“Real Madrid is definitely playing best basketball in Europe until now,” CSKA head coach Ettore Messina said. “They play with poise, with good focus showing great results and numbers. Unfortunately we cannot rely on Kyle Hines again, so it will be difficult for us but I hope we will be able to play up to the level of this legendary rivalry.”
Hines continues to rehab his injured right ankle and practices individually. Real Madrid will miss Jaycee Carroll who does not fly to Moscow.
Give us love!
Javier Gancedo, euroleague.net for cskabasket.com
Real Madrid has always been respected around Europe, but it is difficult to remember a better version than this. Madrid is undefeated in all competitions – won the Spanish Supercup and did not lose a game in the Spanish League or the Turkish Airlines Euroleague – and has beaten every opponent playing a fun-to-watch, run-and-gun game that has convinced media experts and fans. Indeed, Madrid is followed these days even in road games, selling out everywhere. Head coach Pablo Laso opted to keep the core of the team and add two very important pieces in the middle – and the results are seen on court.
Perhaps a certain action of a certain Euroleague game defined Madrid’s season better than anything else. It was a home game against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, in which playmaker Sergio Rodriguez was fouled before sending a midcourt alleyoop pass to big man Marcus Slaughter for a huge dunk. The referees called the foul and everybody complained. No problem. Rodriguez made the free throws, Madrid got a quick defensive stop and Rodriguez sent an alleyoop pass from beyond midcourt to Slaughter, who jumped high for a more spectacular, show-stopping slam, igniting thousands of fans at Palacio de los Deportes, where it is always showtime. Madrid always tries to go the extra mile, provide the extra highlight, make people like what they see.
It is the winningest club in European competitions, lifting eight Euroleague titles since its first win back in 1964. Only one of those titles, however, came in the last three decades. Some of the biggest basketball stars in European basketball have wore white over the years – Emiliano Rodriguez, Clifford Luyk, Wayne Hightower, Wayne Brabender, Walter Szczerbiak, Fernando Martin, Juan Antonio Corbalan, Drazen Petrovic, Joe Arlauckas, Arvydas Sabonis, Dejan Bodiroga… and two Russians, Jose Biriukov and Mikhail Mikhailov. Players like Rodriguez, Sergio Llull, Rudy Fernandez and Nikola Mirotic are now trying to enter Madrid’s history in golden letters.
Only three players were added in summer. One of them, Dani Diez, returned to the club and doesn’t see much playing time. The biggest addition has been Ioannis Bourousis, who has given Madrid power, intimidation and experience at center. Salah Mejri is an intriguing prospect, a 217cm Tunisian big man with great coordination and timing. Both players adapted to the team in record time, giving Coach Laso plenty of alternatives, especially on defense. The defensive backbone of the team stays the same, led by Dontaye Draper, Slaughter and Tremmell Darden, who did not play the Euroleague last season but helped the team win the Spanish League title.
CSKA faces a big challenge – be the first time to defeat Madrid this season. Until now, Madrid has been able to knock off every opponent, often by a large amount of points. Strong defense leads to a run-and-gun game in which everybody feels important. Expect nothing but a huge showdown between two legendary sports rivals who have been battling against each other for more than five decades. If both teams live up to the expectations, this is set to be an instant classic.
