By George Orfanakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA is without a doubt by far the top championship in the world since it brings together the cream of the crop of world basketball. Kids from every corner of the world want to compete in the “magical world,” where the successful players, and not only them, enjoy particularly hefty salaries. The first years of adjustment might be difficult and… badly paid but from the moment of distinction onwards, the contracts start to soar.
Using the data of Hoopshype.com, Eurohoops found the 10 most highly paid international players that have ever played in the NBA and the truth is that the figures… are dizzying! The list includes some of the most important names ever to play on the other side of the Atlantic, while at the same time it is certain that we’re dealing with figures they could never obtain in Europe.
10. Andrei Kirilenko – $107,009,659
The Russian forward left Europe and Russia for the Utah Jazz in the summer of 2001. He played for “the Mormons” for 10 years in total, while he has also played in the colors of the Timberwolves and the Nets. The truth is that the amount of 107 million dollars is not representative of his presence all these years, however there have been seasons when his participation in various statistical categories was impressive. It’s telling that in the 111-98 win of the Jazz over the Raptors during the 2006-06 season, Kirilenko was the first player who managed to get a triple-double after Karl Malone (1999) with 18 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists.
09. Hakeem Olajuwon – $107,011,426
The truth is that for everything he achieved mostly with the colors of the Rockets, Hakeem Olajuwon hasn’t gotten a lot of money. He completed his career with two championship rings (1994, 1995) and he managed to become MVP of the finals in equal amount of times. He was chosen for the All Star Game 12 times in total and he’s without a doubt one of the most important centers that have ever stepped on the courts of the NBA. As you’ll see below in this article, he’s positioned lower than players of considerably lower value and this mostly has to do with the era in which he played.