By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
It may be the holidays, but crime knows no rest. While peace-loving citizens all around the old continent were occupied by the holiday spirit, five more arrests were made.
And even if the alleged criminals were once again released, it’s obvious that everyone has to be alert. Don’t let the jolly mood fool you. The EuroLeague trophy is still missing and the suspects are piling up…
Scotty Wilbekin: A new addition to the most-wanted list was found operating in Istanbul, like many other ambitious criminals. And this week, he owned the city! He started with 22 points against Fenerbahce Istanbul and then he shocked Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv with 23, having hit by week’s end a total 10 out of 17 long-range three-point shots. He can explode at any time, being a danger to everyone and the Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul gang may have found a new leader.
Aaron Jackson: This is his second arrest and he was one of the first names in the most wanted list. The suspicions proved to be right as CSKA Moscow is still reigning supreme in the underworld and he is one of the key members of this shady organization. He saved the day for the Russians in Israel against Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv with 12 points, 5 assists and 3 steals and also did his part against Fenerbahce with 11 points and 6 assists. It was not enough in the second showdown but he is still one of the most stylish rogues around.
Art Parakhouski: While the authorities are on the lookout 24/7 for Keith Langford, this bulky bouncer is getting the job done for Unics Kazan. It’s strange but this was just his first arrest, even if his name is considered to be part of the upper echelon of the underwold.That was proven against Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks and even more against Zalgiris Kaunas. Kazan and Parakhouski came from behind and when the smoke cleared he had 24 points, missed only one shot and also had 4 rebounds.
Mike James: He made his name as catburgler in Vitoria, but his new base is Athens. And since there is no place for sentimentalities in crime, he proved that he is ice-cold with 15 points and 3 rebounds against his former employers of Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz, as Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens prevailed and caught them in the standings. He was even more lethal in Milan against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan. He put up quite a dazzling show with 19 points,7 rebounds and 3 assists, mesmerizing bypassers and carabinieri alike.
Bobby Dixon: Also known from last year as the “Munich strangler”, he is one of Fenerbahce’s leaders. He has a short temper and when he explodes, he is manic! That’s what happened in Moscow against the notorious CSKA. While the Russians thought they had things under control, he sent the contest to overtime, then scored 11 of his 25 pojnts in the extra five minutes and also had 3 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. That’s where he got arrested. Before that he had a pretty tame night, for his standards, against Darussafaka Dogus with just 10 points. That was one more chip on his shoulder in the big showdown in Moscow.