This month, however, there is a special treat: EuroBasket 2022 (you can catch the games on ESPN+). It's a two-and-a-half-week tournament in which teams are vying to qualify for the FIBA World Cup. So far, the games have been exciting and driven by star power. In fact, the top team from each of the 4 groups carries a slew of NBA talent.
Group A: Spain
While formidable and leading their group, Spain seems very beatable, especially compared to recent years when they had teams with the Gasol brothers, Jose Calderon, and Ricky Rubio.
Group B: Slovenia
Slovenia is sitting at 4-1, just ahead of the tough competition of Germany and France. Slovenia is a small country of just 2.1 million people, and the weak supporting cast of this team is reflective of that. However, the country is blessed with two great players that are the team's driving force: (1) Luka Doncic, arguably the best young basketball player in the world; and (2) Goran Dragic, who is operating as a sixth man, a lightning bolt of energy for when Doncic needs a breather.
Both Doncic and Dragic are amazing in that they operate as offenses unto themselves. They're like a lightning and thunder running back duo. Doncic is powerful and methodical and brilliant. As usual, he's been bullying defenders on the perimeter, but also surprisingly, he's been taking his game down to the post. That power alone would be overwhelming, but coupled with his surgical execution, the other teams have been completely flustered. Dragic has only made that worse as Doncic's perfect compliment. His lightning speed and unpredictability push other teams off-balance, loosening them up for when Doncic takes back the reins.
So far, the results have been magical for the small country. On Tuesday, Luka scored 47 points against perennial powerhouse France and led Slovenia to the win. His 47 was the second most in EuroBasket history! And he put on a show in doing so; check out this one-legged three:
Of course, that was just par for the course. This entire tourney has been Luka's playground. Check out this nutmeg, alley-oop combo ...
Group C: Greece
Greece is one of only two remaining unbeaten teams, sitting at 4-0. They, of course, are led by the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo. And so far in this tournament, Giannis has not disappointed. On Tuesday against Ukraine, Giannis scored 41 points on an amazingly efficient 13-for-18 from the floor and 15-for-18 from the line. Overall, he's leading the tournament in scoring, averaging 31 ppg.Greece seems poised to challenge for the title. Not only because they have the best player, but because they have a solid supporting cast. Some of their NBA talent includes Tyler Dorsey (current Maverick guard, who averaged about 10 ppg for the Grizz a few years back); Nick Calathes (multi-year NBA pro, who was a triple-double machine and former SEC player of the year for the Florida Gators), and the lesser known Antetokounmpo brothers.
In the first week, all this talent has meshed, leaving the team with a perfect record and highlights like this ...
Group D: Serbia
Besides Greece, the only other undefeated team is Serbia, also at 4-0. Serbia is led none by none other than the "Dad Bod God," Nikola Jokic. So far, Jokic is averaging about 20 ppg on an absurd 65% shooting. His performance is leaving Nuggets fans hoping that a third straight MVP might be on the horizon.
Alongside Jokic is Vasilijie Micic. At 6'5", Micic is a former draft pick of the Bulls, who spurned the NBA for the EuroLeague, where he won back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022 and a league MVP in 2021. Currently, Micic is second on Serbia in scoring at 15 ppg. He's a magician with the ball and knows how score the rock. If you haven't heard of him, this smooth conbo-guard's highlights are worth checking out ...
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