Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers was recently asked about the best international basketball players in the history of the game, and gave a somewhat surprising and unbiased answer for his top pick.
Kobe chose to go with Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks over teammate Pau Gasol. Although it’s hard to argue that Nowitzki hasn’t earned the distinction as the best foreign player of all-time, plenty of players deserve to be in the conversation including Gasol.
It’d be safe to say the Tony Parker should also be considered with three NBA titles and an NBA Finals MVP while playing for the San Antonio Spurs throughout his entire career in the league. Parker has never put a franchise on his back the way Tim Duncan has done during his time with the Spurs, but that may change once Duncan and Manu Ginobili retire in the near future.
It’ll be interesting to see if the debate changes in the years to come with the emergence of Marc Gasol and Parker potential success in the post Duncan-Gregg Popovich era in San Antonio.
As of right now, it’s difficult to disagree with Kobe’s assessment of the greatest foreign-born player of all-time. With more and more great players coming to the United States every year, Nowitzki will have some competition for the distinction down the road.
Lakers Nation News
Kobe Says Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol are Best Foreign NBA Players
Lakers News: Kobe Says Lakers Need to Get Younger for Next Season
Lakers Nation of the Week: The Heat Win the Title, Metta Tweets
Chandler Parsons Says he Talks to Dwight Daily About Joining Rockets
Lakers News: Kobe Consulted David Beckham After Achilles Injury
Lakers News: Lakers Fans Choose 2012-13 Season Best Moments
Video: Kobe Bryant Scores First Career Point in Madison Square Garden
Lakers Players Trending Up and Down as Uncertain Off-Season Looms
Lakers Second Round Pick Profile: Louisville Guard Peyton Siva
2010 NBA Finals Game 7 Still Holds Second Highest Ratings
Lakers News: Kobe is Up and Walking Without the Boot
Lakers News: Dwight Howard Discusses Back Rehab, Free Agency
Kobe Bryant Trends Worldwide on Twitter After Heat Win
Lakers News
Kobe Bryant Can See Himself Playing ‘Three to Four More Years’ [LA Times]
Jeanie Buss Confident in Lakers’ Advantage Despite Limitations [LA Times]
Phil Jackson Has No Intentions to Coach, But Intentions Can Change [LA Times]
Oddsmakers Says Lakers Far From Favorites to Win 2014 NBA Title [LA Times]
Kobe Bryant Debuts Instagram Video of First Steps Without Boot [LA Times]
Free Agent Dwight Howard Still Undecided About Future [OC Register]
No Dancing Around it, Madsen Wants to Coach [OC Register]
Kobe’s Parents Apologize, Settle Memorabilia Feud [OC Register]
Looking at Mocks: NBA.com Chooses Andre Roberson [Silver Screen & Roll]
We Love “I Love LA” [Silver Screen & Roll]
In Case You Forgot, the Goal Should Still be to Keep Dwight Howard [Forum Blue & Gold]
Lakers Recent Draft History at a Glance [Forum Blue & Gold]
NBA News
Chris Paul Upset with Management After Talks Ended [Sports City]
Miami’s Shane Battier Celebrated Winning Title at Denny’s [Sports City]
NBA News: Warriors’ Carl Landry Leaning Toward Testing Free Agency [Sports City]
VIDEO: LeBron Says His Two Championships “Stank” on Instagram [Sports City]
VIDEO: Miami’s Chris Bosh Loses Battle with Confetti After Game 7 [Sports City]
Doc Trade Reportedly Back on [SB Nation]
The End of Doc and Rondo [SB Nation]
LeBron’s Performance for the Ages [SB Nation]
LeBron Sets the Record Straight, Says Spurs’ Danny Green Did Not Party With the Heat After Game 7 [Pro Basketball Talk]
Florida Teen Hit by Celebratory Gunfire After Heat Win NBA Title [Pro Basketball Talk]
Report: Cavaliers Offer Celtics Two Second Round Picks for Pierce [Pro Basketball Talk]
