Top-five contenders: Aris, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, Panionios, PAOK

If NBA lockout had started before Greece’s economic crisis, we probably would have seen many more NBA players playing in Europe this season.

Olympiacos Piraeus was a pioneer of signing NBA role players, not bench warmers, in Europe and was also one of the most active off-season teams in last few years. The Reds shocked the basketball world by signing Josh Childress back in 2008 and bringing players like Von Wafer and Linas Kleiza. Olympiacos was even trying to sign Nate Robinson or Stephon Marbury when the lockout was far away.

However, while other Euroleague teams were trying to decide which NBA player they want to have on their squad, Olympiacos was just a spectator due to Greece's economic climate. Piraeus, who also once signed big names, filled roster spots with cheaper players and NCAA graduates.

Despite all the financial problems, Olympiacos should reach the Greek league finals, where they’ll meet their biggest rivals Panathinaikos Athens, the main favorite to win the league (as usual). Panathinaikos is led by Dimitris Diamantidis, Nick Calathes and Mike Batiste.

The Greens has won ten championships in a row and still counting. The most successful European basketball club of last decade began the new decade by winning Euroleague last season and seems to be head and shoulders better than any of their opponents in Greece.

NBA players in Greece:

Jon Diebler (Portland Trail Blazers) - Panionios (no NBA-out)