The top 5 Hispanic players to watch for during the 2014/15 NBA season
The NBA is one of the more diverse professional sports leagues in the world. Over the last few years, the influx of Hispanic/Latin players has…
The NBA is one of the more diverse professional sports leagues in the world. Over the last few years, the influx of Hispanic/Latin players has added to the leagues diversity. Its also given the league a huge marketing advantage, its made their audience grow, its boosted merchandise sales and its created new advertising campaigns.
As the league continues to grow and evolve, so will the revenue streams brought in from Latin American athletes. Especially in cities that have large Hispanic populations like Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and New York. With that being said, here are the top five Latino players to watch for during the upcoming 2014-2015 NBA season.
#5. Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol
Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol celebrates after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder in overtime of Game 3 of an opening-round NBA basketball playoff series Thursday, April 24, 2014, in Memphis, Tenn. The Grizzlies won 98-95. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Although he hasnt achieved the success of his older brother Pau, the 29-year-old Spaniard has started to carve out his own legacy in the league. His physical style of play, his brute force in the paint, and his toughness are a big reason why the Grizzlies have made the playoffs four out of the previous five seasons.
You can also throw in his two Olympic silver medals (2008 and 2012), his FIBA World Championship gold medal (2006), and his four European titles (2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013). With career averages of 14 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, Gasol will always be a force to be reckoned with.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio
This native of Spain is still looking for his breakout season. The Wolves have not been to the playoffs in over a decade, but many feel that Rubio could be the key to get them back into the postseason. Whether or not Kevin Love is still in a TWolves uniform when the season starts (hes been the subject of trade rumors recently), Rubio will still be relied upon for leadership.
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So far hes proven that he can dish out the assists (8.6 per game), and he can play a little defense (2.3 steals per game), but hell need to score a few more points to get his team over the hump (averages 10 points per game). Hell definitely need to increase his scoring output if Love is indeed traded.
At the end of the day however, Rubio is still an exciting player to watch. Hopefully hell get some addition talent around him that will help him realize his full potential.
3. Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford
Injured Atlanta Hawk Al Horford, right, stands next to center Pero Antic near the bench in the first half of the Hawks’ NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, March 13, 2014, in Atlanta. Atlanta won 102-97. (AP Photo/David Tulis)
This Dominican-born big man has been one of the more consistent players in the NBA today. Last season Horford suffered a season-ending injury (torn pectoral muscle), but before the injury he was the main reason why the Hawks made seven consecutive postseason appearances (2008-2014).
He doesnt need to be flashy or overly physical to outperform his opponents. Horford is simply consistent, efficient, and fundamentally sound. When the new season begins in October, Horford should not only be fully healthy, but perhaps he can increase last seasons averages (pre-injury) of 18 points and eight rebounds per contest.
2. New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony
For those who may be wondering, yes Anthony is Latino, hes Puerto Rican on his fathers side. And for those in Chicago and Los Angeles who may feel some anger towards Carmelo, I feel your pain. But lets face it, the Syracuse alum is one of the best players in the league even though he doesnt have a championship to show for it.
He does however have quite a bit of success as a member of the U.S. National Team. Three Olympic medals (Gold in 2008 and 2012, bronze in 2004), a bronze medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, and he won the gold while playing in the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship.
SEE ALSO: Can Pau Gasol still be effective?
On top of that, Anthony is one of the more prolific scorers in the league today. He averages close to 30 points per game, has a .400 career three-point shooting percentage, and is one of the few players who can go toe-to-toe with both LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
The Bulls and Lakers may forever wonder how Melo could have gotten their teams back to the promised land. And Melo may now wonder if hell ever win an NBA title. But what we know for sure is that hes already one of the NBAs elite.
1. Chicago Bulls forward/center Pau Gasol
The Chicago Bulls newest acquisitions, forward Nikola Mirotic, left, and free agent forward/center Pau Gasol pose with their jerseys at a an NBA news conference Friday, July 18, 2014, in Chicago. The Bulls are hoping the new additions will help bolster their offensive attack after they struggled to score at times last year. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Marcs older brother is probably the most successful man on this list, and heres why . Two league titles (2009 and 2010), two Olympic silver medals (2008 and 2012), a FIBA World Championship (2006) and five EuroBasket titles (2001, 2003, 2007, 2009 and 2011).
His versatility and flexibility is why he was drafted to the NBA from Spain 13 years ago. Since then, Gasol has been rookie of the year (2001), an Olympian, a four-time NBA All-Star, and an All-NBA selection, need I say more? The Bulls may not have gotten Carmelo Anthony but theyre still getting a player whos in his prime and will help them succeed for the foreseeable future.
These five men will continue the excellence of Hispanics at the sports highest level.
