By Vladimir Spivak /info@eurohoops.net
The first thing that draws your attention if you’re new to VTB All-Star is a great quality of sound all over the arena. In Saint Petersburg, it was checked by the performance of Russian rap legend Basta. For the second straight year, it was great to see top basketball players warming up with live soundtrack booming. Basta hit the crowd with a couple of his famous ballads and it was time to start.
Impressive Russian rap legend Basta show ahead of the main action tonight! ???@Eurohoopsnet pic.twitter.com/Uob2bpfrU5
— Vladimir Spivak (@selloutxboy) February 17, 2018
As a Saint Petersburg native game host, Ivan Urgant was especially popular at the arena, it felt like a few fans came to the arena just to hear him joking. He tipped off the game and it was the time for the players to showcase their skills.
Like it was last year, the Russian had a great chemistry and used blind passes in pretty much every second offense. Meanwhile, the World Stars looked much more athletic and aimed to dunk everything.
However, they could still score from the distance as well, like it was proved by Ryan Broekhoff. The Aussie won the 3-pt contest, more than 4000 Euros (in rubles of course) and 2000 liters of car gas. Still not enough to make it to Australia.
.@RBroekhoff45 just won 3-pt contest and 300 000 rubles (4300 euro) and 2000 liters of car gas.
Still not enough to make it to Australia.#vtballstar @Eurohoopsnet pic.twitter.com/a8TncXEC9U
— Vladimir Spivak (@selloutxboy) February 17, 2018
The All-Star dunkers missed Devon Saddler from Tsmoki-Minsk and overall the contest was short-handed. Tyler Honeycutt looked like he wasn’t in-form, and Franck Elegar only needed to dunk well twice to celebrate the trophy.
Another personal trophy for @lokobasket as @Frank_Wriz15 wins what was pretty average slam dunk contest#vtballstar @Eurohoopsnet pic.twitter.com/QjWLfVCgLJ
— Vladimir Spivak (@selloutxboy) February 17, 2018
The Russians had the lead in the actual game even though barely anyone paid attention to the scoreboard. Sergey Karasev was demonstrating his excellent physical shape and a new hairstyle, Sergey Monia was hitting threes and Mikhail Kulagin was enjoying every bit of rare opportunity to play basketball this season.
The fourth quarter was competitive; the world stars really gave a fight. It all went down to the finals possession. Nando de Colo had a chance to win it for the team in blue, but he missed the shot and Chacho Rodriguez didn’t make the shot after his rebound.
The Frenchman wasn’t upset, however.
#VTBAllStar The question of @selloutxboy for the comeback of Team World was to the point and @NandoDeColo spoke only truth pic.twitter.com/ktgGJmk3l0
— Eurohoops.net (@Eurohoopsnet) February 17, 2018
And neither was Stephane Lasme.
But the happiest man after the match was Karasev who added UAZ Patriot to his collection of cars. He’s got three now. Good start for 24-year-old, right?
.@SKgetbuckets has a new vehicle together with #vtballstar MVP title! pic.twitter.com/UhPUyrE9oZ
— Vladimir Spivak (@selloutxboy) February 17, 2018
Ok, to be honest, he couldn’t start the engine! He was shocked to see three pedals at the bottom. But he’ll have time to adjust for sure.
It felt right that the car would stay in Saint Petersburg. The city local definitely deserves it following a great All-Star event.
VTB League has already announced Moscow to host the event in 2019. And the capital will have to challenge St. Pete, like it always does. This time for the glory and fame of basketball.