As the "rest of the world" catches up to the United States in the sport of basketball, it seems worth considering how other world events have impacted the global hoops scene. Namely, the end of Communist imperialism has split up a few would-be basketball powers.Consider the former U.S.S.R., which includes present day nations Russia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, the Ukraine and more. Lithuania is among the best teams going into the Olympic hoops tournament. Russia is the reigning European champion, having beat Spain in Spain last summer. Here's a sample starting line-up for the mythical Team U.S.S.R.
Sarunas Jasikevicius: The top non-NBA point guard in the world.
Ramunas Siskauskas: The reigning Euroleague MVP.
Linas Kleiza: A top-flight scorer and rebounder from the forward position.
Andrei Kirilenko: The best Russian ever to play in the NBA.
Andris Biedrins: $63 million.
Off the bench: Zaza Pachulia, Darius Songaila, Viktor Khryapa, Martynas Andriuskevicius, Arvydas Macijauskas, maybe Zydrunas Ilgauskas, if he disobeys the Cavaliers. That's not a gold medal team perhaps. But it is sure good enough to make Team USA sweat.
Team Yugoslavia wouldn't be as potent, though a Beno-Sasha-Peja-Nenad-Darko squad actually looks pretty good.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-07-2008 @ 10:54PM
mcjesus666 said...
this whole premise is ridiculous! The "mythical" russian team? How bout the "mythical" team USA including the greatest players to ever play? Better yet, how bout the "mythical" team russia playing a truely mythical team with a starting five of harry potter (a wizard at the point), king arthur (the true king!), a minatour (a beast on the boards!), medusa (she'll petrify you when going to the rack!), and hercules (great 'D"!). With Zesus, Pegasus, and Neo coming off the bench those mere mortal commies wouldn't stand a chance! THIS IS THE DUMBEST THING I HAVE EVER READ AND HAVE MYSELF BECOME DUMBER FOR READING AND RESPONDING TO THIS "ARTICLE".
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8-07-2008 @ 10:58PM
Tom said...
By "mythical" I meant the Soviet team does not exist. Like your "mythical" sense of humor.
8-08-2008 @ 1:02AM
Matt said...
Based on #1's user name I would guess something might be just a bit off.
The funny thing is that based on the way this US team has played, they are very prone to an upset. Frankly if you pull KB and LBJ off this team they aren't any better than the previous groups that have lost to foreign competition.
Carmelo Anthony being considered one of the best American players is an absolute joke. Zero defense and way overconfident on offense is not a good combination.
I tossed a little on Spain at 9:2 and Argentina at 9:1 just in case something happens to the two big guys.
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8-08-2008 @ 1:25AM
henryclemente said...
A "reunited" team? Maybe not. But if the USSR still existed and these guys had been playing with each other since they were 11 years old? Scary.
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8-08-2008 @ 4:35AM
MCJESUS666 said...
just trying to distinguish the differance between the "former USSR" and a "Mythical USSR". You are a bunch of douch bags! Get a sense of humor! Everyone knows what you meant...idiot! Ask McCain about Yugoslavia!!!!
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