RealGM

Not necessarily the best player, but player whose playing style might exactly be what NBA is always buying + combination of personality that you know wouldnt decline NBA offer + even politics... whatever, you know the question

To me its kinda weird D'or Fischer never played in the NBA, seems like every above the rim, long, shotblocking C ended up in the league, no matter how crappy, D'or was better than a lot of them



Theo Paploukas. Yeah, he doesnt fit NBA first option, he had serious offer from Lakers that he declined, but still, just seemed like a player who was really grown into NBA role, and its kinda cray he never left Europe

easy... Dejan Bodiroga

wendell alexis
sergio llull
jr holden

Oscar Schmidt

UcanUwill wrote:Theo Paploukas. Yeah, he doesnt fit NBA first option, he had serious offer from Lakers that he declined, but still, just seemed like a player who was really grown into NBA role, and its kinda cray he never left Europe

Watch on YouTube

Early in his career, Papaloukas was a freak athlete, with a great handle and passing/court vision. But he could not shoot at all, and could not score past 5 feet from the basket...that's probably why as a young player he didn't get much attention in Europe, even though he was really good already around early 20s.

Then later in his career, he rapidly lost his athletic ability in his late 20s, and at that time NBA knew who he was, he probably ddin't think the NBA coaches would like him, since he had become something like a 6-7 Teodosic athletically, but without a jumper. For whatever reason, Papaloukas and also Diamantidis had an incredibly rapid decline athletically like around age 28 or so.

So no coming to the NBA late, if the chance was missed early, like guys like Prigioni or Teodosic.

NuggetsWY wrote:Oscar Schmidt

It was his choice, because he opted to continue playing for Brazil NT instead of NBA. As a result, he is the top scorer in the Olympic Games and FIBA.

MoMM wrote:

NuggetsWY wrote:Oscar Schmidt

It was his choice, because he opted to continue playing for Brazil NT instead of NBA. As a result, he is the top scorer in the Olympic Games and FIBA.

Yup and many respected him for that, but the OP asked who most surprised me - he would be my choice. He would have probably been an All-Star HOF type IMO.

NuggetsWY wrote:

MoMM wrote:

NuggetsWY wrote:Oscar Schmidt

It was his choice, because he opted to continue playing for Brazil NT instead of NBA. As a result, he is the top scorer in the Olympic Games and FIBA.

Yup and many respected him for that, but the OP asked who most surprised me - he would be my choice. He would have probably been an All-Star HOF type IMO.

Agreed, and perhaps he would make the 3pt trend start in the 80's or 90's instead of this decade.

Bodiroga
Diamantidis

I would have loved to see them play in NBA. Would have wrecked ****.

Bodiroga
Diamantidis
Papaloukas
Schmidt
Nikos Galis

Giannakis ,Celtics took Danny instead of him ,Fanis Chiristodoulou

fran vazquez. ask magic fans about him. he wasted a tenth pick which orlando fans still despise him. haha.

baldur wrote:fran vazquez. ask magic fans about him. he wasted a tenth pick which orlando fans still despise him. haha.

Yeah, Fran is a good one. He was definitely exactly what NBA likes about centers, long, shotblocker and lob finisher. I liked him quite a bit in his prime.

From what I heard, he never moved overseas to play in the NBA, because of his girlfriend demands.

Thomas Heurtel! He could fit NBA style : good ball carrier, good offense, bad defense...

More seriously: Oscar Schmidt

One I would liked to see in NBA: Florent Pietrus. Ask Marc Gasol what does he think about him.

biscuittoman wrote:Bodiroga
Diamantidis

I would have loved to see them play in NBA. Would have wrecked ****.

Diamantidis looked really awful when he played preseason games against NBA teams. He looked solid OK against Team USA, but not exactly good. In theory, he should be a good NBA player, but he looked so slow in those NBA preseason games.

mcmurphy wrote:easy... Dejan Bodiroga

Amazing skills!