By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
While a pattern all around Europe is emerging and the authorities hope that it may hold the key for clues that may lead to the missing EuroLeague trophy, five more arrests were made – only to be proven futile once again.
It’s no surprise anymore not only that the alleged criminals were released, but also that in four cases their names are more than well known to the police. This was not their first arrests and it probably won’t be their last. Still, nothing changes and nobody knows why such dangerous wrongdoers are back on the street.
Fabien Causeur: Last year he was arrested in Vitoria, this time he was picked up in Bamberg. While he changed his base of operation, this French racketeer didn’t change his ways. However, this was the first time that he ended up scoring 28 points, to go along with 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 turnover. The Brose gang has lost some of its reputation recently, due to bad results, still Anadolu Efes Istanbul was subdued on German soil.
Bradley Wanamaker: Trading places? He was an enforcer for Brose Bamberg last year, he was arrested in Bavaria, but now he moved up and operates from Istanbul. He is presumed to be the leader of the Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul gang and his rap sheet does not indicate anything to say otherwise. He did almost everything by himself with 27 points against the infamous Real Madrid crew and he is ready to hit again.
Vladimir Micov: It seems strange that this Serbian sharpshooter has not been arrested in the past. Still, his reputation precedes him. He is accurate and deadly, as he proved against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in a time of need for his gang, Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul. Micov had 23 points on 5-for-8 three-point shooting, and even if he made 5 turnovers, that doesn’t change the fact that he never missed from the free throw line and got the job done.
Nick Calathes: This is the second time this year that he ends up giving a testimony before getting released against all odds, but Nick the Greek will not stop his misdeeds. During one of the messy showdowns of last week he proved again that his talents are many. He provided 16 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists and 5 steals for Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens, all of them against mighty Fenerbahce Istanbul. And he did it without batting an eyelash.
Cory Higgins: The notorious CSKA Moscow gang is like hydra. You never know who is going to hit you. This time, it was Higgins. He seems to hold a grunge against FC Barcelona Lassa. Last year, he was arrested for scoring 20 points against them and this time he did it again with 23 points. He didn’t reveal during his testimony why he acts this way every time he meets the Spaniards, but it’s obvious that they have to keep an eye out for him.