NBA buzz Bobby Motus Some of the best internationals presently in the NBA

(Last of two parts)

NIKOLA VUCEVIC (MNE) - leading Montenegro with 19.8pts and 8.8rebs, the 6-10 big man with 11 NBA seasons behind him, starts at center for the Chicago Bulls.  Playing all 82 games last season averaging 17.6pts, he just agreed to a 3-year $60M deal. 

JONAS VALANCIUNAS (LTU) - the Lithuanian 6-11 big man is in the mold of Steven Adams who could have thrived in the NBA of the 80s and 90s with their tough guy plays.  In 8 games, he averaged 14.8pts and 8.8rebs.  He had been a double-double machine in his 10 seasons with the NBA.

GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO (GRE) - only 28, Giannis has at least 10 years to collect more MVP and league titles.  This time, he was absent from his national team as he had surgery on his left knee.  The 7-time All-Star said he will play for his country in the Paris Olympics.

KRISTAPS PORZINGIS (LAT) - Latvia could have done better had the Zinger been with the team.  Another 3-point shooting 7-footer, he could have made things easier for Davis Bertans and Andrejs Grazulis.  With Washington, he ressurected his game giving his best offensive season with 23.2ppg and 8.4rpg.

NIKOLA JOKIC (SER) - imagine if Jokic had played for Serbia, they could have been on top of the FIBA Worlds.  He became the first player to lead the post season in points, assists and rebounds, leading the Denver Nuggets to their first ever NBA championships. He is perhaps the greatest ever second round pick (41st).

PASCAL SIAKAM (CMR) - drafted 27th overall by Toronto in 2016, the Cameroon born Siakam won an NBA title with the Raptors in 2019 and was likewise named the NBA’s Most Improved Player.  The 2-time All-Star is Toronto’s longest tenured player entering his 7th season and has developed to be their franchise leader averaging 24.2ppg, 7.8rpg and 5.8apg.