After having the original date for the game set back a day from Christmas, Allen Iverson and Beşiktaş Cola Turka punished Pınar Karşıyaka on Boxing Day instead, 89-65; Karşıyaka had pulled off a 101-98 upset of Euroleague contenders Fenerbahçe Ülker last week but was not to reproduce their fortune in this game.
In his return from a knee injury that had keep him off the court for about two weeks, Iverson went for 20 points on 5-of-11 overall shooting (including 4-of-7 on threes) and three assists, including this very sweet behind-the-back pass in transition to Team Australia’s A.J. Oglivy:
Ogilvy turned in a monster 20-point, 11-rebound performance in just 23 minutes of court time, while in just his second game with the club, Murat Nuri Kutlu was good for 14 points. Cevher Özer went for 15 and nine rebounds, while Mire Chatman added 13 and seven rebounds.
Beşiktaş is currently at 7-3 in TBL play, good for sixth place on the TBL table behind leaders Fenerbahçe at 10-1. The Eagles next play at Tofaş (3-8) on Wednesday.
Tags: A.J. Ogilvy, Allen Iverson, Beşiktaş Cola Turka, Cevher Ozer, Fenerbahce Ülker, Mire Dejuan Chatman, Murat Nuri Kutlu, Pinar Karsiyaka, TBL, Team Australia, Tofaş, Turkey
I was a bit concern as he has missed a few games already and there were rumours about him being unhappy with life in Turkey. Great to see him back and performing like this. I’m sure this performance will “Answer” all those critics who have always doubted him. I hope he can keep this up and perhaps he might just the MVP for the Turkish league.
Pinar Karsiyaka players and coaches had been attacked in Cyprus earlier last week. They wanted the Turkish Basketball Federation to postpone the game but the game was delayed just for one day. To protest the federation, Pinar Karsiyaka played with the youth squad. Even the coach was not there. This is the reason for this huge win and it should not be considered as a league game.
ekehale – That’s crazy.
Yep, here is what happened at the APOEL – Karsiyaka EuroChallenge game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMxYIJWvONY
For the American NBA fans that obviously don’t know, the EuroChallenge is the third level European competition, the one below the Eurocup where Iverson plays. Euroleague is the top level.
So yes, Karsiyaka played with this game against Besiktas with their youth squad, and not their senior team.
Wow. I’ve never seen fighting like that at the pro level. (Even the brawl between the Pacers and Pistons was minor compared to this.)
Is The Helicopter quitting BC Kimki to join The Answer??
http://www.eurobasket.com/Turkey/basketball.asp?NewsID=213289
[...] TBL table, Beşiktaş (7-5) managed to hold onto sixth place with the loss but are now tied with Pınar Karşıyaka, the team Beşiktaş torched on December 26. Galatasaray (11-2) is tied at the top with [...]