Some of the league's best players today have hailed from out of this world, or at least out of the US.
International players have a certain integrity—they play for the team, not for themselves. We over me. They have a competitive streak that is fueled by their passion and love for the game.
Let's show the rosters, shall we?
TONY PARKER, point guard
Born in France.
Tony Parker should be called le blur; he's that fast. You can try and guard him, but watch your ankles. He's fearless; he'll take on anyone in the lane. Us at home are left to imagine what its like—floating effortlessly towards the rim as if held in place by some imaginary hand, and finishing with a signature teardrop.
TP is overlooked by the other PG's today, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Baron Davis, Gilbert Arenas, but go ahead, doubt him. It takes less pressure off him, and he'll only play better.
MANU GINOBILI, shooting guard
Born in Argentina.
Swish. Swish. Swish.
No, that's not Indiana Jones knifing through tall grass, that's Emanuel Ginobili knifing to the basket and finishing.
A trusty left-handed shooter, Ginobili is uncontrollable on a floor. Make him drive with his right, no problem! You'll overestimate him. He'll simply go behind the back, take one long stride with his right leg and finish with his left.
Okay, so he doesn't drive. He decides to stay off the paint and try his luck from the field. Manu will fake, you will jump, he'll draw contact and swish-make the shot.
Coming off the bench doesn't hurt his ego—he lets you decide what kind of player he is when you watch him. Or maybe he'll let three NBA Championships, two Olympic Medals (gold and bronze) and a Euroleague Title talk for him.
HEDO TURKOGLU, small forward
Born in Turkey.
For you that aren't familiar, get familiar. You'll be amazed at how much one can flourish when given the opportunity to do so. He even won the NBA's Most Improved Player award last season.
His efforts made him a solid player for Orlando—19.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 5 apg, and 46 percent from the field, 83 percent from the line, and an above average 40 percent from three-point land. Turkoglu has developed as a solid defender and remains one of the more clutch players today.
TIM DUNCAN, power forward
Born in the Virgin Islands.
What's more insane than Timmy's consistency for more than a decade? The fact that he never picked up a basketball until he was 14 years old. Or maybe that he shows no emotion whatsoever in a game, except maybe when a questionable foul is called. It psyches out his opponents (his degree in psychology might help). He shows no anticipation, no excitement, no devastation, no pressure.
His 15-foot bank shot is a guarantee, and his dribble-pivot-swish is deadly. If "boring" is another word for "crazy good", then Duncan will gladly accept the label bestowed upon him. Besides, you can't spell BORING without RING(S), and Timmy's earned a handful of them: 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007.
YAO MING, center
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