions between the two sides in recent days.
Instead, the NBA is focused on whether the team's introduction of Leonard to team sponsors constitutes a violation of the league's rules prohibiting salary cap circumvention, two of the sources said. The league is examining whether the Clippers are guilty of "failure to supervise" employees, though it's unclear what specific rule the team would have violated or what the penalties would be, two of the sources said.
…
Two sources with direct knowledge of the situation said Leonard has maintained to the NBPA, league and Wachtell Lipton that he had no involvement in salary cap circumvention, and so far conversations around potential consequences have centered on him paying restitution for potential improper benefits from the Clippers, such as travel and lodging, for his representative and uncle Dennis Robertson.
If the case goes to arbitration, the arbitrator could compel document production, witness testimony and order discovery. After a hearing, the arbitrator's ruling would be subject to an appeals panel made up of three people jointly appointed by the NBA and NBPA. The appeal panel decision is binding. Only after that process could Silver be authorized to issue any potential punishment.
Hay personas que no tendrían que morir y Juan Tamariz fue, dicen hoy las noticias, una de ellas.
Sus frases únicas, la voz tranquila de quien sabes que te llevará de la mano a buen puerto, a la sonrisa y a esa esquiva y elusiva muchacha que es la felicidad.
Casi todos hemos tenido bicicleta, y como muchos tuve también de pequeño aquel Magia Borrás con el que hacía desaparecer monedas porque en el plato de plástico había una ranura para ocultarlas o hacerlas aparecer. Y una varita mágica muy molona.
Seré tonto, pero me he emocionado un poco pensando en que era poco menos que inmortal. Pero cómo se va a morir este tío ya, con la cantidad de hijos de puta sueltos que hay por ahí.
Alguna vez me pregunté por él y estuve buscando sus trucos de cartas y encontré magos extranjeros comentando sus trucos y diciendo que es el mejor que habían visto nunca con cartas. Si no has visto el de las 4 cartas azules, hay varios en Youtube, ya estás tardando. Es increíble. Ese juego lo tiene todo: ritmo, su humor, asombro, y claro, magia. A su lado lo de Harry Potter es de becario:
https://youtu.be/ckHobbTbynw?is=T7vE2RNvDX5tkSC5
Lo recuerdo en el 1,2,3 y luego con Buenafuente, y por supuesto de vez en cuando aparecía en algún que otro programa y decías anda, y me quedaba absorto, viendo qué hacía, qué iba a pasar.
Y ese violín invisible maravilloso con el que acababa sus shows y despertaba nuestro niño interior y, por unos instantes, toda la mierda del mundo no existía.
Cuando por casualidad lo volvías a encontrar en la TV lo mirabas pensando: y qué truco hará ahora, con la curiosidad del que va a ver algo imposible convertirse en posible.
La magia tiene estas cosas. Y la suya era tan grande.
Joder, cómo pasa el tiempo, y se van yendo los mejores. A este tío sí que hay que ponerle una puta estatua y cuatro rotondas y un parque, qué cojones.
Tengo 2 días marcados a fuego. El día que se mueran Mark Knopfler y Larry, esos días los voy a pasar de puta pena.
No hay pañuelos en el mundo. Voy a llorar como las cataratas del Niágara.
Me iré a dar una vuelta pensando que es el fin del mundo o alguna mierda de esas.
Qué puta mierda de noche, eh, es que me acabo de enterar. La noche es la nostalgia, los arcanos, la magia.
Juan Tamariz es un All-Star y el puto MVP de la magia de este país, y no solo por los reconocimientos nacionales e internacionales, un absoluto número uno.
Ya se va agosto, así que me quedan pocos Summertimes.
[Charnia] Details on 76ers picks to the Celtics, per sources: 2028 first-round pick that could convert from a first to a swap that is more favorable to Boston, 2031 unprotected Philadelphia first, 2028 second round, most favorable of GSW/OKC/MIL, 2030 second, most favorable of WAS/PORT/PHX
https://www.espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/554bb2dd14423
Se avecina lío en Los Angeles. La actual Gobernadora se niega a la venta de las acciones familiares.
Anoche saltaba la noticia bomba.
Fuentes del medio ESPN informaban que la familia Buss vendía su participación del 17,8% de Los Angeles Lakers a los nuevos propietarios Josh Kushner y Bob Iger.
Sin embargo, no han pasado ni veinticuatro tras saltar la noticia y ya se avecina lío familiar, ya que, Jeanie Buss quiere impugnar la venta. En resumidas cuentas, que no quiere vender, y además, asegura que nunca se ha alcanzado un acuerdo en las votaciones.
Según fuentes cercanas a la situación, Jeanie fue la única de los cinco hermanos que se negó a proceder con la venta.
«Como familia, hemos decidido vender las acciones restantes del fideicomiso familiar Buss al grupo de Bob Iger como parte de la transacción en curso», dijo el comunicado familiar.
«Amamos a los Lakers, a sus aficionados y seguiremos apoyando a Los Angeles, pero es momento de aprovechar esta oportunidad para seguir hacia delante y retirarnos con la máxima dignidad posible», agregó.
Cabe recordar que la familia Buss es propietaria de los Lakers desde que Jerry Buss comprara al equipo a Jack Kent Cooke en 1979.
Bajo su liderazgo han ganado 11 campeonatos de la NBA; han cosechado 2289 victorias; y hasta 12 jugadores han formado del Hall Of Fame del Baloncesto.
Fuente: https://www.nbamaniacs.com/rumores-nba/jeanie-buss-impugna-la-venta-de-los-lakers/
En 2025, el volumen total de apuestas deportivas en EE. UU. superó los 42.7 mil millones de dólares. Una parte sustancial corresponde a la NBA y otras competiciones de baloncesto profesional.
Las casas de apuestas generaron 16.89 mil millones de dólares en ingresos ese mismo año
La NBA "oficialmente" solo reconoce...170 millones en 2025.
Vamos al tomate.
La NBA sigue vendiendo el cuento de la “integridad del juego”, pero cualquiera que observe cómo funciona el ecosistema de apuestas deportivas ve algo que la liga jamás reconocerá: el baloncesto profesional ya no es un deporte limpio, es un mercado contaminado, y la NBA está demasiado metida en ese mercado como para salir sin quemarse.
No es una advertencia. Es un diagnóstico. La liga no solo permite apuestas. Las inyecta en el ADN del deporte.
- Vende datos oficiales en tiempo real a operadores de juego.
- Negocia qué mercados pueden abrirse en sus partidos.
- Promueve microapuestas que dependen de detalles microscópicos y vulnerables a cualquier filtración.
Esto no es un accidente. Esto es ingeniería.
La NBA ha convertido cada partido en un producto financiero donde la información interna vale más que los puntos. Y cuando un deporte depende de información, deja de ser deporte.La NBA presume de usar inteligencia artificial para detectar “actividad anómala”. La realidad es más cruda: la IA está ahí porque el sistema ya está roto.
La IA vigila:
- jugadores que cambian rutinas sin explicación
- entrenadores que ajustan rotaciones de forma sospechosa
- equipos que manipulan el timing de los reportes médicos
La liga no está luchando contra el amaño. Está luchando contra la fuga constante de información que alimenta un mercado que ya no controla.
Los expertos en integridad deportiva lo dicen sin rodeos: Las mafias modernas no necesitan manipular partidos. Solo necesitan información.Y en la NBA, la información circula por demasiadas manos:
- fisioterapeutas
- asistentes
- periodistas
- personal de seguridad
- familiares
- jugadores frustrados
- empleados mal pagados
La NBA puede controlar el balón. Pero no puede controlar a todas las personas que lo rodean. Y ahí es donde el sistema se pudre. Hay jugadores que han recibido mensajes que no vienen de aficionados:
“Sabíamos que hoy no ibas a jugar bien.”
Eso no es casualidad. Eso es acceso. Eso es alguien obteniendo información que debería ser privada. Cuando un jugador entiende eso, comprende que su partido ya estaba siendo apostado antes de que él tocara el balón. Y que alguien, en algún lugar, sabía algo que no debía saber.
Eso no es un fallo del sistema. Es el sistema.
La NBA exige reportes de lesiones dos veces el mismo día del partido. La versión oficial dice que es para proteger la integridad del juego. La versión brutal es otra: La liga está intentando contener un incendio que ya está dentro del edificio. Cada lesión filtrada antes de tiempo es una oportunidad para:
- redes de apostadores profesionales
- grupos organizados
- intermediarios que venden información
- actores que operan fuera de la ley
La NBA no teme el amaño. Teme que el flujo de información esté completamente fuera de su control. Y lo está.
La teoría más brutal —la que nadie quiere escribir oficialmente— dice que la NBA no puede controlar el ecosistema de apuestas porque no sabe cuántos actores lo están explotando.
El sistema es demasiado grande.
Demasiado rápido.
Demasiado rentable.
La frontera entre lo legal y lo ilegal es tan fina que, desde lejos, parecen la misma cosa. La NBA no está luchando contra un problema.
Está intentando sobrevivir dentro de él.
ANEXO
Ingresos directos reconocidos por la NBA contractualmente: 170 millones
Ingresos indirectos (estimación técnica):
600–900 millones (TV)
300–500 millones (valor de franquicias)
250–350 millones (datos)
120–180 millones (activaciones)
Total anual estimado:
Entre 1.4 y 2.1 BILLONES de dólares al año...
que provienen directamente del ecosistema de apuestas.
¿Si hace mu y da leche... es una vaca?
Tras cotejar en varias webs de apuestas, Oklh y Spurs parten como (muy) favoritos, con cuotas que se mueven entre 2.2 y 2.8 por euro apostado. Ya muy lejos, aparecen NY con cuotas de 9, y Sixers con cuotas de 10. El 5to es Celtics, ya con cuotas de 14/15. Esos 5, y en ese orden (solo hay variaciones entre Oklh y Spurs), repiten en casi todas. Y lo extraño es que en muchas Lakers no es top 15, por lo que viendo que a Sixers lo ponen 4tos, significa que aún confían/valoran mucho a LeBron.
Decía mi entrenador favorito de todos los tiempos, Don Aíto García Reneses (¿alguien ha caído en la cuenta que debe ser de los pocos a los que en prensa escriben nombre y apellidos completos y del resto normalmente el apellido?), que los jóvenes que van a la NBA normalmente van de agitatoallas porque no han acabado su formación. Y por eso vuelven con el rabo entre las piernas.
La lista es larga. Los Hernangómez son el claro exponente de usarte como relleno (en España le llaman cupo, porque si no se exigiera, los equipos con grandes presupuestos no tendrían salvo que fueran buenísimos). Aparte el mundo de agencias, jugosas comisiones, sponsors, etc.
Estos chavales como Mara o De Larrea son carne de cañón. Ni tienen el físico (Mara es muy lento y tiene la muñeca de madera) , ni el talento (suelen ser una copia de Hacendado de Paleto Reaves, todo en ataque, cero en defensa), porque si fuera así "Larry" jugaría de titular en vez de Montero.
Esto de emigrar a la Meca del baloncesto para buscar la fama, y el dinero, es decir, para mejorar sus carreras profesionales, me recuerda a estos tiempos convulsos de inmigración y agrias polémicas.
El asunto de fondo son los discursos de la élite. Cuando esquilmaban el tercer mundo, todo era maravilloso. Pero cuando comenzaron a soltarse el pie del cuello y China comenzó a ser más competitiva y arrasarte en el mercado mundial, entonces hay que atacar su modelo de país.
Nosotros no queremos ser China como modelo político, pero una población occidental abandonada por esas élites socialmente no va a comprar un coche chino eléctrico basándonos en intereses políticos. Lo hace por cuestiones económicas.
Y así con el resto. España tenía, y Euro, gas y petróleo barato ruso, y EEUU quiso meter a Ucrania como frontera de la OTAN. Es como decir que México quiere montar bases rusas. Una locura. Conclusión: Rusia es la mala y nosotros a pagar gasolina a precios imposibles. EEUU se mete en otro Afganistán que dice ganar en 4 semanas. Conclusión: Irán son los malos, pero controlan el paso del petróleo y la gasolina sube más aún.
Es un disparate tras otro.
La gente que viene de ese tercer mundo muerta de hambre, hacinada, sin futuro, España debería darles papeles a todos. Sin mirar nada más.
Y luego que entren al espacio Schengen. Millones de personas entrando en las plácidas vidas de esos daneses, italianos, suecos, alemanes y belgas y que al tocar las puertas de sus casas digan:
Porque Occidente chupa de la teta hasta dejarlos secos, pero cuando quisieron ser alguien y unos pocos (BRICS) comienzan a levantar cabeza, son los malos. En una Europa donde se hizo una integración europea económica, pero socialmente es una absoluto despropósito.
Lo mismo ocurre con esos Mara y Larreas que ven con ilusión jugar con los mejores y quieren saltar la valla por fama y dinero, aunque todavía estén en el horno a medio hacer. La diferencia es que ellos tienen la vida resuelta.
El problema es que el padre de familia que recurre media África porque apenas le da para comer y deja mujer e hijos atrás y se juega la vida porque un estado occidental esquilma con sus multinacionales las materias primas de un gobierno corrupto tras otro no quiere darle un pasaporte, que me da miedo. Es que mi país no está preparado. No. Pero el tuyo sí lo está para, con una miseria, drenarte sin fin.
Tú a trabajar como esclavo para mí mientras lloro en la TV viendo lo pobrecito que es y la pena que me da, ¡hay que ayudarlo! (pero desde casa y por TV, aquí que no venga), pensando qué caro se ha puesto el croissant en la pastelería, a dónde vamos a llegar. Angustias de clase media-baja.
Viva la NBA.
Artículo de Brian Martin, publicación en web oficial NBA.com, un esquema bastante aclaratorio para aficionados NBA
Tyrese Haliburton said he was shocked his return game from his achilles injury is against the Pelicans in New Orleans
“You think that game would be at home, if not on national television… When I saw the schedule, I was like, ‘Oh wow!’ Shoutout Trey Murphy II, love my boy, Trey. Love New Orleans. But I was shocked to see that.”
76ers assistant GM Prosper Karangwa has also agreed to a multiyear contract extension.
Sources said Elton Brand will not return as 76ers GM and is currently working through a new role with the franchise and its parent company, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. Brand, well-respected throughout the 76ers’ organization, elected not to interview for the President role and has been fully supporting the team’s ongoing Draft prep.
https://www.espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/46ae974b5ef9d
https://www.espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/3da143dfc805a
La franquicia de Ohio consigue deshacerse del contrato del alemán a cambio de Tre Mann.
Los Cleveland Cavaliers han cerrado el traspaso de Dennis Schröder a los Charlotte Hornets, confirmaron fuentes del medio ESPN.
En la operación la franquicia de Ohio recibe al jugador Tre Mann, quién podría entrar en su último año de contrato.
El representante de Schröder ha trabajado conjuntamente junto a la gerencia de Cleveland con el objetivo de liberar su salario.
Finalmente le han encontrado acomodo en los Hornets donde conoce a su presidente, Jeff Peterson, y al técnico Charles Lee, coincidiendo con él en su primera etapa en Atlanta Hawks.
Schröder, traspasado a finales de enero desde Sacramento, promedió a las órdenes de Kenny Atkinson 8,2 puntos, 2,3 rebotes y 4,3 asistencias por jornada.
Fuente: https://www.nbamaniacs.com/noticias/los-cavs-traspasan-a-schroder-a-los-hornets/
​
This year, in our HoopsHype International 80, the Top 6 remain unchanged from last year, but there was a change inside the Top 10, with now two-time league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander moving up a few spots from his previous ranking. With the pace he’s on of late, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Canadian floor general crack the Top 5 pretty soon.
What's more, three players are making their debut in this ranking: another Canadian in Dillon Brooks, as well as Croatian big Ivica Zubac and Israeli swingman Deni Avdija.
Just like with our HoopsHype80 list, we compiled votes from our staff, removed the highest and lowest rank for each player, and awarded points 80-1 for the rest.
As always, we factored in FIBA accomplishments to an extent but put way more stock in what players did while competing against the very best (that is, in the NBA). And, of course, the focus is on what they achieved and not what they could have done if A, B, or C had happened.
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, five All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 1st in blocks, 10th in steals, 14th in rebounds, 15th in scoring, 235th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 3rd in blocks, 13th in rebounds, 16th in scoring, 21st in steals, 74th in assists
Though he ended up playing for Team USA and winning an Olympic gold medal with the red, white and blue, Hakeem Olajuwon was born and raised in Nigeria and even played for a Nigerian junior team at the All-Africa Games. Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic threaten his position down the road, Olajuwon remains for now a unanimous pick at No. 1 by HoopsHype voters, who have him just outside of the Top 10 in the HoopsHype80 rankings.
The Dream was the complete package as a player, with arguably the most unstoppable post-game ever thanks to his quickness and athleticism, to go with his impossible-to-predict moves. He was also an elite defender, with unbelievable shot-blocking prowess.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, one MVP, 12 All-NBA selections, 14 All-Stars, one World Cup bronze medal, one Eurobasket silver medal
Regular season ranking: 7th in scoring, 28th in rebounds, 56th in blocks, 98th in steals, 165th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 18th in scoring, 24th in rebounds, 55th in blocks, 57th in steals, 107th in assists
One of the finest offensive forwards in basketball history, Dirk Nowitzki is also considered the top European player of all time (for now). Nowitzki didn’t just carry those Mavs teams to multiple deep playoff runs and ultimately a championship; he did so without star companions.
Nowitzki did similarly with Germany, winning a couple of medals with teams pretty much devoid of top-notch talent. Dirk's shooting ability from all angles and ranges, off the dribble or with his feet set, was truly unmatched, especially among 7-footers.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, two MVPs, seven All-NBA 1st Team selections, 10 All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, four All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one NBA Cup, one NBA Cup MVP, one Eurobasket bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 42nd in scoring, 63rd in rebounds, 90th in blocks, 96th in assists, 189th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 52nd in scoring and rebounds, 68th in blocks, 78th in assists, 158th in steals
Third on our list already at age 31, there’s a somewhat decent chance Giannis Antetokounmpo may end up being considered the top foreign talent when all is said and done – no small feat for a player who didn’t even have Greek citizenship growing up. Antetokounmpo makes up for his lone shortcoming – his shooting – with unreal length, motor, tenacity and scoring down low. He’s legitimately unstoppable once he gets in the paint.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, three MVPs, one Conference Finals MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, eight All-Stars, one Olympic silver medal, one Olympic bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 41st in assists, 61st in rebounds, 84th in scoring, 170th in steals, 240th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 31st in assists, 37th in rebounds, 42nd in scoring, 83rd in steals, 101st in blocks
If he keeps the pace he’s on, reaching the top spot is not out of the question for Nikola Jokic. You can even make an argument that his peak – if Jokic has even peaked yet – is at least as good as anybody else’s on this list. Actually, we have him as the player with the seventh-best peak in league history ahead of several GOAT candidates.
A team can build an elite NBA offense around Jokic thanks to his super passing and scoring skills. The first international player to win three MVP awards and the first center to do so since Moses Malone, Jokic should age well, considering his game doesn’t rely at all on athleticism or explosiveness.
Top accolades: Two MVP awards, seven All-NBA selections, eight All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 6th in assists, 99th in scoring, 243rd in steals, 480th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 10th in assists, 66th in scoring, 233rd in steals, 248th in rebounds
South Africa-born Canadian Steve Nash was a superstar in his prime, as attested by his two MVP awards. Nash was a late bloomer, winning his first titles in his 30s, an age when most point guards (especially during his time) had typically declined significantly. Nash would have been even more devastating in today’s NBA running the pick-and-roll and shooting more threes than he did during his heyday, but as is, he’s an all-timer, with unreal passing vision and a jump shot that was as pretty as any, ever.
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, four All-NBA selections, six All-Stars, two silver Olympic medals, one World Cup gold medal, three Eurobasket gold medals
Regular season ranking: 22nd in blocks, 30th in rebounds, 44th in scoring, 135th in assists, 496th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 16th in blocks, 35th in rebounds, 63rd in scoring, 79th in assists, 209th in steals
Pau Gasol had a terrific NBA career to go with perhaps the best National Team career of any player ever, having won 11 medals and multiple MVPs in summer FIBA tournaments. A two-time NBA champion, some of the analytics actually rated Gasol as the most important Laker on those two title teams. Gasol was extremely skilled for a big man, with length that helped him finish over just about anyone down low and to block shots on the other end.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, one Conference Finals MVP, two MVPs, four All-NBA 1st Team selections, four All-Stars, All-Rookie 2nd Team, one Clutch Player of the Year award, one World Cup bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 224th in scoring, 281st in assists, 341st in steals, 354th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 96th in assists, 114th in scoring, 156th in blocks, 163rd in steals, 393rd in rebounds
A year after skyrocketing up the ranking, SGA has moved up even more after last season, a campaign that saw him earn league MVP honors for the second year in a row and reach Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. An unquestionable historically great talent, the Canadian guard has reached a level many players ranked above him here could never touch. His eventual place in this ranking will depend on how the rest of his prime goes, but if he keeps up the pace he’s been on, he has the ability to crack the Top 3, if not more.
SGA’s creativity and craftiness as a scorer and playmaker make him special, evidenced by three straight 1st Team All-NBA selections. He also performs defensively with his quick hands and feet.
Top accolades: Four NBA titles, one Finals MVP, three All-NBA 2nd Team selections, six All-Stars, one Eurobasket gold medal
Regular season ranking: 21st in assists, 58th in scoring, 160th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 7th in assists, 12th in scoring, 34th in steals, 122nd in rebounds, 489th in blocks
A super quick point guard with elite change-of-direction skills, French legend Tony Parker made a living getting into the paint and finishing among the trees because of his unstoppable teardrop floater. Didn’t have much range as a shooter and wasn’t an elite defender by any stretch, but he’s an all-time great guard anyway, which speaks to just how solid he was at lead guard, no easy accomplishment for guys out of Europe.
Top accolades: One Western Conference Finals MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, six All-Star selections, Rookie of the Year award, one Eurobasket gold medal, Euroleague title, one Euroleague MVP
Regular season ranking: 111th in assists, 165th in scoring, 362nd in rebounds, 437th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 82nd in assists, 99th in scoring, 143rd in steals, 207th in rebounds, 373rd in blocks
Put simply, Slovenian guard Luka Doncic is a special talent with a chance to enter GOAT conversations down the road thanks to his unbelievable mix of scoring and playmaking as well as rebounding from the lead-guard spot at his size. The Lakers superstar just won the second scoring title of his career last season, before injuries unfortunately cut his postseason short.
Doncic has already won pretty much everything at the international level. He came close to duplicating that success in the NBA in 2024 with an unexpected run to the Finals with Dallas before falling short in the championship series. Doncic is also already showing he is working on his body and respecting his fitness level, which could mean we see an extended peak for the Real Madrid legend.
Top accolades: One MVP, five All-NBA selections, seven All-Stars, three All-Defensive 2nd Team selections, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 165th in blocks, 217th in scoring, 255th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 71st in blocks, 110th in scoring, 115th in rebounds, 223rd in assists, 324th in steals
When healthy, Joel Embiid is dominant in every facet on both ends of the floor, with a post game that’s hard to stop, perimeter shooting touch that keeps defenses honest and unreal defensive playmaking abilities thanks to his fantastic size, athleticism and instincts. Sadly, the ‘when healthy’ part does a lot of work in that sentence since the Cameroonian-turned-American center has missed a lot of time due to injuries during his career and may have already played his best basketball.
Embiid has not really distinguished himself with his play in the postseason, a concerning trend that continued even after his first MVP win, though 2026-27 will be his chance to change that, playing on a loaded Sixers squad featuring future Hall-of-Famer LeBron James. The big man will need to stay healthy if he wants to win a title, though, as Embiid has played in a grand total of 96 regular-season games over the past three seasons.
Top accolades: Three All-NBA Team selections, eight All-Stars, four Defensive Player of the Year awards, six All-Defensive Team selections
Regular season ranking: 2nd in blocks, 20th in rebounds, 313th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 11th in blocks, 59th in rebounds, 282nd in scoring, 425th in steals
Dikembe Mutombo entered the NBA at the grand age of 25 and became one of the most accomplished defensive players in NBA history with his ability to alter shots. Didn’t have much of an offensive game, yet still managed an 18-year career in the league thanks to his all-time shot-blocking ability and finishing prowess down low.
Top accolades: Four NBA titles, two All-NBA 3rd Team selections, two All-Stars, one-time Sixth Man of the Year, one Olympic gold medal, one World Cup silver medal, four FIBA Americas medals, one Olympic tournament MVP, one FIBA Americas MVP, one Euroleague title, one Euroleague Finals MVP
Regular season ranking: 66th in steals, 128th in assists, 201st in scoring, 469th in rebounds, 492nd in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 11th in steals, 27th in assists, 28th in scoring, 72nd in rebounds, 149th in blocks
Manu Ginobili is one of only two players to win NBA, Olympic and Euroleague titles, the other one being Bill Bradley. Ginobili performed well throughout his career no matter which role he was given. The exciting Argentinian popularized the Euro-step in the NBA and had a propensity for hitting clutch shots while never giving less than 100 percent effort during his time on the floor.
Top accolades: One All-NBA 2nd Team selection, three All-NBA 3rd Team selections, three All-Stars, four Defensive Player of the Year awards, eight All-Defensive 1st Team selections, two Olympic silver medals, two World Cup bronze medals, two Eurobasket bronze medals
Regular season ranking: 24th in blocks, 36th in rebounds, 332nd in scoring, 459th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 45th in blocks, 54th in rebounds, 216th in scoring, 206th in steals, 459th in assists
Rudy Gobert’s combination of length, mobility and smarts makes him one of the most devastating defensive players in NBA history. Without much of an offensive game, Gobert can still do a lot of damage on that end on screen-and-rolls and finishing lobs.
Despite a great NBA career, he has many doubters mostly because of perceived shortcomings in the playoffs. His benching with France during key moments of the 2024 Olympic basketball tournament surely didn’t help his reputation either. But there’s one thing clear: his teams win (even if they have not gone all the way yet).
Top accolades: One NBA title, one All-NBA 3rd Team selection, five All-Stars, one All-Defensive 2nd Team selection, one FIBA Americas bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 49th in blocks, 55th in rebounds, 156th in assists, 163rd in scoring, 244th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 14th in blocks, 16th in rebounds, 44th in assists, 51st in scoring, 53rd in steals
Not only did Al Horford win his first NBA championship in 2024, but he also became the first player ever to do so while being older than the full-time head coach of the team. Moreover, Horford is part of an elite group of only five players in NBA history to rank in the Top 55 for playoff scoring, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and three-pointers. The other four members are LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Scottie Pippen. You read that right: Michael Jordan doesn’t crack that short list, but Horford does.
Though he may not have the regular-season accolades or numbers of some of the other players this high on the list, his longevity has helped him stand out anyway. Horford has enjoyed a long career as a high-quality starter or low-level All-Star mostly playing at center, which was never his favorite position.
He ranks Top 60 in both career blocks and rebounds and will get Hall-of-Fame consideration once his career is over. He’s not a lock, but considering basketball treats its Hall of Fame more like a Hall of Very Good, he’ll probably get in.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one All-NBA 1st Team selection, three All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, one All-Defensive 2nd Team selection, two Olympic silver medals, two World Cup gold medals, five Eurobasket medals
Regular season ranking: 61st in blocks, 153rd in rebounds, 248th in assists, 265th in scoring, 313th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 45th in blocks, 90th in rebounds, 129th in assists, 161st in steals, 173rd in scoring
The leader of various fine Grizzlies teams, big man Marc Gasol eventually became a champion anchoring the defense of the Toronto Raptors while contributing plenty as a playmaker and floor spacer. Gasol was also a key component of very successful Spanish squads in FIBA tournaments, winning two World Cup gold medals. A one-time Defensive Player of the year, Gasol was a truly unique two-way threat in his prime and one of the better big men of his generation.
Top accolades: One NBA title, three All-NBA 3rd Team selections, six All-Stars, Rookie of the Year, one Centrobasket gold medal
Regular season ranking: 82nd in rebounds, 123rd in scoring, 152nd in blocks, 395th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 96th in rebounds, 179th in scoring, 152nd in blocks, 271st in steals, 273rd in assists
Last year, we wrote on Karl-Anthony Towns: 'Despite the accolades he’s already amassed, Towns still has much more to give as he’s one of the most skilled and efficient scoring centers ever.' Well, KAT proved us just right in that we felt he had more to give the game, as he helped lead the New York Knicks in 2025-26 to an NBA championship, the franchise’s first since 1972-73.
Towns has a pristine jumper from beyond the arc and a ball-handling ability to get to the basket when facing up, as well as the post game to dominate smaller foes. The self-proclaimed best-shooting big man in basketball history has put up impressive numbers yearly and has mostly proved in the last couple of years that he can be a fantastic No. 2 option on a contending team.
Top accolades: One All-NBA 3rd Team selection, two Olympic medals, one World Cup gold medal, one Eurobasket gold medal, one World Cup MVP award, one Eurobasket MVP award, two Euroleague titles
Quite possibly the best European player in the 20th century thanks to amazing shooting prowess and will to win, Drazen Petrovic was the first Euro player to make an All-NBA Team and to this day just one of a handful to do it so as a guard. Petrovic did not bring much to the table aside from scoring, but as a pull-up shooter, he was ahead of his time. His tragic car accident robbed us of a great player way too early, and he’d likely be higher here had he been able to have a long career. Petrovic remains absolutely iconic overseas to this day.
Top accolades: Five All-NBA Team selections, eight All-Stars, three FIBA Asia Cup gold medals, three FIBA Asia Cup MVP awards
Regular season ranking: 122nd in blocks, 346th in rebounds, 470th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 235th in blocks, 437th in rebounds, 469th in scoring
In his short NBA career, Yao Ming made eight All-Star rosters, although some were mostly on the back of the Chinese vote. Still, Yao was an excellent center when healthy thanks in large part to his monstrous size at 7-foot-6 and unbelievably soft touch for a man of his size. He had a turnaround jumper that was impossible to defend when he had it going. Had his career cut short by constant foot problems after going through multiple seasons with almost no rest because of offseason duties with the Chinese National Team.
Top accolades: One NBA title, one All-NBA 2nd Team, three All-Stars, one World Cup gold medal, one Eurobasket gold medal, one Eurobasket MVP
Regular season ranking: 213th in scoring, 356th in steals, 457th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 162nd in scoring, 184th in steals, 220th in rebounds
Generally remembered as the second wheel on those fun Chris Webber-led Sacramento King teams of the early 2000s, Predrag Stojakovic was among the best shooters in the NBA during his time. He had phenomenal size for a small forward and a jumper that would so often hit nothing but net. Stojakovic led the league in free-throw shooting accuracy twice and shot over 40 percent from three for his career.
Top accolades: One Olympic gold medal, one World Cup gold medal, four Eurobasket medals, one Eurobasket MVP award, one Euroleague title, one Euroleague MVP award, one Euroleague Final Four MVP award
Regular season ranking: 297th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 201st in blocks, 284th in rebounds, 349th in steals, 421st in scoring
A do-it-all giant, Arvydas Sabonis was one of the game’s first unicorns. Unfortunately, his super-dominant time in Europe that is so often glossed over didn’t last very long. He was very limited physically by age 24 due to major leg injuries, and it was around that time when he signed with an average Valladolid squad in Spain’s first division. Despite physical limitations, he still managed a sensational career in FIBA basketball and eventually enjoyed seven solid seasons as a center for the Trail Blazers.Sabonis will always be known as one of the biggest what-ifs in basketball, although major injury problems for players of his size are hardly uncommon. He displayed magnificent vision of the court and outside shooting when centers were not really doing those things. It was a joy to watch.
Remember asking assistant coach Mo Cheeks, what’s harder to do? Workout after practice or before?? I only asked cuz by time I would get to the gym, Russ was already done in the morning and I usually got mine in after practice. Mo like, “coming in before practice is probably harder”…since then, it’s been my routine….a lot of people looked at the emotions on the court and thought Russ was loud, nah to me, he was quiet and methodical. He lead by example and once the lights were bright, he let everything out and experienced pure freedom. It was inspiring as his teammate and everywhere I went, I seen it inspire people from all walks of life, crazy thing is, he didn’t say much, he just showed up. For 18 years. This basketball life is sacred to us as professionals, what we put into that court means everything. Some of us wish we could go back and do things with a little more intent and some can just wipe their hands and be satisfied with the time spent. Who u gonna be? We know what zero was on…keep inspiring in the next phase of life champ. I don’t care what happens, can’t erase what it was…The first YNs, finals run in our early 20s, all star games, seeing each other get injured and bounce back, the bus rides, plane rides, card games, jokes and arguments, the whole thing, memorable!! …to the whole Westbrook family, Nina, the kids, mama Westbrook, big Russ, Ray, Donnell, everybody from luezinger high and ucla and many more that I’m forgettin, much love and Congratulations on a iconic career.