The FIBA Global Cup is right here, and moment basketball junkies have a good time, aimless enthusiasts would possibly shrug on the deficit of A-listers competing.

Timberwolves defend Anthony Edwards is the face of Crew USA. Or possibly it’s Knicks defend Jalen Brunson. Heck, for Lakers and Sooners enthusiasts, it may well be Austin Reaves.

Reigning MVP Joel Embiid isn’t competing — neither for Crew USA nor France (he’s a citizen of each countries). Nikola Jokic, having simply led the Nuggets to the NBA identify, is sitting out for Serbia. Jokic’s operating mate, Jamal Murray, isn’t enjoying for Canada. Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak, could also be out.

This led ESPN’s Tim Bontemps to name Thunder megastar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander “arguably the best player in the field.” As excellent or higher, Bontemps added, than Slovenian celebrity Luka Doncic.

Top celebrate for SGA, who joined Doncic at the All-NBA first group endmost season.

However who else is then them? Right here’s my score of gamers within the FIBA Global Cup.

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1. Luka Doncic, Slovenia (Mavericks)

Unpopular opinion round right here, I do know.

Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic each averaged 30-plus issues endmost season, however SGA used to be extra environment friendly. Defensively, SGA is much higher than Doncic. And Gilgeous-Alexander led his Thunder to the play-in match endmost season moment Doncic and the Mavericks embarrassingly bowed out.

However I’m no longer basing my record off of endmost season lonely. Gilgeous-Alexander simply made his first All-Big name and All-NBA group. Donic, virtually a week more youthful than SGA, is a four-time All-Big name and four-time All-NBAer. Doncic additionally has a Western Convention Finals look on his resume.

Extra: OKC Thunder mailbag: Who’s in Mark Daigneault’s nine-man rotation for 2023-24 season?

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada (Thunder)

What a breakout season SGA had. In the event you forgot: 31.4 issues on 51% capturing, 5.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks in step with recreation.

Gilgeous-Alexander completed 5th in MVP vote casting in spite of the Thunder (40-42) having a shedding document.

Gilgeous-Alexander may just make stronger his superstatus by means of chief the Canadians to the gold medal.

3. Anthony Edwards, USA (Timberwolves)

Within the American citizens’ group picture, Edwards is sitting entrance and middle with a smile on his face and a basketball in his arms. He has the persona and the sport to be the darling of this match.

The previous Disagree. 1 select simply grew to become 22, and he’s already probably the greatest two-way forces on this planet.

Haliburton averaged 20.7 issues and 10.4 assists in his first complete season with the Pacers. The previous Cyclone from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, earned his first All-Big name nod.

Haliburton more than likely doesn’t have as prime of a ceiling as the primary 3 in this record, however I think assured sliding him into the Disagree. 4 spot.

It got here right down to Ingram vs. Brunson, and I’ll move with the fluid 6-foot-8 ahead over the undersized defend.

It sort of feels like we’re all looking ahead to Ingram to hurry that then step, to ascertain himself no longer because the then Kevin Durant, however the closest factor to KD. And but Ingram, about to show 26, has but to put together an All-NBA group. In alternative phrases, he’s but to be considered one of the most 15 very best gamers in basketball.

Possibly Ingram by no means reaches the ones heights, however don’t let that cut price how excellent he’s. In his 4 years with the Pelicans, since being traded from the Lakers, Ingram has averaged 23.7 issues on 47% capturing, together with 38% 3-point capturing.

Extra: The way to observe OKC Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey & Co. at FIBA Global Cup

6. Jalen Brunson, USA (Knicks)

Wish to put Brunson at Disagree. 4? You gained’t listen a word of honour out of me. He used to be that excellent for the Knicks endmost season.

Out of Doncic’s silhoutte in Dallas, Brunson averaged 24 issues, 6.2 assists and three.5 rebounds in step with recreation in Pristine York.

Brunson will captain Crew USA.

I’ll hurry Jackson’s protection over Karl-Anthony Cities’ offense.

Jackson, the reigning Defensive Participant of the Date and a two-time blocks champ, is extremely impactful when he’s no longer in foul bother.

He may also be an apprehension at the offensive finish as a contemporary energy ahead. He averaged 18.6 issues in step with recreation endmost season, capturing 36% from 3-point space on 4.5 makes an attempt in step with recreation.

8. Karl-Anthony Cities, Dominican Republic (Timberwolves)

The place to fit Cities? He’s an enigma — extremely gifted offensively and too regularly detached defensively. We’ve noticeable {that a} group with Cities as its centerpiece can’t move some distance. Thankfully for the Wolves, Edwards has assumed that identify.

Nevertheless it’s like nobody advised Cities, and that’s a part of the sickness.

Who is that this guy? For sure greater than the 3-and-D poster kid he as soon as used to be. In 27 video games with the Nets, then his industry from Phoenix, Bridges averaged 26.1 issues on 48% capturing.

It’s crisp to know the way actual that used to be given the pattern measurement, however underestimate Bridges at your personal possibility.

I voted Markkanen 2d group All-NBA endmost season. Time he completed scale down of an All-NBA nod, Markkanen used to be commemorated because the Maximum Stepped forward Participant.

The Finnish ahead averaged 25.6 issues and eight.6 rebounds in step with recreation. He used to be the engine that propelled Utah to a miracle season.

Honorable mentions: Josh Giddey (Australia), Franz Wagner (Germany), Austin Reaves (USA), Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania), Rudy Gobert (France), Lu Dort (Canada), Cam Johnson (USA), Jordan Clarkson (Philippines), Dennis Schroder (Germany)

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This newsletter at first gave the impression on Oklahoman: FIBA Global Cup: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are very best in garden