Which European Stars Have Very Real Hopes of Winning the 2024 NBA Championship as the Playoffs Get Underway (2024)

As the NBA playoffs get underway, expectations for North America’s grandest teams are sky-high. However, in recent years, it has been the stars from the other side of the pond rather than Stateside that have shone brightest. As the opening round of the postseason unfolds, it looks as though this term will be no different.

The biggest story thus far has been the reigning champion Denver Nuggets. Inspired by their giant Serban center Nikola Jokic, the Colorado outfit romped to the Larry O’Brien last term with a 4-1 series victory over an underdog Miami Heat side in the NBA Finals. In their run to the championship, they met LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers, sweeping by four games to zero in the conference finals. This term, the pair have met in the first round and it looks as though they will be swept aside once more. The Joker has top-scored for his side in both of their games so far, romping to an early 2-0 series lead thanks to Kyler Murray’s last-gasp buzzer-beater in game two.

But Jokic isn’t the only European star that harbors very real hopes of a championship ring. As the playoffs progress, the performances of his European compatriots will be under intense scrutiny as the pressure continues to rise. But who are they, and what will their road to the Finals look like?

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo was perhaps the first European star to truly showcase his talents on the grandest stage and take the NBA by storm. He led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first title 40 years back in 2021 as well as becoming a back-to-back MVP in the two years before that. Last season he led his team to top-seed status on the East Coast. However, his team was stunned by the aforementioned Heat in one of the biggest shockers of all time.

This time around, the Bucks head into the postseason as the Eastern Conference’s third seeds and online basketball betting odds make them a +1600 fourth favorite for the Larry O’Brien. They are currently tied at one game apiece in a first-round series against the Indiana Pacers, and it would be another stunning upset should they fail to progress. Despite his side not being the dominant force it once was, the Greek Freak,” has continued to showcase his extraordinary talents.

Averaging 30.4 points – the second highest in the entire league – as well as 11.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game, Giannis has been a force of nature. His unmatched drive has propelled the Bucks in recent years as well as his ability to take over games, but his side will need him to take over an entire series if they are to be successful once again this term.

Luka Dončić

Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic has taken the NBA by storm since being made the third overall draft pick back in 2018. However, while a plethora of personal accolades have followed, team success has not. That has been the case once again this season as the 25-year-old has had a career year, dropping a whopping 73 points on the Atlanta Falcons earlier in the campaign – the fourth-highest total of all time – as well as finishing the regular season with the highest points per game average of anyone, coming in at a mighty 33.9. But his Dallas Mavericks remain unfancied.

They made their way into the playoffs as the fifth seed out west which has left them at the mercy of a Los Angeles Clippers side featuring Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook. With their fearsome trident firing on all cylinders, the Californians are heavily favored to progress, but the Mavs have an ace up their sleeve in their former Real Madrid star. They have already secured a victory at the Crypto.com Arena to level the series at one game apiece and Doncic has top-scored in both games in the series thus far. He will need to continue in a similar vein and continue to put his team on his back if they are to make a deep postseason run.

Rudy Gobert

French center Rudy Gobert has lived up to his nickname as the Stifle Tower so far this season. The Minnesota Timberwolves have stunned everyone this term and their giant Frenchman has been integral to their success. The Minneapolis-based outfit hasn’t won a postseason series in two decades and has only reached the playoffs three times during that time frame. However, they currently find themselves as the Western Conference’s third seed and two games up on the Phoenix Suns.

Gobert has been the man that their success has been built around. He has been a behemoth this term as demonstrated by him coming in second place in total rebounds, and his presence alone has allowed the likes of teammates Anthony Edwards and KArl-Anthony Towns to thrive. His ability to alter shots and control the glass makes him an invaluable asset in the playoffs, where stops are crucial. Gobert’s impact goes beyond the stats sheet, as he often dictates the flow of the game with his defensive prowess.

Lastly, Gobert’s defensive mastery will be crucial to any success his team may have. His presence in the paint and ability to disrupt opposing offenses will play a significant role in Utah’s playoff campaign. The veteran’s impact on the defensive end could very well be the X-factor for the Wolves and a heavyweight clash between them and the reigning champions – specifically the matchup between Jokic and Gobert – is a mouthwatering prospect.

Apr 29, 2024Emmet Ryan

Powered by Sidelines