ESPN top 10 SF's: 1. LeBron 2. Bird

[fairweatherfan]

The reason there is so much international talent today is because the talent level is not as good in today's league. They had to import talent from other countries.

I'd attribute it to Michael Jordan's global popularity resulting in international kids playing a lot more hoop than ever before.

The Dream Team was a bigger factor.

Both were huge, and so was the league's decades-long effort to popularize the game overseas through clinics and TV (later Internet) coverage.  One of the most underrated aspects of Stern's tenure, though companies like Nike contributed greatly too.

[KGs Knee]

The reason there is so much international talent today is because the talent level is not as good in today's league. They had to import talent from other countries.

I'd attribute it to Michael Jordan's global popularity resulting in international kids playing a lot more hoop than ever before.

The Dream Team was a bigger factor.

Both were huge, and so was the league's decades-long effort to popularize the game overseas through clinics and TV (later Internet) coverage.  One of the most underrated aspects of Stern's tenure, though companies like Nike contributed greatly too.

For as evil and arrogant as Stern was, and despite the fact I never cared for the way he made sure stars got the benefit of the whistle (something he created), Stern had a vision for expanding the game that was excellent.

He brought the NBA from tape delayed Finals to North America's most popular international sport.  He made the NBA owners a ton of money. He was wildly successful.