02-06-2009   CROATIAN LEAGUE FINALS - GAME 3

Air America leads Cibona to 2-1 lead over Zadar

For the last couple of months, I kept putting off writing about an American player who listens to the Croatian national anthem and aims to play for the Croatian NT some day.

Now, when it's obvious that this guy is definitely MVP of the Croatian league and might as well end up being the next MVP of  the Israeli or some other European National Championship, it's inevitable we address some issues regarding Cibona's swingman Alan Anderson.

The first time I saw him play (@ Zadar on 03-01-2009) I thought his best edition could be something like Derek Anderson. Although Cibona made it clear that they spent a decent amount of money on this ex-Bobcat, there wasn't anything in his performance that would indicate that he would be anything special.

Things rapidly changed over the course of the past few months. Throughout the second phase of Euroleague and the closing phase of the Adriatic League, the American journeyman proved that not only he can fill the role of the go-to-guy for which was he brought here, but that he can also sense what his team needs most in any given moment of the game, whether it is an assist to an open man, a bunch of rebounds, or a big block.

Anderson's performance yesterday in Game 3 of the Croatian League Finals was definitely something to see. I didn't want to miss his game since it maybe be the last AA game in Zagreb...

Faced with the some of the guys from Zadar he might play against in the Croatian NT camp someday (Peric, Rancic, Johnson...) Anderson demonstrated unparalleled court-sense, vision and skill reminiscent of some of the great players in the history of the basketball:

- his backing in with the ball from the perimeter to the baseline and reaction when being doubled in the form of a spectacular no look behind the back bounce pass for an uncontested dunk reminded me of Magic Johnson's passing ability

- his driving reverse lay up on the left side, while skipping away from triple-team, reminded me of Michael Jordan's scoop shoot ability

- his 3-1 breakaway solution in the form of a spectacular two-handed slam over the lone opposing point guard reminded me of some VC/TMac Raptors sequences

- his block from nowhere of the uncontested left lay-up and breakaway pinon Marin Rozic reminded me of Charles Barkley's overall versatility

If I would need to compare AA with just one of above mentioned players it would be Charles Barkley. Both are 6'6'' players who can handle the ball, score from outside/inside, rebound, and do whatever their team needs to win. Anderson is, of course, superlight weight category compared to Sir Charles, but is evidently tenacious defender.

Anderson's only visible weak point is long-distance shooting. He sometimes gets carried away trying to build up a shooting streak, and sometimes it is clear to everyone in the building that it's not his night.

It seems that Cibona's coaching staff is very aware of that and they have generally let him loose on the floor, let him run his show which has become Cibona's general style of play especially in the last couple of games.

Having all that in mind it is also important to address Anderson's eagerness to play for the Croatian NT in the upcoming EC.

Although the majority of the fans and players are opposed to his engagement in NT actions because he might "turn one of the strongest European NTs into the AA team", there are also other, but still lone and separated voices.

Legendary Croatian coach Mirko Novosel, who raised Drazen Petrovic to the international level, believes that the Croatian NT currently lacks a small forward of Anderson's overall characteristics. Although Novosel is generally right, I find it hard to believe that Novosel names only Marko Tomas as someone in the same league as Anderson.

What about Rozic, Rudez and Peric? Maybe these players are not on the same physical level as Anderson but they fit more in coach Repesa's system and they are all, except for Rozic, most likely better long-distance shooters than Anderson.

You could say that the scarce playing time of future Croatian star Tomislav Zubcic is a direct result of Anderson's huge playing time, but that has nothing to do with AA. Bottom line of this problem is that Cibona's coaching staff and namely no one else is dealing the cards, and Zubcic is 100% ready to see some more minutes on even on shooting guard position. Can't believe it? You've missed this piece of evidence...

Anderson has willingly demonstrated the will to sit on the bench if it's in the team's best interest to play without him. I think we could expect the same development in the NT, which would certainly be clear after the series of preparation games.

One of the arguments some of the people I talked about this subject with had was that if the Croatian NT would beat some other NT in some important game, then the media would characterize this as a "Croatia with Anderson" win.

If you are supporter of this theory let me remind you that some of greatest victory of Italian NT in 90ties were catalyzed by Fucka & Myers. Russia's got Holden these days. Greece's got Baby Shaq. Germany's got Kaman. Plus many others...

If Anderson would somehow be cleared to play for the Croatian NT I am almost sure that his presence would propel the Croatian NT in the  way that Kobe Bryant's presence propelled Team USA in the Beijing Olympics. The question is do we want to be propelled?

This is a new century. The game has become truly global. Boundaries are part of history, not only in sports, which is exactly what Anderson is telling us. OK, maybe his agent is encouraging him to tell us, so what? Let it be.


Is this our big chance, or we are letting it all slip away to Israel?

Think about it. The time is now.





PREVIOUS POSTS BY MARJAN CRNOGAJ:

CROHOOPS WEEKLY REPORT 17-04-2009
NIKE HOOP SUMMIT 2009