Marv asked Steve Kerr this question yesterday during the Lakers game and initially Kerr said Pau.( ) Then Marv reminded him of the others-Hakeem, Dirk, Drazen, Vlade, Arvidas etc and Kerr changed his answer to Hakeem, then said Pau #2. That in itself is crazy to me because Dirk is without a doubt #2 to Hakeem. But, an interesting distinction was made on local radio today and they wanted to know who is the best "Pure" International player ever. Pure meaning they had ZERO basketball experience in the USA before they began playing in the NBA. Given that distinction, Hakeem would be excluded as would Nash and a few others. If we're talking "pure" international player, I'd have to go with Dirk first. Pau isn't on Dirks level imho and I know we're Rockets fans, hate the mavs, dirk and all that jazz but in all honesty Dirk is better than Pau in every category and the only thing they both share is that they're both soft as f#*K. I don't have time to post the stats(I figure someone will have time to do that before I return to the thread in the evening ) but please no using Pau's rings as the reason he is better because we all know if it'd been Dirk to the Lakers instead of Pau the result would have been the same. Who do y'all think is the best "pure" international player and thoughts on the Pau/Dirk argument?
This is somewhat being discussed in the GARM. I didn't catch Marv's full list. So, I'm now really annoyed that Vlade was mentioned above Yao.
Nash wouldn't count as "pure". He played four years of NCAA ball at Santa Clara. He wouldn't count anymore than Hakeem, Rik Smits or Mutombo.
As far as "pure" international players go, I would have to put Arvydas Sabonis #1. Dude might have made the Mount Rushmore of NBA centers (along with Wilt, Russell, Kareem, Hakeem and Shaq - yes, I know that's more than four) if he played his entire professional career in the NBA. He was only a shell of his former self when he FINALLY came over to the States. But even then, he was a high quality NBA center for several years. After that, I'd put Dirk, Pau and Petrovic (probably in that order).
As heypee said, the Dirk-Pau comparison was discussed in another thread. I believe scoring is the only thing Dirk is better than Pau. Sabonis was arguably the best center in the world in his prime. Too bad Russia didn't let him come over to play in the NBA. Anyway, no love for Scola?
He had very serious knee injury in 1984 that limited his athleticism for all period of his future career. He definetely had a chance to become one of the greatest centers of all-time. But injuries and all that Soviet Union things limited his fame in USA He is simply the best player in history of the game outside of United States
Pau plays a brand of basketball that has consistently won championships in this league, he's a great traditional post player on both sides of the ball. Bosh in Miami is a great example of how important is to have a big who posts up. So yeah, you can put up a bunch of great numbers taking jumpers and driving to the rim but bigs that post up and command respect in the low post on offense and defense are a staple on championship teams. Dirk doesn't do that. Pau does. Pau > Dirk I don't think this is true. As I stated earlier, Bosh is a great example of why the Dirk style of play is not of championship pedigree. You need that all around low post threat. Also, there are quite a few things Pau is better than Dirk at. He's a much better defender, a shot blocking threat, he's a much better rebounder, he's an excellent post passer, his low post moves are very fluid and provide excellent spacing for his teammates, and considering his frail frame he isn't really that soft just physically weak....
Pau without Kobe, Phil and Fakers franchise - 0-16 in playoffs as a leader Dirk Nowitzki - NBA finals + MVP + 10 50+ winning seasons and countin' This thing is over
He should be commended for even making the playoffs with that roster but I wasn't even discussing their team achievements or some award given out arbitrarily. Just look at the skill sets. There have been many poor defending face up/jump shooting bigs in this league. Why have none of them been stars of championship teams?
If Dirk played with the teams Pau played with pre Kobe he would not have had what you mentioned at the bottom imo. Dirk had a better supporting cast in Dallas than Pau did in Memphis.
Dirk had never ever played with guy with a same or pretty the same skill level as he has. Despite all that stuff he has a lot of success for his career. Success for Gasol be4 joining the Lakers and Kobe? Omg. This was awful
If player can't win a single game in playoffs in four different series.... well, this is not about supporting cast.
Well Kobe cant win a playoff series for 2 seasons and failed one to make the playoffs once without Gasol. Are you saying that's Shaq's fault? I must say Sabonis should be the best pure international player in this league. Too bad he only manage to join the league way after his prime due to political issues. What a shame.
