By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The question about what’s really going on remains. There’s no sign yet of the stolen trophy and the tension is high in every Turkish Airlines EuroLeague gym. Are the police efforts just a charade? Is anyone safe? Why is Istanbul mentioned most often? We still don’t have any real answer, but here are the alleged criminals who were arrested once more.
Bradley Wanamaker: Again he appeared to as the leader of the Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul gang and refused to show any mercy to Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens. He did most of the heavy lifting himself – with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals – committing every possible misdeed against the Greeks. No matter how things pan out in the end for his crew, he has already earned his stripes in the underworld.
Melih Mahmutoglu: At this point he is a well-known member of the Fenerbahce Istanbul crime organization, so it came as no surprise when he was recognized and arrested in Kaunas. Against Zalgiris, he proved once again that he is an elite sniper, not missing once in four long-range shots and scoring 14 points in just 11 minutes of action. He is already back in Turkey, getting ready for his next strike.
Derrick Brown: With Anadolu Efes Istanbul rising, his name has appeared again. He was a real juggernaut against Unics Kazan in Russia, where he has been seen in the past. In a bitter duel that ended in overtime, he led the Turks to the prize with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. His was among four Istanbul-based crews that emerged triumphant this week, and if you connect the dots you can understand that something big is brewing on the Bosphorus.
Adam Hanga: One of the few remaining members of last season’s Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz crew reminded everyone this week that his posse is still armed and dangerous. He is a jack of all trades, as seen by his 18 points in 20 minutes plus 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and 0 turnovers. His victim was EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and, since this outlaw is a local hero, his arrest was a mere formality before he on the streets again, ready to do more damage.
Jon Diebler: Speaking of snipers, look who is back. Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul is not considered any more a big threat in the power play surrounding Istanbul’s mob, but he is always ready for a hit anyway. And he did that against the front-running “Whites” of Real Madrid, ambushing them by making all five of his long-range shots for 17 points. It may not mean much in the big picture, but Diebler remains wanted by the police as a gun for hire.
Photo Credit: JPsportart