By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Crime rates have skyrocketed and there’s no answer to why all the well-known perpetrators are not being held into custody or where the EuroLeague trophy is hidden.
The mystery remains and the five arrests made this week didn’t provide any new clues that could help the police. Even if, once again, the suspects were usual.
Bradley Wanamaker: What happened in Bamberg was almost storybook material. “The Bull” returned to Germany, working now for Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul and he didn’t have any mercy on his old gang. Brose Bamberg just couldn’t stop him as he went berserk with 30 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. It was a gruesome sight, the arrest was made, but it was a mere formality. He is already back in Istanbul preparing for the big showdown with Crvena Zvezda MTS Belgrade.
K.C. Rivers: He had to face the Red Army, but he didn’t flinch for a moment. Already a local hero in the Greek capital, the sniper of Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens led the charge with 17 points against CSKA Moscow. In theory the odds were not in favor of the Greeks, but Rivers turned the tables with his efficiency, hitting when nobody was expecting him to. Cold-blooded as always, he didn’t demonstrate any sign of remorse when arrested.
Ilimane Diop: Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz is proving to be a hydra. Cut one head and two new ones will emerge. This time the new face was a young bouncer, seen many times operating with the biggest and more-respected underworld names of this gang. Finally, he himself exploded, seizing a new personal-high scoring record of 18 points on the turf of Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul. Baskonia cleared out the bank and Diop is one more addition from the Basque country to the most wanted list.
Tyler Honeycutt: This jack of all trades for Anadolu Efes Istanbul emerged again on his home base, ambushing mighty Olympiacos Piraeus. He did every possible crime from 11 points and 11 rebounds to 6 assists as his gang continues to gain in notoriety. The bottom line is simple for him. He will not hesitate to do anything for his boss, no matter what will happen to his victims.
Andrea Cinciarini: There were rumors about a new “capo” at Milan and he has finally shown his face. The new captain of EA7 Emporio Armani Milano – with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals – spearheaded a daring road heist against Zalgiris Kaunas and proved that the Italians deserve more respect than many might have given them credit for. Even if they have lost valuable ground, they are always dangerous and they can be a threat even outside their territory.