MIES (Switzerland) - The NBA season starts today. And some of the best players in the world got better this summer playing with their national team. Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo, Serbia's Nikola Jokic and Slovenia's Luka Doncic each had visions of reaching the top of the podium at the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 in Berlin, yet each came up well short of that aim.

The three superstars did, however, have fulfilling, unforgettable summers that made them better players and deepened their affection for their national teams. Each left their comfort zones to help their teams and in the process improved.

"I THINK YOU REALLY NEED TO HAVE QUICK THINKING (IN INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL)"

While donning the Serbia jersey, Jokic, the two-time reigning NBA MVP of the Denver Nuggets, constantly adapted his game to cope with a "harder" version of basketball.

"It's a different game," he said.

"Of course, it's a little bit because of the rules. A little bit with the spaces on the floor, the three-point line. There's no defensive three-second violation in the key. The floor is smaller. The big man can be in the paint. The three-point line is shorter...

"Is it harder? Yes, because I think you really need to have quick thinking. In the NBA, if you go by the guy, you can see the help is coming. In Europe, help is always there. So, you need to think and play ahead."

Jokic stayed in shape by playing for Serbia, and he also gave his countrymen an opportunity to see their best player in live action.

In an electric atmosphere, Jokic led Serbia past Antetokounmpo and Greece in Belgrade on August 25 in the European Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. He had 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the 100-94 overtime triumph.

Antetokounmpo's performance of 40 points, eight rebounds and five assists was probably even more impressive.

These games were not easy for Antetokounmpo. He faced clogged lanes all summer, in the European Qualifiers, and at the EuroBasket where Greece won all of their games before falling to hosts Germany in the Quarter-Finals.

By encountering different defenses in the intense battles of the EuroBasket, the Milwaukee Bucks talisman who won back-to-back NBA MVP awards immediately before Jokic is going to be better.

The most compelling aspect of Antetokounmpo's experience? It was his emotions.

Voted to the EuroBasket All-Star Five, Antetokounmpo wrote on Instagram: "This summer. This team. This jersey. This flag. Made me fall in love with basketball again. We kept our promise, we gave it all."

 
Doncic, after spearheading Slovenia's charge into the Tokyo Olympics and a fourth place finish at the Summer Games, played for the national again this summer.

He competed in both windows of the European Qualifiers, and in their entire EuroBasket campaign.

Already viewed as one of the world's best players like Jokic and Antetokounmpo, playing for the national team nevertheless forced him to take on different challenges that will benefit him in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks.

In Germany, where Slovenia played all of their EuroBasket games, he recognized where he was needed most on a game-by-game basis and adapted accordingly.

"EUROPEAN BASKETBALL IS MORE TEAM BASKETBALL, MORE TACTICAL."

In the first two games against Lithuania and Hungary, Doncic only took a combined 25 shots and was instead the conductor of the orchestra. He had 10 assists against the former and seven against the latter - both Slovenia victories.

Against France in a game Slovenia needed to win to clinch first, Doncic scored - A LOT.

He attempted 23 shots and 12 free-throws. When it was over, he'd poured in 47 points - something that had never been done in the modern era of the EuroBasket.

Yes, even Doncic, already known as a great scorer, grew in confidence by torching France for 47 - the most scored by a player in a single game in the last 65 years. 

During the NBA season, Doncic had talked about the challenge of playing in Europe versus the NBA. He knew how difficult the games would end up being.

"European basketball is more team basketball, more tactical," he said on The Old Man & The Three podcast. "The court is smaller, fouls are different, the rules are different and you have less time."

In other FIBA zones, the international basketball experience was equally challenging and rewarding.

At the Asia Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz had longed to make an appearance in front of his countrymen and the experience lived up to expectations.

Coach Chot Reyes watched in wide-eye amazement as Clarkson followed up his 27 points in a narrow defeat at Lebanon with 23 at home in a rout of Saudi Arabia, while making five of eight from three-point range.

"You've seen my shooting numbers," he said.

"I felt the energy of the crowd. It's different playing at home in front of your own people. I can't wait to come back here again and play some more games, have everyone behind us and win some more games."

Clarkson didn't shy away from responsibility. He averaged 6.5 assists during the window. The performances reinforced for him the belief that he can play either guard spot for Utah.

"If the position is there (with Utah) where I have to become more of the playmaker and lead the team, kind of put it together for the Utah Jazz, that’s just what I’m going to have to do," he said. "I know I can pass, I can play-make, I can do a lot of things. I’m ready for whatever."

In Canada this summer, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played in both windows of the Americas Qualifiers for the World Cup.

In a 95-75 win over the Dominican Republic, a game staged in Hamilton, Ontario, on Canada Day and billed as Gilgeous-Alexander's homecoming, the man that has dazzled NBA crowds with the Oklahoma City Thunder had 32 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.

He wasted no time in making an impact with a drive into the lane to dunk with his left hand.

Canada will no doubt benefit from his presence in the big games ahead.

"It was so fun, just knowing that all the people that have seen me grow since I was in high school were there to see me play," he said.  "I knew this day was coming and it went just how I wanted it to."

Gilgeous-Alexander grew even more in the next window.

He was spectacular in a 99-87 win over the Facundo Campazzo-led Argentina on August 25 in Victoria, Canada, with 23 points, eight assists and four rebounds.

FIBA