ACB league: Who you already know, and who you should know
The second best national league in the world (and, currently, the best one not locked out) will start next weekend. The ACB (now renamed as Liga Endesa due a new sponsoring agreement) curtain will rise with no NBA superstars landing (yet) due to the lockout. But despite not having some big names like Deron Williams or Tony Parker in their rosters, the Spanish league is still the most interesting one in Europe.
If names like Juan Carlos Navarro, Kirk Penney, Sergio Llull, Nando de Colo, Kevin Seraphin or Kyle Singler are not exciting you even a single bit, probably you should stop reading here...
Navarro, ready to play (Source: ACB Photo)
Hey, I know this guy!
-Juan Carlos Navarro: Probably the best player in Europe right now. Barcelona Regal shooting guard has already forgotten a relatively disappointing season in the Grizzlies years ago, and has completed another great summer with the national team. After a gold medal and deserved an Eurobasket MVP award, Navarro is ready to lead his team to dominate Spain (and probably Europe) one more time.
-Rudy Fernández: The "prodigal son" returns to the ACB league. Real Madrid has made a risky investment bringing back the current player of the Mavericks during the lockout. Fernández will try to become again one of the top players in Spain after never fitting in a secondary role with the Blazers.
-Kyle Singler: Former Duke superstar, drafted by the Pistons, has decided to start his professional career in Spain until the lockout ends. Singler will be the main reference in one of the low table teams in the league, Lucentum Alicante. A great chance to shine from day one.
Kyle Singler, from the Duke campus to the Costa Blanca (Source: ACB Photo)
-Kevin Seraphin: Another player who lands in Spain running away from the lockout. Young Wizards forward will cover the injury of former NBA forward Maciej Lampe in Caja Laboral as a luxury short-term replacement.
-Joey Dorsey: Former Rockets, Kings and Raptors big man joins Seraphin in Caja Laboral, but expected to stay during the whole season. A rebounding machine that could be one of the most intimidating players in Europe.
-Pooh Jeter: After a good season in Sacramento as a back-up point guard, the small player returns to Spain to be the leader on the court of one of the more historical European teams, FIATC Joventut.
-Kirk Penney: The "kiwi" sharpshooter, who played briefly in Miami and Clippers, will be one of the main candidates to be the top scorer of the Liga Endesa with Baloncesto Fuenlabrada.
Kirk Penney. Always looking at the basket. Always (Source ACB Photo)
-Antoine Wright: Asefa Estudiantes signed a 6-year NBA veteran forward who wants to prove he's still elite material, after a good last season in China.
-Reggie Williams: The lockout spoiled the confirmation of Williams as a legit NBA player. In Caja Laboral, one of the favorites to the title, will have the chance to show his offensive arsenal.
-Paul Davis: Former Clippers and Wizards center has turned into one of the classiest big man in the league. In his second year in Cajasol, Davis is expected to give a step forward to become the leader of the team.
-Rob Kurz: After a good debut in CB Granada, despite leaving the team in the middle of the season, Kurz (ex-GSW) is back to the ACB league to be the key player of UCAM Murcia in the paint.
-Sergio Rodríguez: Once one of the most exciting European young point guards, Rodríguez is trying to show his best version after a frustrating stint in the NBA. Real Madrid expects a lot from him in his second year.
Sergio Rodríguez ordering the game (Source ACB Photo)
-Cedric Simmons: Another NBA veteran who is building a good career overseas. After being the top rebounder in the Greek league, Simmons wants to dominate the glass for Asefa Estudiantes.
-Boniface NDong: Better forget the raw center that played in the Clippers years ago. Despite being already 34, the Senegalese big man is still able to give some quality minutes for powehouse Barcelona Regal.
-Milt Palacio: A rookie guard in the 1999-2000 season with Vancouver, Palacio seems to have been around forever. Now he will have a good chance to shine in recently promoted Blu:Sens Monbus.
-Jorge Garbajosa: One of the most important basketball players in recent Spanish history, former Raptors forward will now assume a secondary role in Unicaja in the fall of his career.
-Taurean Green: Two-time NCAA champion as a Gator, Green will be the starting point guard of Gran Canaria 2014 after recovering from a season-ending injury.
Taurean Green, a man proud of his tattoos (Source ACB Photo)
-Raül López: Injuries spoiled the NBA career of one of the classiest European point guards of the last decade. After two years in Russia, López is back to Spain with Bizkaia Bilbao Basket
-Mouhamed Saer Sene: The Senegalese shot-blocking machine returned to France a couple of years ago after a disappointing stint in the NBA. Now he will test his skills with Baloncesto Fuenlabrada.
-Bracey Wright: Former Timberwolves shooting guard continues his nomadic (6 teams in 5 years) career in Europe with CAI Zaragoza, assuming the goal of being one of the top scorers of the league.
-Kosta Perovic: After returning to Europe from the NBA, the Serbian giant showed in Valencia Basket that he can be a good player in Europe. Now, in Barcelona Regal, he is still fighting for a main role in the team.
-Dalibor Bagaric: Former Bulls center is still waiting the FIBA to authorize his transfer to Blancos de Rueda Valladolid after finally having a good individual season in Greece.
-Robert Archibald: Another player that would have had a better NBA career if it wasn't for the injuries. Now an appreciated veteran back-up center in Spain, Archibald will give experience to the CAI Zaragoza frontcourt.
-Pape Sow: Former Raptors center signed a one-month contract with FIATC Joventut. The Senegalese big man is suffering some physical problems that could jeopardize his options in the Catalan team.
Hey, I should know this guy!
-Nikola Mirotic: The Bulls already know him for good. Real Madrid forward, awarded as the best young player in the last Euroleague, will continue his progression after being drafted in first-round by Chicago.
-Fran Vázquez: The Magic spent a lottery pick in him years ago, but Vázquez is still in Spain. In case somebody's wondering, there's still NBA potencial in Barcelona Regal center, one of the best defensive players of the league.
-Aaron Jackson: The most pleasant surprise of the last season with Bizkaia Bilbao Basket, Jackson is one of the most electrifying players of the ACB league. A point guard able to be a game changer at all times.
-Marcelinho Huertas: Another talented point guard that will have to fill the blank left by new "Wolf" Ricky Rubio in Barcelona Regal. In the prime of his career, the Brazilian player has what it takes to do it.
-Fernando San Emeterio: He will probably never be in the NBA, but very few doubted that he deserved the MVP award in the ACB last season. One of the most smart and hard-nosed players in Europe.
-Sergio Llull: Explosive Rockets draftee didn't make enough progress after another disappointing season of his team, Real Madrid. Now, Llull will have the chance to improve having more minutes as a point guard.
-Mirza Teletovic: One of the best shooters in Europe and a legit NBA talent, the Bosnian big man could be the leader of Caja Laboral. He would need to become a more physical player to dominate the glass.
-Gustavo Ayón: Another surprise from last season, the Mexican center returns to Baloncesto Fuenlabrada as one of the most intimidating big man of the league. The NBA is already following his steps.
-Jaycee Carroll: Top scorer of the ACB league during the last two seasons with Gran Canaria 2014, but a little undersized for the NBA, Carroll arrives to Real Madrid to show he can be also dangerous in an elite European team.
-Nando De Colo: French talented combo guard will play for the third consecutive season in Valencia Basket with the Spurs, the team that own his NBA rights, keeping an eye on him. De Colo just needs to be a little bit more consistent.
-Joel Freeland: The British big man is already the go-to guy in Unicaja, a candidate to the title. Blazers draftee is quietly becoming one of the best centers in Europe.
-Tomas Satoransky: One of the best kept secrets in Spain is this 19-year-old Czech point guard. An explosive, talented and skilled player on the verge of his breakthrough year with Cajasol.
-Ante Tomic: Another big man followed by the franchise that own his rights, Utah. Real Madrid seven-footer needs to get more agressive to be a legit NBA player, but it's talented enough to be an important player in Europe.
-Erazem Lorbek: The Spurs acquired his NBA rights after last draft, and not by a coincidence. The Barcelona Regal forward is one of the most skilled big men in Europe. His posting moves are pure gold.
-Víctor Claver: Another Blazers draftee. Valencia Basket fans and, in general, every Spanish fan is still waiting for his definitive breakthrough. An injury interrupted it a year ago. His time has finally come. Probably.
-Josep Franch: The future of the Spanish national team is also in this point guard, who will have an important role in his new team, UCAM Murcia, after winning the last U20 European Championship as a starter.
-Xavi Rabaseda: Another future star who will have now the toughest test: earning minutes in the powerful Barcelona Regal. Explosive and talented, he's still a little bit raw to be an important player in his team.
-Henk Norel: Young Dutch center, drafted by the Wolves a couple of seasons ago, is already a veteran in his team, FIATC Joventut. Still waiting for his definitive explosion as a dominant player.
-Mouhamed Saer Sene: The Senegalese shot-blocking machine returned to France a couple of years ago after a disappointing stint in the NBA. Now he will test his skills with Baloncesto Fuenlabrada.
-Bracey Wright: Former Timberwolves shooting guard continues his nomadic (6 teams in 5 years) career in Europe with CAI Zaragoza, assuming the goal of being one of the top scorers of the league.
-Kosta Perovic: After returning to Europe from the NBA, the Serbian giant showed in Valencia Basket that he can be a good player in Europe. Now, in Barcelona Regal, he is still fighting for a main role in the team.
Kosta Perovic, waiting to play (Source ACB Photo)
-Dalibor Bagaric: Former Bulls center is still waiting the FIBA to authorize his transfer to Blancos de Rueda Valladolid after finally having a good individual season in Greece.
-Robert Archibald: Another player that would have had a better NBA career if it wasn't for the injuries. Now an appreciated veteran back-up center in Spain, Archibald will give experience to the CAI Zaragoza frontcourt.
-Pape Sow: Former Raptors center signed a one-month contract with FIATC Joventut. The Senegalese big man is suffering some physical problems that could jeopardize his options in the Catalan team.
Hey, I should know this guy!
-Nikola Mirotic: The Bulls already know him for good. Real Madrid forward, awarded as the best young player in the last Euroleague, will continue his progression after being drafted in first-round by Chicago.
Nikola Mirotic. Balling. As usual (Source ACB Photo)
-Fran Vázquez: The Magic spent a lottery pick in him years ago, but Vázquez is still in Spain. In case somebody's wondering, there's still NBA potencial in Barcelona Regal center, one of the best defensive players of the league.
-Aaron Jackson: The most pleasant surprise of the last season with Bizkaia Bilbao Basket, Jackson is one of the most electrifying players of the ACB league. A point guard able to be a game changer at all times.
-Marcelinho Huertas: Another talented point guard that will have to fill the blank left by new "Wolf" Ricky Rubio in Barcelona Regal. In the prime of his career, the Brazilian player has what it takes to do it.
-Fernando San Emeterio: He will probably never be in the NBA, but very few doubted that he deserved the MVP award in the ACB last season. One of the most smart and hard-nosed players in Europe.
Nobody mess around with Fernando San Emeterio (Source ACB Photo)
-Sergio Llull: Explosive Rockets draftee didn't make enough progress after another disappointing season of his team, Real Madrid. Now, Llull will have the chance to improve having more minutes as a point guard.
-Mirza Teletovic: One of the best shooters in Europe and a legit NBA talent, the Bosnian big man could be the leader of Caja Laboral. He would need to become a more physical player to dominate the glass.
-Gustavo Ayón: Another surprise from last season, the Mexican center returns to Baloncesto Fuenlabrada as one of the most intimidating big man of the league. The NBA is already following his steps.
-Jaycee Carroll: Top scorer of the ACB league during the last two seasons with Gran Canaria 2014, but a little undersized for the NBA, Carroll arrives to Real Madrid to show he can be also dangerous in an elite European team.
-Nando De Colo: French talented combo guard will play for the third consecutive season in Valencia Basket with the Spurs, the team that own his NBA rights, keeping an eye on him. De Colo just needs to be a little bit more consistent.
Nando de Colo likes to handle the ball. That's good (Source ACB Photo)
-Joel Freeland: The British big man is already the go-to guy in Unicaja, a candidate to the title. Blazers draftee is quietly becoming one of the best centers in Europe.
-Tomas Satoransky: One of the best kept secrets in Spain is this 19-year-old Czech point guard. An explosive, talented and skilled player on the verge of his breakthrough year with Cajasol.
-Ante Tomic: Another big man followed by the franchise that own his rights, Utah. Real Madrid seven-footer needs to get more agressive to be a legit NBA player, but it's talented enough to be an important player in Europe.
-Erazem Lorbek: The Spurs acquired his NBA rights after last draft, and not by a coincidence. The Barcelona Regal forward is one of the most skilled big men in Europe. His posting moves are pure gold.
Erazem Lorbek ready for another moves masterclass (Source ACB Photo)
-Víctor Claver: Another Blazers draftee. Valencia Basket fans and, in general, every Spanish fan is still waiting for his definitive breakthrough. An injury interrupted it a year ago. His time has finally come. Probably.
-Josep Franch: The future of the Spanish national team is also in this point guard, who will have an important role in his new team, UCAM Murcia, after winning the last U20 European Championship as a starter.
-Xavi Rabaseda: Another future star who will have now the toughest test: earning minutes in the powerful Barcelona Regal. Explosive and talented, he's still a little bit raw to be an important player in his team.
-Henk Norel: Young Dutch center, drafted by the Wolves a couple of seasons ago, is already a veteran in his team, FIATC Joventut. Still waiting for his definitive explosion as a dominant player.
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