Kristaps Porzingis is leading a revolution in the NBA, which is being dominated by players from every corner of the globe.
When the results of the first round of fan voting for the NBA All-Star Game were released, there was one huge surprise. The second-leading vote getter among front court players in the Western Conference was a 32-year-old journeyman who was averaging barely five points and five rebounds per game: Zaza Pachulia. The Warriors center had more votes than superstars such as Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs, Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans, and Golden State teammate Draymond Green.
How did Pachulia, who had scored more than 10 points in a game only three times all year, get so much support? The big guy is a native of Georgia— the European country, not the American state. Fans in his homeland were so eager to get their countryman into the game that they stuffed the virtual ballot box. The Facebook page of one of the country’s largest banks posted detailed instructions on how to vote for Pachulia.
Pachulia ended up missing out on an All-Star spot. (Starters were determined by a combination of fan votes, media votes, and player votes.) But the support he received showed once again just how popular the NBA has become outside of the United States. The game has rabid fans in all corners of the globe—and they have more local heroes than ever to root for.
Making Their Mark
Pachulia is one of 113 players from 41 foreign countries who were on NBA rosters when this season began. That’s an all-time record, and it represents a serious increase. In 1999, only 40 foreign-born players were in the league.
Denne historien er fra March 2017-utgaven av Sports Illustrated for Kids.
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Denne historien er fra March 2017-utgaven av Sports Illustrated for Kids.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Sister Act
Meet Brooke, Tai, and Rainn Sheppard, three athletes from Brooklyn who are excelling in their sport, spreading optimism, and thriving off the track.
How to Win at the Slots
When offenses started moving receivers inside to exploit matchups, defenses countered by inventing a part-time linebacker-safety-corner hybrid. In today’s NFL, that’s one of the most important (and challenging) spots on the field.
Do Teams Fire Coaches Too Quickly?
ON JANUARY 6 the Tennessee Titans beat the Kansas City Chiefs for their first playoff win in 14 years.
Court Vision
Former point guard DORIS BURKE uses her hoops knowledge— and a tireless work ethic—to be one of the best NBA analysts.
embiid, indiid
after two years in which he contemplated quitting as he battled injuries and nursed shirley temples, joel embiid is finally in the 76ers’ lineup — and out to validate “the process.”
Should Franchises Ever Relocate?
ON JANUARY 12, the San Diego Chargers announced that they were relocating to Los Angeles.
Get Your Head In The Game
In sports you train your body to be in tip-top shape. But what about your mind? Meet Graham Betchart, who is on a quest to expand mental conditioning throughout athletics.
Island Livin
A cornerback must have confidence and control to shut down opposing receiver's in today's pass-happy NFL
late breakout
in his 12th year in pro football, bills linebacker lorenzo alexander has proved what his teammates have always known: this guy can play.
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Team :Alabama Crimson Tide ,Position: Defensive Back, Spotlight :After winning a second national title at Alabama, this serious (and seriously talented) go-getter will pursue success at the game’s top level.
