Dirk Nowitzki’s reign as Europe’s NBA all-time great may be short lived

The NBA named its All-Time European Teams last week. And three current players could easily surpass the German in the next decade

Basketball has distinctly North American origins: it was invented by Canadian Dr James Naismith while he was teaching at a Massachusetts YMCA. However, since the first basketball game was played back in 1892, the sport has grown into an international concern. Last week, the NBA celebrated its 75th anniversary by naming its All-Time European Teams, voted on by fans and European basketball experts.

The first team was filled with familiar names. Along with two current superstars in Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo, of the Milwaukee Bucks, and Slovenia's Luka Doni, of the Dallas Mavericks, the roster was completed with three retired players who had a huge impact on the NBA: Spain's Pau Gasol, Germany's Dirk Nowitzki and France's Tony Parker.