The NBA is back in action with players returning to the US from all over Europe to compete in the best league in the world. However, Russia has not really been affected, with only Timofey Mozgov leaving.
Many stars, like Andrey Kirilenko have decided to stay in Europe, rather than move back to the US. And AK 47’s decision has earned praise from one of his rivals.
“I think it says a lot about Russian basketball,” Matt Nielsen, a Khimki forward, said. “His loyalty to the country, I think it’s great.”
Khimki were the only Russian club that was seriously affected by the resumption of the NBA, losing their star center, Timofey Mozgov, who rejoined the Denver Nuggets.
However, his former teammate Neilson says the Russian made the right move by going back stateside.
“I think this player has got his own course and he’s got to go for it,” he explained. “There’s no doubt that NBA is the best league in the world. He’s trying to make his own niche over there and everyone here wishes him the best.”
Chris Quinn joined Khimki just before the lockout started. The point guard signed a one-year contract, so he would not have been able to return stateside even if he had wanted to.
However, the New Orleans native says the suspension of the NBA has given him a wonderful opportunity he would otherwise never have experienced.
“I’ve learned a lot on the court and off the court,” he said. “Basketball is a lot different here than in the NBA and adjusting to a new culture has also been a little bit of a challenge for myself and my family. It’s been fun as well.”
Russian clubs were hardly affected by the resumption of the NBA, mainly because so few players left America to find work in Europe.
This was partly due to the high wage demands of the players, but also due to the very high insurance costs, which put a lot of potential clubs off hiring some of the NBA’s top talent.
So the Russian basketball fans were not able to enjoy the same high profile names that Russian hockey fans were able to witness following the NHL lockout in 2004, when the likes of Vincent LeClavier and Pavel Datsyuk played in Russia.
Nevertheless, the NBA lockout has given fans the chance to witness some of Russia’s best players again, and for fans of CSKA Moscow they are in for an added bonus, with Kirilenko definitely staying with the Army Men till the end of the season.