Eurobasket 2011: Luol Deng and Top 5 NBA Performers from the Tournament

Kevin Durant is hitting every basketball hot spot across the United States, Kevin Love is trying his luck at professional volleyball and Russell Westbrook is enrolled in some classes this semester at UCLA.

What makes Luol Deng and some of the NBA's other elite players so different during the lockout you ask?

Their playing the game they love and representing their countries while doing it.Talk about a great way to market yourself during a work stoppage.

Some teams are a little worried about their players participating in such a tournament, as they are afraid their players may end up injured, which obviously hinders their teams chances of winning whenever the NBA resumes play.

Regardless, their teams realize what an honor it is for a player to represent their country and play against the top International competition that Europe has to offer. The following slides contain the top performers from Eurobasket 2011 so far.

Some of the players who made the list may surprise you with how well they've performed. It will be interesting to see if they can replicate their prodigious production during the NBA season when games start up again.

6. Andrei Kirilenko

Combining his nickname AK-47 along with the fact that he looks like a skinnier version of the bone-crushing boxer Ivan Drago from the Rocky movies, Andrei Kirilenko sounds pretty intimidating.

Although his game has declined a bit in recent years, Kirilenko still comes to battle with a full arsenal. His defensive abilities are still sharp, he rebounds the ball fairly well for a forward, and his ability to score the ball is certainly on display as he is averaging almost 17 PPG during the tournament.

Throw in the fact that he is snatching 2.8 steals per contest in five games so far in the Eurobasket 2011, and it's easy to see that he has certainly lived up to being a devastating weapon, as his nickname of AK-47 implies that he is.

5. Dirk Nowitzki

Come on, you can't tell me you weren't expecting Dirk Nowitzki and his one-legged unblockable fade away to make the list.

Nowitzki has been tearing through the tournament, seeming like he has a personal vendetta against any opponent who crosses his path. He has been kicking in a little over 20 PPG, while shooting his familiar stellar shooting percentages across the board.

Throwing out an honorable mention here to Chris "The Caveman" Kaman only seems right, since he is manning the paint alongside Nowitzki for the German National team.

4. Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol is no stranger to International contests as him and his younger brother Marc have been flanking the power forward and center position for the Spanish National team for years now.

Although Marc has been the toast of the town after a much improved season with the underrated Memphis Grizzlies, Pau has absolutely been the one commanding attention at Eurobasket 2011.

Marc is averaging a respectable 12.8 PPG along with 8 RPG. Nothing wrong with that, but Pau's explosive 21.8 PPG trounce Marc's scoring average by a considerable margin.

It seems as though Marc may be the better rebounder and shot blocker, but Pau is still showing us that he's the one with the scoring touch in the family.

3. Andrea Bargnani

Andrea Bargnani's appearance on this list may surprise some, considering he has yet to prove why he is worthy of a No. 1 pick.

Granted his scoring has certainly been up to snuff, as he has steadily increased his scoring average topping off at 21.8 PPG this past season. However, his inability to be a force on the boards or as a shot-blocker are certainly worrisome for a player who is a legitimate seven footer.

Bargnani has continued to set basketball nets ablaze in the Eurobasket 2011, as he has averaged 22.8 PPG on 50 percent shooting from the field, 35 percent from long distance and 83 percent from the free throw line.

His rebounding numbers have been a bit more impressive as well during the tournament pulling down a more respectable, yet still disappointing 7.4 RPG. His shot-blocking has impresses over five games as well, with him swatting almost two shots per game.

If he is able to carry these improved numbers into the NBA when games resume, him and tenacious rookie Jonas Valanciunas, could be one of the next up-and-coming big man tandems in the league.

2. Tony Parker

Although Tony Parker unfortunately injured himself last game, his craftiness and ability to slash to the hoop have been on full display during the tournament.

Parker has averaged a whopping 23.2 PPG along with 5.4 APG as well.

Since Parker is into his thirties now, the Spurs will likely be holding their breath in hopes that his injury is nothing serious. Luckily for them and the French National team, it seems to be nothing to be concerned with.

If the injury lingers though, look for him to sit out as a precaution, since his main concern will be coming back healthy and help give the aging Spurs one last chance at stealing a title, before the "Big Three" call it a career.

1. Luol Deng

With many NBA players finding creative ways to get noticed during the NBA lockout, from taking classes, to trying other sports and even taking up internships, Deng has gotten noticed performing on the International stage and excelling at a very high level to boot.

Deng's numbers during the Eurobasket 2011 have been more reminiscent of Carmelo Anthony than what we are used to seeing from him in the NBA.

Over five games, Deng has averaged 24.6 PPG, 9.4 RPG and 3.6 APG. Granted the only other recognizable name on Great Britain's roster to NBA junkies would be that of Joel Freeland, who has flirted with coming to the NBA after being drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers.

Although Deng is almost guaranteed not to repeat this kind of production for the Chicago Bulls, it shows just how talented he really is.

Deng is easily one of the most underrated and possibly under-appreciated players in the NBA, if he continues to produce at such a high level on the International stage, we may see him receive the recognition he is so deserving of.

10 Players to Keep an Eye On

10. Nenad Krstic

9. Serge Ibaka

8. Juan Carlos Navarro

7. Ricky Rubio

6. Jonas Valanciunas

5. Marc Gasol

4. Danilo Gallinari

3. Chris Kaman

2. Joakim Noah

1. Nicolas Batum