PUR/RUS/USA - AK47 gives Barea’s team a step up in quality

MINNEAPOLIS (NBA) - Jose Barea didn’t have the luxury of working alongside Andrei Kirilenko this summer when both played at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caracas, Venezuela.

Barea’s Puerto Rican national side fell short of its aim of reaching the London Games, unlike Kirilenko’s Russia.

Kirilenko led Russia to an unbeaten record in Caracas, and then to a bronze medal at the Olympics.

Now Kirilenko has joined Barea in Minnesota with the Timberwolves.

While the NBA has had several teams with more than one terrific international player on the roster before, perhaps none have had such a huge influence of players from outside the United States before as the T-Wolves do now.

Kirilenko’s arrival has made an already cosmopolitan team even more so.

And most important for Barea and his teammates, Kirilenko looks as if he could just tilt the balance in their favor as they go after a top-eight finish in the Western Conference to seal a place in the playoffs.

"Kirilenko does everything,” Barea said.

“I haven't been playing alongside him a lot but I already feel comfortable with him.

"He is unselfish, always makes the extra pass, he doesn't stop moving on defense, blocks a lot of shots and covers space.

“With him, everything is a lot easier.”

When the T-Wolves get Spain international Ricky Rubio back, after he completes his recovery from a serious knee injury, they will be loaded with international stars.

Kevin Love of Team USA remains the most important part of the team while Nikola Pekovic of Montenegro should be very influential again after having off-season ankle surgery.

Then there is the arrival of Kirilenko’s Russia teammate, Alexey Shved, a sharpshooting guard who will bolster an already potent backcourt.

Brandon Roy, who was once in the mix for a spot on the Team USA roster, has come out of retirement to play for Minnesota.

There are other newcomers.

Minnesota, with many a player that will feature at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain in two years, definitely have the look of a side that is going to make the NBA post-season.

“I’m super happy because, although there are eight new players, everyone is on the same page and we know what is required for this team to reach the playoffs,” Barea said.

FIBA