Interbasket

With only one first-round series going to the distance (Atlanta-Boston), I believe it’s a good time to call out some international player performances of note.  And with only Zaza Pachulia the only real impact international player remaining in the first round, it’s safe to continue on with this post.

Did I say Manu ginobili was the Spur’s MVP?

Well, he was during the regular season but Tony Parker was the difference-maker in the series against the Suns.  If he continues his level of playoff play (including 41 points in crucial game 3) he’ll give Manu a serious run.  Parker was nothing less than unstoppable in the Spur’s wins, averaging 32.5 points, 8 assists and shot 54.3% from the field in those four games.

Manu Ginobili, on the other hand, played well in the first three games, but his final two weren’t anything to write back to his hometown of Bahia Blanca.  For the series, Ginobili scored 18.2 points a game, snagged 3.8 rebounds and passed for 2 assists.

Hedo Turkoglu was the do-it-all guy for the Orlando Magic.  His points were down a little from the regular season, but no doubt the 29-year old is playoff tested.  In 5 games against the Toronto Raptors, “Turk” averaged 17.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.

Kobe this, Kobe that, but without Pau Gasol, the Lakers wouldn’t be where they are. Though the 7-0 Spanaird couldn’t match his first game output (36pts, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists), Gasol was solid in the Laker’s sweep of the Denver Nuggets.  Gasol averaged a “quiet” 22.3 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2.7 blocks.

Peja Stojakovic did exactly as he was supposed to — hit threes at a blistering rate.  With “blistering” equaling 60.7% (17-28) in the Hornet’s five games.  The Serbian star averaged 15.8 points and hit almost three three-pointers a game.  Peja also contributed 5.6 rebounds a game and had a double-double in game three.

Though he only shot 40% from the field, Memo Okur averaged a double-double in the six-game series against the Houston Rockets providing rare interior presence to his exterior game.  13.2 points, 12.5 rebounds while hitting 7-20 from three point land.

On the other side, Luis Scola put up 14 points, 9.4 rebounds, non-stop hustle and one bone-headed play.  The Argentine superstar could have definitely done better from the field and free-throw line, but Scola elevated his game otherwise.

Zaza Pachulia?  He was nothing more than a small sidenote when I wrote my International NBA Playoff Preview and looking solely at his stats (through six games he’s averaged 3.7 points and 2.5 rebounds on 31% shooting), it really doesn’t look as if he’s done much.  However, watching the games tell a different story, the 6-10 center from the Republic of Georgia is making his presence felt on the floor.

Zaza loves knocking bodies around, causing chaos in the paint, getting in the face of Kevin Garnett, exciting the home-crowd, and after the Hawks beat the Celtics 103-100 to force a game seven, Zaza Pachulia grabbed a microphone and screamed “We’re going to Game 7! Woooooooooo!” I would be remiss not to mention Pachulia especially if the woeful Hawks actually win game seven.

Darius Songaila has been similar.  Though his stats do not yield his subtle contributions, make no mistake the Cavs were aware of the 6-8 Lithuanian.  His aggressive drives to the hoop yielded 2.5 free-throw attempts during the series, compared to 0.9 in the regular season. Oh and let’s not forget the psuedo-slap to LeBron James in which he was suspended for.

Sources and other links: Preview: Impact International Players in the 2008 NBA Playoffs (Ibn), From our forum - 2008 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread (Ibn Forum), Atlanta 103 - Boston 100 Game Recap (Yahoo! Sports)

Hedo Turkoglu was named the NBA’s most-improved player for the 2007-08 season. The Turkish superstar averaged career-bests in points (19.5), rebounds (5.7), assists (5.0) and a career-high 45.7% from the field.

And despite bigger names in Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis, it became apparent throughout the season that Turkoglu was Orlando’s guy at the end of close games with his ability to create his own shot and make the right pass.

Hidayet “Hedo” Turkoglu had his best and most successful season in the NBA since his Sacramento heydays. After Sacramento, Turkoglu spent a year in San Antonio before ending up in Orlando at the start of the 2004-05 season. Hedo’s been putting up decent numbers since joining the Magic, but not really opening any eyes until this season.

Perhaps the highlight of his season was Hedo’s game-winning shot against the league’s best team. Back on January 27th, with the game tied, Hedo knocked down a step-back three at the buzzer to defeat the Boston Celtics 96-93. Hedo ended up the game with 27 points.

This season also saw the 6-10 forward’s first and second career triple doubles. Hedo’s first was in a loss against the Dallas Mavericks in which he tallied 13 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists. His second coming in a winning effort against Atlanta (23 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists).

Turkoglu also earned two Eastern Conference Player of the Week nods (for the weeks of Jan. 27 and Feb. 3), and was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for April.

Hedo won by quite a large margin, garnering 213 more points than the next runner up (Rudy Gay 167, LaMarcus Aldridge 128, and Al Jefferson 100). The voters clearly believed that not only did Turkoglu elevated his game statistically, but with his ability to lead. Interbasket congratulates and gives big respects to Hedo Turkoglu.

Note: It’s nice to see the improved player award go to players that showed complete improvement and have been in the league more than a year or two. Too many times this award has went to a player that saw significant increases in minutes (which usually means better stats) or to a second year player that is expected to improve on thehuge learning curve that is their rookie year. Most of the time, those scenarios are synonymous. I’d like to see them implement a rule where this award can only go to players that have been in the league for at least three years, then it would be given to a player that has clearly improved their game.

Sources: Hedo Turkoglu wins NBA’s Most Improved Player Award (NBA.com), Discuss Hedo’s Most Improved Award for the 2007-08 NBA season (Ibn Forum), Turkoglu’s last-second 3 lifts Magic to 96-93 victory over Celtics (Yahoo), Video of Hedo Turkoglu’s game-winning shot against the Boston Celtics (YouTube)

With the NBA playoffs about to begin this weekend, Ibn would be remiss not to talk about the unprecedented competitive Western Conference this year and the roles that international players are having on every playoff-bound team. It’s just crazy to think that Dallas is the seventh seed, San Antonio or Phoenix will be sitting out the second round, and no team has less than 50 wins and no more than 57 wins.

And there is no less than 20 foreign-born players playing important roles on those eight teams. Interbasket will break down each team’s international player and how important they are to their team’s success.

1. Los Angeles Lakers
Key Rotation Players: Pau Gasol, Ronny Turiaf, Vladimir Radmanovic, Sasha Vujacic
International Importance: 8.5/10
Notes: The Lakers have the most players in their likely playoff rotation with four and the newest one, Pau Gasol, has arguably been the most important player for the Lakers since being stolen from Memphis. The Lakers went from being serious pretenders to contenders with the late-season addition of the Spanish Superstar and World Champion.

Vladmir Radmanovic starts for the Lakers because he has the potential to become a game-changer with his outside shot, the problem is the 6-10 Radman isn’t very consistent with his play. If Radmanovic isn’t breaking his leg in skiing accidents and lying about it, he can be a game-changer for Los Angeles.

I’m convinced that Ronny Turiaf is posed to make a splash in this year’s playoffs. With his energy, all-out hustle, defense (he led the team in blocks with 1.4 a game), and with opposing teams focusing on other players — Turiaf is going to that X-factor player that everyone talks about this time of year.

What a difference a year makes. The former-baby-faced Slovenian has longer hair, facial hair, and grown up this year for the Lakers - bringing consistency and competitiveness off the bench. Sasha Vujacic is the sniper that the Lakers need, is showing feistiness on defense while leading the Lakers in three-point shooting percentage (43.7).

2. New Orleans Hornets
Key Rotation Players: Peja Stojakovic
International Importance: 5/10
Notes: Peja not only brings his well-known three-point shooting, but also brings the most playoff experience to the inexperienced Hornets. Peja’s range keeps the middle open for Chris Paul, David West and Tyson Chandler to manuever inside.

I’m hoping Peja can help the Hornets advance and have a better playoff showing that his last couple years in Sacramento. Peja’s always been a better second or third option player, and with Chris Paul dancing around the paint and the threat of David West, Peja is free to roam the arc for open shots.

3. San Antonio Spurs
Key Rotation Players: Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto, Ime Udoka
International Importance: 10/10
Notes: International players have always played a big role with the championship Spurs teams, and with every year that Tim Duncan gets older, the more the Spurs seem to rely on French point guard Tony Parker, who doesn’t cease to amaze with his ability to finish in every circumstance, and Argentine superstar Manu Ginobili, whom has arguably been San Antonio’s best player this year.

The multi-faceted and extremely dangerous Ginobili is a wildcard on a offensively-predictable team and that’s what makes Manu so important for the Spurs. He led the Spurs in scoring this season, with career highs in points, rebounds, and assists, while partly starting and partly coming off the bench throughout the season.

Manu had a stretch, when Duncan was out with an injury, where he turned up his game in keeping the Spurs afloat during the Big Fundamental’s absence. If the Spurs win it this season, it would be surprising if Manu wasn’t named the Finals MVP (he was ROBBED last year), that’s how much the paradigm has shifted.

And Ginobili has a good repoire with San Antonio’s forgotten fifth starter Fabricio Oberto, the Spur’s center and glue guy. The Argentine center clogs up the middle, cleans up the messes and rolls to the hoop for easy baskets. As mentioned above, Oberto is sometimes the forgotten Spur, but that doesn’t mean Fab’s picks, tap outs, and layups aren’t important to their overall success.

Ime Udoka, whose father was Nigerian-born, played for the Nigerian National Team in the 2006 World Championships. Udoka has played a stabilizing role for the Spurs this season with his odd looking jumper and tough defense, many of rightfully compared his style of play and intensity to Mario Elie.

4. Utah Jazz
Key Rotation Players: Andrei Kirilenko, Memo Okur
International Importance: 8/10
Notes: AK and Memo Okur are the #3 and #4 players for the Jazz and their play is hugely important for the Utah Jazz to advance on their progress from last year. As some of you may recall, Kirilenko wasn’t in the best place last season and Memo Okur couldn’t find his outside stroke in the playoffs despite earning a reputation for being a big-time shooter. Kirilenko is playing this season as if last season didn’t happen, with renewed confidence. It’s likely he got a shot of adrenaline from leading Russia to the gold medal in the European Championships (and the automatic bid to this years Olympics).

Okur was well on his way to becoming the best Turkish player in the world before he lost his outside shot last season and before Hedo Turkoglu found his career in Orlando. Okur has suggested that his down year hasn’t affected him, that he’ll take the shots as they come. With Carlos Boozer demanding double teams and Deron Williams passing the ball, the Jazz are certainly hoping that Okur is on his game this playoff season.

5. Houston Rockets
Key Rotation Players: Luis Scola, Dikembe Mutombo
International Importance: 7/10
Notes: When Yao Ming went down, every one thought that the Rockets would go down with the 7-6 Chinese center, but that hasn’t been the case. Not by a long shot. Houston definitely is more of a threat with him in the lineup for the playoffs, but the team-based play and the impending threat that Tracy McGrady could go for 50 on any given night is what makes this current version of the Rockets go. With that said, Mutombo, at age 57, is still intimidating and blocking shots, while Scola’s adapting to the NBA game will help fuel the Rockets forward.

6. Phoenix Suns
Key Rotation Players: Steve Nash, Boris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa, Gordan Giricek
International Importance: 10/10
Notes: Steve Nash by himself is a 10/10. The reigning MVP is enough to say that international players really play important roles for the Phoenix Suns, but we need to recognize the roles that multi-talented small forward Boris Diaw, and power bench players Leandro Barbosa and troubled Gordon Giricek play for the revamped, re-Shaqed Phoenix Suns. Adding Giricek’s shot-making ability has made the Suns that much more dangerous, and his shooting will become more important as Shaquille ONeal gets more comfortable in their re-tooled offense.

I think most are still awaiting Boris Diaw to turn up his game after the trade of Shawn Marion to the Miami Hear; the high-IQ Diaw still seems as if he’s lost on offense, has been hesitant to shoot his mid-range shots and needs to shore up his intensity. If he can get it together, especially with his great passing ability, he can make an already dangerous Nash-Amare Stoudemire-Shaquille O’Neal tandem even more powerful.

7. Dallas Mavericks
Key Rotation Players: Dirk Nowitzki
International Importance: 10/10
Notes: As the 7-0 German with the gimpy ankle goes, so goes the playoff chances for the Dallas Mavericks. Enough Said. 10 out of 10. It’s going to be a ugly off-season filled with second-guessing if the Mavs don’t make it to at least game seven of the Western Conference Finals.

8. Denver Nuggets
Key Rotation Players: Linas Kleiza, Eduardo Najera, Nene
International Importance:
Notes: These three big guys cannot be more different from each other and that’s why they’ll play important roles. Linas Kleiza has become a surprisingly consistent offensive option coming off the bench with his ability to not only shoot the three but put the ball down on the floor and attack the basket with his 6-8, 255-pound frame.

Eduardo Najera really has created a great niche for himself. He’s a poor-man’s jack of all trades and I don’t mean that in a detrimental manner. He plays defense, he rebounds, he gets on the floor, dribbles, drives, and is efficient with his time. Najera has also added a consistent three-point shot, the 6-7 Mexican forward has shot and made more threes this season than in all of his seasons combined. his newfound touch which will stretch the defense for Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony to work their offensive moves with more space to spare.

Nene is working his way back into the rotation after having a tumor removed, but if the Brazilian power player can get into game shape, the Nuggets will be in good shape on the inside. Even if Nene can give 10-15 minutes of smart play, strong defense and throwing his weight around, the Denver interior will be fortified and that much more ready for a rugged playoff run. The Nuggets will need his strength to counter Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom in the first round.

What about the East? This isn’t the case in the East where the amount of international players in key roles can be counted on one hand and three fingers - Hedo Turkoglu, Jose Manuel Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Rasho Nesterovic, Anderson Varejao Sasha Pavlovic, Carlos Arroyo, and Andrea Bargnani.

None of those players are the true, unquestioned leaders that the West has in Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki. Hedo Turkoglu plays a key role in Orlando, and Calderon runs the Toronto team, but the rest of those guys are solely role players.

And those eight can be found on only four teams - Orlando, Toronto, Philadelphia, and Cleveland. The other four remaining Eastern teams; Atlanta (Zaza Pachulia), Boston, Detroit (Walter Herrmann), and Washington (Darius Songaila) have international players, but none of them play a significant enough role of mention.

Every Wednesday during the NBA season, Interbasket takes a closer look at ten international NBA players that has caught our eye. (This week is for period 01/23/2008- 01/29/2008)

Cleveland Hurting
The Cleveland Cavs are playing great since the first of the year, but have hit a touch stretch with injuries to Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao. Pavlovic is scheduled to be out for a couple months and Varejao severely sprained his ankle and will be out for about four weeks. I won’t say anything about both of those guys being out a significant chunk of the season with contract disputes.

Roko Leni-Ukic who?
It’s nice to see Jose Calderon getting some press for his consistent, smart, efficient, and emotional leadership. Especially for someone whom was an afterthought because the undrafted Spaniard only finds himself in Toronto only because the Raptor’s 2005 draft pick, Roko Leni-Ukic decided to stay in Europe.

Although Calderon is leading the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (5.44-to1), Jose is surprisingly garnering some buzz to be included in the Eastern conference all-star reserves this year. Is it going to happen? Doubtful, but it’s good press for the Spanaird and it plants the seed in the media’s brains for future considerations.

The third-year guard is having his best season statistically for the 25-20 Toronto Raptors. Calderon is getting 10 more minutes a game this season and putting up career-highs in points (12.3), assists (8.8), rebounds (3.2), steals (1.1), FG% (52.1), 3pt (44.8), and FT% (91.6). Calderon is 26 years old and hitting his prime, so look for him to improve upon his stats in the coming years, well, depending on what happens with TJ Ford.

Should Turkoglu be an All-Star this Year?
Hedo Turkoglu is becoming increasingly under-rated this season. Even with a huge win, on national television, against the best team in the NBA (Boston) it was clear to anyone who was watching that the Magic’s go-to guy in the fourth-quarter was Turkoglu. However, only a sprinkle of the all-star reserve prediction pieces have mention of him, and even then the 27-year old Turkish star still misses the cut in all those all-star-reserve guesses. “If I make it I’ll be the happiest guy in the world,” Turkoglu said, “But if I don’t make it, it just shows that I have a long way to go and I’ll come back next year even harder.”

Understandably, Turkoglu’s nomination puts the voters in a tough spot. Though Hidayet is playing his best ball on a winning team, he still has to beat out players like Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh, Richard Jefferson, Gerald Wallace, Caron Butler and Antwan Jamison. That will be difficult considering Pierce and Bosh are likely to make the team, and the latter three are also having their best seasons. In my eyes, voters are going to have to decide between Hedo, Jefferson, and Jamison. If New Jersey was winning more games, Jefferson would easily be there, but do the Nets right now deserve two players? I don’t think so. Does the Wizards also deserve two? Maybe.

I Heart Andris Biedrins
Speaking of under-rated, If you’ve been reading my updates, you can tell that I am more than enamored with one Andris Biedrins. I have the benefit of watching him play on a consistent basis and the man is truly unsung when the media talks of the Golden State Warrior’s success.

Perhaps motivated by the Warrior’s attempt to bring back Chris Webber to the bay area to bolster their middle, the Latvian had a career-high 26 rebounds the other night against the New York Knicks. “Of course I take it a little bit personally because that’s my job,” Biedrins said. “My job is at the defensive end, rebound and block shots. I try to do my job as good as I can.” Biedrin’s career-high was also the highest amount a Golden State player has ever pulled in, in over 25 years.

Biedrins had 10 rebounds in the first quarter alone, single-handedly out-rebounding the Knicks by one. Biedrin’s 26 rebounds were the most by a Golden State player since Larry Smith had 31 on March 28, 1981 - before Biedrins was born. Biedrins previous career high in rebounds was 18, which he accomplished four times in his career.

Nene Recovering, Apologizing
Nene issued a statement to apologize for incorrect posting made on his official website that said his testicular cancer tumor was benign, when in fact it was malignant. The doctors that removed the tumor said that the tumor was ioslated and are expecting Nene to make a full recovery. Amazingly, Nene is expected to be back on the this year, some expect to be as early as April of this year.

Sefolosha Getting his Chance
The one good thing about the Bulls under-achieving this season is Thabo Sefolosha getting some run. With the Bulls riddled with injuries and not showing any real potential for turning their season around anytime soon, Chicago has turned to developing their young(er) talent. Thabo Sefolosha, a combo-guard from Switzerland known for his long arms and defense, has had four straight games of double-figures. And Sefolosha has played over 20 minutes in his last ten games (nine of which he has started) and has averaged 10.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 steals in 30.6 minutes a game. Thabo has also recorded his first and second double-doubles of his career during the ten game run.

Unfortunately, we can’t say the Bulls have been awesome in that span, they haven’t (they were 4-6 in that span), but it’s nice to see Sefolosha getting some minutes.

Mbenga Back
After being waived by the Golden State Warriors, DJ Mbenga eventually found himself wearing the Laker gold two weeks later. Mbenga was signed to try and fill Andrew Bynum’s shoes after the youngster went down with a knee injury that will keep him off the court for six weeks. The Lakers begin a grueling nine-game road trip that will really test their mettle. They couldn’t have picked a better replacement in Mbenga, who has gone through his share of battles.

International Representation in the 2008 Rookie-Sophmore Game
Four international players will be represented at the annual NBA Rookie-Sophmore game. Andrea Bargnani, whom has had an overall disappointing second season will join second-year sensations Rudy Gay, Brandon Roy, and LaMarcus Aldridge on the sophmores squad. The rookie team is headlined by Kevin Durant with the surprising Chinese seven-footer Yi Jianlian, the tricky, long-range bomber Juan Carlos Navarro from Spain and somewhat-disappointing Argentinian Luis Scola. Jianlian is listed as 20 years old and Bargnani is 22 years old, while Navarro and Scola are both 27-year old and veteran Euroleague players.

Sources: Stein Line All-Star Reserves (ESPN), Calderon’s All-Star Chances Slim (Toronto Star), Hedo beats buzzer, aims for All-Star berth (Turkish Daily News), Biedrins Makes His Case On Boards (San Francisco Chronicle), Mbenga signs (Yahoo Sports), Jackson will be traveling light (LA Times), Roy and Durant lead rosters for NBA Rookie Challenge (Seattle PI)