The biggest moments from this week in the League.
Power
The League’s top contenders flexed their muscles over the weekend. CSKA, UNICS, Zenit, and Lokomotiv-Kuban earned convincing wins, each scoring over 100 points. Khimki was the only exception, squeaking out a win in Minsk. After some early surprises, these teams are right where they were expected to be: At the top of the standings.
Late Drama
Khimki traveled to Minsk without Jacob Pullen, Markel Brown, Jeremy Evans, Robbie Hummel, and captain Sergey Monia. Their absence was felt in the final minutes of the game as Tsmoki erased a double-digit deficit. Both teams had a chance to win late, but the Yellow-Blues held on for victory, led by Stanislav Ilnitsky.
Beauty
Enisey couldn’t match Zenit, but the fans did get to enjoy several impressive moments from the home team, specifically Frank Elegar. Though he didn’t always keep up on defense, the American big man had some pretty moves at the other end.
Threading the Needle
Alexey Shved’s scintillating pass to Dmitry Sokolov
Conflict
Dimitris Itoudis and Aaron Jackson got into it during the 1st quarter of CSKA’s win over Nizhny. With CSKA trailing 11-4, Itoudis called a timeout and stormed onto the court to confront Jackson. Cory Higgins and captain Viktor Khryapa also inserted themselves into the conversation. In the end, Jackson went to the locker room and didn’t return until the second half, dressed in street clothes.
“We’re all emotional. This is men’s sport. I love Jackson, like all of my players,” Itoudis said after the game.
Overhaul
Vladimir Rodionov could not sit by idly and watch as Avtodor lost a club-record five consecutive games. Sergei Mokin remains the head coach, but the team is getting reinforcements. Former Chicago Bull and Brooklyn Net Marquis Teague has been added to the backcourt, while Vince Hunter will strengthen the frontcourt. The big man never played in the NBA, but does have experience in the Summer League and preseason games.
Parted Ways
Lokomotiv-Kuban parted ways with Kenny Gabriel. Thing didn’t work out in Krasnodar for Gabriel, who tagged as one of Loko’s most promising new players during the summer and expected to have a leadership role on the team.
Gabriel wasn’t the only high-profile foreign player to leave the League this week. CSKA decided not to extend NBA champion Jeff Ayre’s contract, while Enisey said goodbye to guard Maalik Wayns.
Blitzkrieg
Parma is hunting for its first win of the season, but got rocked in the 1st quarter against Astana. The Kazakh club played exemplary basketball to pick up a 25-10 lead and cruise to victory. Parma has to wait at least one more week to celebrate a victory.
Suit
Jeremy Evans has only been with Khimki for a few weeks and he’s already attracting attention with his high-flying style of play. The NBA Slam Dunk contest winner didn’t play this week, but he did give a terrific interview, sharing that he received his very first suit from former Jazz teammate and current RBF president Andrei Kirilenko. The NBA dress code forced Evans to exchange his jeans and t-shirts for something more respectable, and Kirilenko was there to help out.
Stat
43 – Loko’s margin of victory vs. VEF. Sasa Obradovic was certainly being honest when he said the game against Riga would be the stiffest test his team had faced since he took over. Nonetheless, Krasnodar made quick work of VEF, drilling 14 of 24 3-pointers en route to the League’s biggest point total of the season. Prior to Sunday, the Red-Greens had only scored more than 90 points once (93).
Teamwork
Fear
Kalev head coach Alar Varrak:
– I think UNICS just scared us in the beginning. The team plays in the Euroleague. We trailed by 20 points in the first half. During the second half, of course, we woke up and started playing without fear. It wasn’t a bad game against a Euroleague team. They have a good team, good coaches, and contend for a championship in the VTB United League every year. It’s tough playing them on the road.
Newcomer
This was UNICS guard Orlando Johnson’s second game in the League, but there’s no question he’s going to have a big impact and could contend for a spot in the All-Star Game.
Stars
Quino Colom (UNICS)
Like last week, Colom played almost the entire game (36 minutes). He took advantage, finishing with 21 points, 15 assists, six rebounds, and a 36 efficiency rating.
Stanislav Ilnitsky (Khimki)
With almost half the roster missing, Ilnitsky played a career-high 33 minutes. He also went 5-6 inside the arc to finish with 12 points and seven rebounds, one of which turned out to be huge. Ilnitsky is proving he can be trusted in big moments.
Ian Miller (Astana)
Miller recorded the most points (30) and highest efficiency rating (37) of the weekend, laying the foundation for Astana’s road win.
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