By Semih Tuna / buzar@eurohoops.net
Avengers – Infinity War is dominating cinemas all over the world. Being cast by talented actors, the movie matched the expectations of filmgoers and comic book fans.
And in European basketball, the EuroLeague “Avengers” are back! You might remember the 2015 version but unfortunately and unlike Marvel studios, we had to recast!
Along with the reigning champs Fenerbahce Dogus, CSKA Moscow, Real Madrid and Zalgiris Kaunas will fight in the Infinity War of the European basketball and they will all try to raise the EuroLeague trophy of 2018 in their hands.
While making our choices, we took into consideration the similarities between the basketball stars and superheroes. Moreover, we came to a point of writing an appropriate story for the superhero universe. Still, we would be glad to hear your take in a crossover between the Earth’s mightiest heroes and the EuroLeague’s top stars!
And if you have not seen the movie yet, don’t worry! This article is spoiler free. But enough with the prologue. It’s time to meet the EuroLeague Avengers!
Captain America – Nando De Colo
CSKA Moscow‘s leader is also Eurohoops’s Avengers’ leader! Being one of the best players of this season and considered as the MVP for many, Nando De Colo is similar to Captain America in so many aspects. Talking about his “transformation”, Captain American acquired superpowers after a military experiment.
The French guard was also a really good player, but he started dominating European basketball right after coming back from the NBA and the States. Just like the fact that Captain America was the leader of an army, De Colo is the leader of the “Army Team.” Furthermore, they both are always cool and never give up even when things go downhill. We saw Captain America taking initiatives without hesitation in the battleground many times. De Colo, also, is not afraid of taking responsibility.
Ironman – Jan Vesely
A song from AC/DC, some brilliant lights, an amazing visual greatness and a flying Ironman taking the stage with incredible moves! That is a common scene in all Iron Man and Avengers movies. Just close your eyes for a single moment and try to imagine a basketball player doing all these things: It is simply impossible to think anybody else than Jan Vesely! There are innumerous similarities between Fenerbahce Dogus’s Czech big man and Iron Man.
Let us start with the easiest one: They both can fly wherever they want! They are both larger than life and reluctant leaders, being emotional and ready to act. There is no denying a simple fact: The better Vesely is, the more intense game and atmosphere the reigning champs have.
And plus, they both enjoy it! Iron Man never stops talking while beating bad guys and he does not shy away from joking. Vesely, as well, enjoys what he does on the court and he is not quiet at all. Imagine him screaming gloriously after a thunderous dunk, greeting his friends on the courtside or joking around his teammates on the bench and you’ll find out that we are right.
Spiderman – Luka Doncic
The youngest and also the most sympathetic and amusing member of the Avengers. Having joined Avengers family in the Civil War, this renovated Spiderman had become the new fan favorite. He is a bit immature and also an entertaining character. It is not hard at all to choose the youngest and most sympathetic guy of the European basketball for this role. Having a fascinating season in Real Madrid, Luka Doncic is the Spiderman in our Infinity War!
Peter Parker need to be bitten by a spider in order to gain superpowers. Luka Doncic was bitten by the basketball bug at an early age and his skills are supernatural. And in both cases with great powers, comes great responsibility as Doncic is leading Real Madrid to greatness.
Furthermore, Doncic’s ever-smiling face and sometimes childish manners make him even more sympathetic. Most of the time, he is the guy to be impressed by his own success. Just like the Spiderman, who sees the other superheroes in the battleground and cannot hide his astonishment!
Real Madrid has suffered many injuries and difficulties during the season, but they never fell into desperation as they had their own superhero in Luka Doncic. Now, they are moving onwards to the biggest fight of the season and Luka’s web is ready to attract even NBA teams.