| Olympics Review: Top 5 International Players |
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| Written by Inaki Angulo | |
| Sunday, 31 August 2008 | |
 The Lakers’ player led the tournament in scoring with 19.6 points per game. He also added seven rebounds per game. Above of the stats, Gasol was the main reference of Spain and the emotional leader. He put all his heart on each game, especially in clutch moments. Perhaps this Olympics has showed the flip side of Pau Gasol; a player able to perform with aggressiveness during the huge moments. 2. Sarunas Jasikevicius (Lithuania) Talking about leadership? This guy is more important in Lithuania than the head coach. Believe me. He decides when he is benched and when he is back on court - he is an extension of the coach. His basketball IQ is outstanding and he manages the games as the best one. He led the tournament in assists with 5.3 assists per game, and he also added 13 points per contest. He can go to the basket, play back to it and kill you from the three point line. In the NBA, Sarunas is a typical case of European player who reached the wrong site. He was signed with the Pacers, but Carlisle didn’t trust him. I have no doubt that he was more talented than Jamaal Tinsley and Kenny Anderson. 3. Luis Scola (Argentina) The Rockets’ power forward showed in the Olympics why he finished second in the NBA rookie of the year balloting. He was the key of his team. Scola and Prigioni played the best pick and role of the tournament. His versatility made him quite difficult to be defended. He spread the D because of his mid range shoot and his outstanding abilities to play back to basket. His 19 points per game (2nd) and his 6.6 rebounds per game give credit to his performance at Beijing. 4. Rudy Fernandez (Spain) The Portland Trail Blazers fans knew before the Olympics how good Brandon Roy and Lamarcus Aldridge are. The even had an idea of what Greg Oden is able to bring to the table. With this emergent big three, the optimistic was very high in Portland; it should have got higher after watching Rudy. Fernandez has showed the entire NBA his skills. Everybody knows about him after his dunk over Dwight Howard. (Who was Superman in that play?). Apart from highlighted plays, he proved that he can score from the perimeter and dribble anyone. His athletic abilities are amazing. For me, the most interesting thing he showed was his poise in the clutch. He put Spain over his shoulders and only his lack of experience led him to elimination with time to play. With no doubt, the best European player entering the NBA in 08’-09’. 5. Yao Ming (China) I rank Ming in the 5th position due to one reason: he didn’t advance to the semifinals. I know that he did not have a reliable supporting cast; however, playing at home, I expected them to be in the medal race. Nevertheless, Yao was the most inspirational guy in the tournament, and he made the difference in the Chinese team. His numbers, 19 points per game (2nd) and 8.2 rebound per game (3rd) reflects his importance for his team.         Comments
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written by Richard B , September 03, 2008
Chinese guards are a bunch of clowns! they do not know how to pa*s, how to organize, and just know how to shoot and turn the ball over and over again. When Yao is not playing at London, China will not even qualify from the group stage. Sun Yue to Lakers? give me a break.
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written by I. Angulo , September 03, 2008
Okei, I really didn't expect them to be in the medals hunt, however, playing at home I expected some battle in the quarters.
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About Kaman, he produced nothing. I was listening ESPN Radio during the tournament and Jason Terry also pointed it. I agree with you Richard, without Yao Ming, they won't make the Olympics in 2012. report abuse
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On another note, it's too bad Dirk Nowitzki stunk it up. With the addition of Kaman, I thought the Germans might make a bit more noise.