By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
As more and more criminally good performances pile up across the Turkish Airlines Euroleague, more and more of the same names are popping up on the most wanted list. It’s not unusual for the usual suspects, but it’s obvious that the dots are the same and it’s just a matter of time before they are connected. It’s quite surprising, however, that once more no arrest were made, leaving most of the alleged criminals free. Such mysteries must be solved, or else the crime wave on the Old Continent will not cease. So don’t be surprised if you have heard of these hoodlums before.
Nikos Zisis: It’s not usual for a “consigliere” to be in the spotlight, but the Greece native has done it again this season. It’s obvious that something strange is going on in Bavaria and he has used his brains once more to get what he wanted. Without blinking he had 14 points on 3 of 6 threes, 4 rebounds and 6 assists. And despite working in the past for CSKA Moscow, he didn’t had any mercy. Brose Baskets Bamberg prevailed and the German champs are looming over Europe once again.
Elliot Williams: The new entry on the list is a new criminal element who has emerged in Athens. He came out of nowhere, wears Green and is ruthless. Nobody knew his face until recently, but his calculated hit in Istanbul against Dogus Darussafaka Istanbul gave his identity away. He is a hitman, ready to do damage when he is least expected to act. Despite a low profile, he had 19 points on 10 of 10 free throw shooting and his “daggers” won this round for Panathinaikos Athens. This was his first arrest, but Williams did not remain in custody for long.
Anthony Randolph: Everyone knows at this point the story of this American gangster, who has made Krasnodar his home base. He is back with a vengeance and Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar is in the playoffs. This time Randolph didn’t need to get his hands that dirty. With 17 points, 3 rebounds, 4 steals and 1 block against Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade, he proved that the Serbian side was unprepared for its assault in the Black Sea. On the contrary, everyone that challenges Randolph and his crew has to pay a hefty price.
Adam Hanga: You may remember this Hungarian, a former juvenile delinquent who became a jack of all trades for the Laboral Kutxa Vitoria Gasteiz gang. He was everywhere in the battle in Spain against FC Barcelona Lassa, doing a little bit of everything. He made all the right moves with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block, plus he delivered the final blow from the free throw line. He is a local legend in Vitoria and of course no one will testify against him.
Vangelis Mantzaris: For the second time this season, the muscle man of Olympiacos proved that he can shoot. After his exhibition on the road against Laboral Kutxa Vitoria Gasteiz, he was deadly in Piraeus against Real Madrid. Nobody saw it coming, but Mantzaris unleased 19 points, making all his 6 of his shots from behind the arc and punishing the Spaniards for treating him without respect. Everyone was expecting him to miss, but things have changed…
Art credit: JPsportart