By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
They are the Earth’s mightiest heroes and they are currently in cinema theaters across the world! While the cinematic Marvel heroes as battling Ultron, Eurohoops has picked their real-life Euroleague equivalents on the way to the Final Four.
After all professional athletes can be superheroes in their own way, doing amazing things on the court and provide thrills to their audience that can rival even the most well-made Hollywood popcorn. So, it’s time to meet the Euroleague version of this team. As they never said so far in the movies – but do in the comic books – Avengers assemble!
Jaycee Carroll as Hawkeye
That was more than easy to pick. Hawkeye has a bow and arrows and Carroll is one of the best three points shooter in the old continent. Carroll’s shooting will be crucial for Real Madrid‘s success as the “Whites” after two lost finals are hosting the event and they hope that third time will be a charm. One may argue that the cinematic version of Hawkeye is much more down to earth, compared to the comic version of him and the always soft-spoken American guard who is deadly behind the three points line fits the role perfectly.
Bryant Duston as the Hulk
Sorry Big Sofo, but Maccabi this year didn’t get to play for the title! On the contrary, Dunston is for the second year in a row Euroleague’s best defender and one of the most important players in Olympiacos‘ rotation. He is an intimidating presence in the paint and a great pick and roll finisher. Still, his numbers were better last season, something that probably has to do also with the presence of Othello Hunter in the team. In any case, the Reds expect him to Hulk out in Madrid. And yes, Green is not a color for Olympiacos, but in the comics, there was a red version
Andrew Goudelock as Captain America
This is also a case in which a player was more than fitting the part – we are talking about Justin Doellman – but Barcelona didn’t make it. That’s how Andrew Goudelock will fight the good fight for Fenerbahce as the star-spangled Avenger, being the most gifted American scorer in the league. It’s not surprising that Goudelock after a stellar year with Unics is producing and now he has to face the biggest challenge of his European career. He is adored in Istanbul and as a plus, he fits recent comics continuity in which Sam Wilson, the superhero known as the “Falcon”, has taken the mantle of captain American from his old friend Steve Rogers.
Aaron Jackson as Nick Fury
Like Fury he is the man working in the background, never getting the spotlight like the rest of CSKA. However, when things are really crucial, he steps from the bench and makes a difference on the court, something that will be more than important for him to do against Olympiacos. Jackson could be a perfect Fury, doubling for Samuel L. Jackson in the iconic part. He is always ready to change the tempo and being a game changer is what Fury is all about in the cinematic Marvel universe. Can he be the secret weapon of CSKA in Madrid? That will be answered in a few days.
Sergio Llull as Quicksilver
The special power of Pietro Maximov, a.k.a. Quicksilver, is that he moves in superhuman speed. Is there a player in the Final Four who is more fitting for this description other than the explosive guard of Real Madrid? As a member of the backcourt trio of Real, together with Rudy and Sergio Rodriguez, Llull is the base of his team’s gameplan. You just can’t stop him in transition and when his shots connect from the three points line, he is devastating. And he is like Quicksilver. You never get to see who “killed” you, it was just a blur…