Building an All World Team as Challenged by Nicolas Batum

With a simple challenge by Nicolas Batum on social media, we decided to accept the challenge and build a ten man roster using all different nationalities.

On Saturday, the NBA hosted their annual Africa game in Johannesburg where Team World squared off against Team Africa.

Players such as Dirk Nowitzki, Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Lowry suited up for Team World while players such as Serge Ibaka, Emmanuel Mudiay and Victor Oladipo suited up for Team Africa.

On Sunday, Nicolas Batum took to Twitter to challenge his Twitter followers in creating a ten man roster using players from all different nationalities.

Challenge accepted.

Point Guard

The point guard spot is a prime position to pull the player from the United States like Stephen Curry or Russell Westbrook, but I’m electing to use that American spot later.

At starting point guard, I’m going with the newly signed Los Angeles Clipper in Milos Teodosic from Serbia. He is regarded as the best passer in the world by many and would have plenty of people to pass the ball to in this lineup.

Backing him up is Goran Dragic out of Slovenia.

*Considered: Patty Mills

Shooting Guard

From Canada, I have the youngster in Andrew Wiggins. He doesn’t give the shooting you would desire, but would provide an all around game perfect for this type of lineup.

Backing Wiggins up, I went with the veteran in Manu Ginobili from Argentina. Manu is at the end of his career, but still possesses a skill set that not many in the league have.

*Considered: Evan Fournier, James Harden

Small Forward

Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece was one of the first names I wrote down on the list. He would be the stud of this team alongside of his other wing counterpart.

Backing the Greek Freak up, I have Danilo Gallinari of Italy. Gallo gives a scoring versatility off the bench that could play both forward positions.

*Considered: Nicolas Batum, LeBron James

Power Forward

It was tempting to use the USA spot at the point, but I went with Kevin Durant at my power forward spot. The former MVP and Finals MVP, Durant and Giannis in the same lineup would be unfair.

Backing Durant up is none other than Dirk Nowitzki of Germany. In the last few years of his career, Nowitzki is still putting up numbers and passing up people in the record books.

*Considered: Nikola Jokic

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Center

Choosing the big men for this team was definitely the hardest, but I went with Rudy Gobert of France as my starting center.

Backing up Gobert is Joel Embiid of Cameroon. If Embiid can ever stay healthy, he has the potential to be one of the best big men in the league with his all around game.

*Considered: Marc Gasol, Al Horford

Batum later tweeted out his choices for the challenge.

With the guideline of having players from all different nationalities, it caused problems for countries such as France and Serbia. This is what resulted in having Nicolas Batum and Nikola Jokic off the team.

Next: Predicting NBA2k18 Ratings for the Dallas Mavericks

Either way, thanks for the challenge Nico Batum.