The AltRaps Blog

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071008.wsptnbaeuro8/GSStory/GlobeSportsBasketball/home“I just remember when people laughed in 1992 when I said that the gap between the U.S. and the rest of the world would close,” he said. “You only need to look at the Toronto Raptors roster to see the internationalization of the game at every level.”

Besides Bargnani, the Raptors feature the Spanish players Jose Calderon and Jorge Garbajosa, Carlos Delfino of Argentina and Rasho Nesterovic of Slovenia.

Also, Bargnani became the first European selected with the top pick in last year’s draft, Dirk Nowitzki of Germany was the league MVP and Tony Parker of France was the MVP in the finals.

“That highlights the contributions being made to our game by international basketball,” Stern said.