World of talent: Dirk more than a player of import01:26 PM CDT on Friday, May 5, 2006By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning NewsHe is the main reason NBA scouts have filled up their passports with stamps and visas.He's one reason they know every back-roads gym from Moscow to Madrid. And he's the reason European basketball is better than it's ever been.Everybody is scouring Europe for the next Dirk Nowitzki.The German is a giant, both in stature and the way he's playing these days. Unlike the incredible shrinking Spaniard, Pau Gasol, who Nowitzki and the Mavericks swept out of the NBA playoffs in the first round, Nowitzki is as hot as any player east of Kobe Bryant or west of LeBron James.It's no longer fair to ask whether Nowitzki is the best European player in the league right now. He is. And because most Euros didn't arrive on the NBA scene until the last 20 years and most of them who are worth their salt are still in the league, the bigger question is whether Nowitzki is the best European player ever."I don't think there's much question about that," said Del Harris, who has coached internationally for four countries, including China in the 2004 Olympics and been a keen observer of the global growth of the NBA. "I don't know of anybody from that continent that you'd rather have over Dirk."Nowitzki is clearly better than anybody else from Europe who is currently playing. His 26.6 points and nine rebounds per game in the regular season made him a strong MVP candidate. France's Tony Parker of San Antonio, Russia's Andrei Kirilenko of Utah and Serbia & Montenegro's Peja Stojakovic of Indiana are high-profile stars. But none is in Nowitzki's class.And of former players, only Drazen Petrovic of Croatia, whose life was cut short by an automobile accident, and Lithuanian Arvydas Sabonis, who didn't get to the NBA until his best years were behind him, can be considered threats to Nowitzki.Milwaukee's Toni Kukoc, a Croatian who still is hanging on after a wonderful career (and three championships) also deserves to be in the discussion.But none can challenge Nowitzki's individual greatness.Carroll Dawson, general manager of the Houston Rockets, has coached and drafted his share of international players ? Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming among them.He doesn't deal in absolutes because, invariably, somebody will take offense. But he knows what everybody else knows about Nowitzki."He's just a force," Dawson said. "I don't want to say he's a freak, because that sounds bad. But he's a 7-footer who can get his shot inside or outside, no matter what you do."Everybody wants a force like that. I got the highest respect you can have for the guy and I love watching him play ? except against the Rockets."As Orlando coach Brian Hill said: "He's probably the toughest matchup in the league. You put a big guy on him, he's got a counter for that. You put a small guy on him, he shoots over him."The NBA playoffs feature 44 international players from 25 countries and territories. Of those, 25 are from Europe. Only two teams, Miami and Washington, are composed completely of U.S. natives.That the best player for the Mavericks ? and one of the best for their next playoff opponent, if the San Antonio Spurs make it to the second round ? are Europeans makes this the possible poster series of the NBA's international movement.The league has come a long way since Sarunas Marciulionis was a novelty because he wasn't American.With the speed that Europeans and players from other continents have infiltrated the NBA, maybe it won't be long until the league has players from other planets, although it can be argued Dennis Rodman already broke that barrier."There are no secrets anymore," said Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks' president of basketball operations. "There was a time when you could find players nobody else knew about. But you can't go into Europe to scout anymore without running into somebody you know from the league."At the close of the regular season, 82 players in the NBA were non-American. That's roughly 20 percent.And while Nelson and the Mavericks had a big role in pioneering the league's international expansion, the second round of the playoffs could offer an even greater glimpse into the phenomenon.San Antonio has more foreign-born players than any team in the league with seven.E-mail esefko@dallasnews.comTHE ARVYDAS SABONIS AWARDGiven to the best European player of all time. It is named after Sabonis, who may well have been the best European ever but didn't try the highest competition (the NBA) until he was in his 30s and on the downhill side of his career (career statistics listed).1. Dirk Nowitzki GermanySmooth player in all areas who can shoot from all over.Stats: 22.0 PPG, .466 FG%2. Drazen Petrovic, CroatiaShot even better than Dirk; his life was cut short at 28.Stats: 15.4 PPG, .506 FG%3. Sarunas Marciulionis, LithuaniaTough player who could do everything well.Stats: 12.8 PPG, .505 FG%4. Toni Kukoc, CroatiaOnly one on the list with rings stood the test of time.Stats: 11.6 PPG, .447 FG%5. Detlef Schrempf, GermanyTerrific all-around talent just nudged out Vlade Divac.Stats: 13.9 PPG, .491 FG%FROM ACROSS THE SEABest Europeans (active)Rk. Player Country1. Dirk Nowitzki GermanyIn the prime of his career, he's among the league's elite.2. Toni Kukoc CroatiaThe closest thing to Dirk in terms of size and skills.3. Tony Parker FranceHe's rocketed up the list with his stellar play this season.4. Peja Stojakovic Serbia and MontenegroOne of the most dangerous shooters around.5. Pau Gasol SpainLike Dirk Lite. He is a good player, but not great.Best international players who never attended American high schools (all time)Rk. Player Country1. Hakeem Olajuwon NigeriaOne of the top five centers of all time.2. Tim Duncan U.S. Virgin Is.One of most consistent forces ever.3. Steve Nash CanadaAmazing that only one U.S. college recruited him.4. Dirk Nowitzki GermanyAbout to fall two MVP awards behind his former Mavs teammate.5. Yao Ming ChinaStrong and skilled, his best years are still ahead.Best international players who never attended American high schools or colleges (active)Rk Player Country1. Dirk Nowitzki GermanyMethodically patched all the holes in his game.2. Yao Ming ChinaHas an unstoppable low-post game.3. Dikembe Mutombo CongoCould dominate a game with his defense.4. Manu Ginobili ArgentinaAthletic and skilled, he's now a star.5. Tony Parker FranceHis flair for getting to the rim is remarkable.http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...de.c89a054.html
