By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Although last week incidents were reported just in four locations, the idea that peace is at hand was nothing but a mirage. Crime rates are still getting higher and higher. In the Spanish city of Vitoria, in Krasnodar and Moscow of Russia, and of course in Istanbul, Turkey, vicious gang wars took place. In front of innocent bystanders the most hideous of acts were committed.
Shots in cold blood, vicious dunks and lightning-quick steals were recorded and five more alleged perpetrators were taken into custody. Again, however, arrest was proven futile. Despite the fact that all of them are more than well known to the authorities, they were released. It’s time for decisions to be made, or else no one can be trusted by the public, which is watching in awe as the stakes are higher than ever. Here, then, are the latest additions to the most-wanted list.
Kyle Hines: He goes by the nickname of “Sir” and is always being polite and soft-spoken. He may stop traffic in order to help an old lady across the street, but this doesn’t change the fact that he is ruthless when he needs to be. He gained fame as a member of the Piraeus gang and he continues wearing red, but does so now for CSKA Moscow. Against Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade, he was brutal last week, with 21 points while making 9 of 12 two pointers on Tuesday and then with 19 points after missing just one shot on Thursday. Having marauded in the springtime before, he seems to be warming up again.
Juan Carlos Navarro: “Don” Juan Carlos has the longest-running criminal career, according to the official records, of any of the criminals in the land. And last week he put out that word that he should continue to be feared and respected. He traveled all the way to Krasnodar in order to face the up-and-comers of the Lokomotiv Kuban gang. On Wednesday, he laid low, scoring just 2 points. But things were different come Friday night. The aftermath of his onslaught was 18 points with 4 out of 6 three-pointers rifled in, plus 3 assists and 2 rebounds. The Godfather of Barcelona Lassa was back…
Ekpe Udoh: This former bouncer from the States had turned out to be one of the most feared enforcers in Europe after making his new base in Istanbul and working for the Fenerbahce gang. The way he operates can’t be considered a surprise any more. Against Real Madrid, which is desperately trying to stay on top of the underworld, he scored 18 points last Thursday, after 10 points on Tuesday, making two blocks each day and basically becoming a monster in the paint. You just can’t match his ferocity. And once all his damage is done, he’s all smiles.
Darius Adams: They say that you can’t judge anyone by his looks and that’s his case. This alleged serial killer who has been spotted in Vitoria during the last months never stops until he finds target. Against Panathinaikos Athens, he had a total of 44 points in two encounters, on Wednesday and Friday. He just shoots and shoots, until there’s no one left standing to try to stop him any longer. He doesn’t shoot at the basket, he machine-guns it. No surprise, perhaps, that as happened before in many cases, no one from the locals wanted to testify against him.
Nikola Kalinic: He is also a former bouncer from Belgrade and like Udoh, he is doing more than his job for Fenerbahce Istanbul. It’s well known that he is not the least bit afraid to get his hands dirty, as he proved by ripping a total of 13 rebounds in two games against Real Madrid. However, he also added an unexpected total of 23 points, making 11 out of his 15 shots. It can’t get much more lethal than this and we should have expected as much from him. Despite its casualties, Fenerbahce once again dominated in Istanbul against the Euroleague champions.
Art credit: JPsportart